The viewer can, too. Peterson’s talent of achieving the perfect angle, focus and cropping is an art in itself. A blue sky, green trees and brilliant sun are reflected in a side view of chrome components and hood ornament in a 1931 Cadillac V-12 Sport Phaeton for “Sky Blue.” The grille of a 1930 Duesenberg Model J takes center stage as chrome elements reflect the surrounding landscape in about 10 areas, including the photographer himself, in “Duesey.”
Peterson focused in on the elegant contours of a swan hood ornament on a 1951 green Packard, and allowed the sun’s rays to define it again on the green finish in “Cormorant.” He zeroes in on the beauty of a 1957 Jaguar XK 140, encapsulating the stylized grille and the name of the classic automobile boldly proclaimed below in “Red Cat.” He remembers when he longed for an updated version of that model.
“It was in 1961 when Jaguar introduced the XKE. I thought it was the most beautiful car ever built, and I still do,” said Peterson. “If I could afford it, I’d have one now.”
Actually, Peterson has a small fleet of cars that would make many others envious: a 1972 MGB roadster, a nearly restoration-complete 1959 MGA, and an Infinity EF35. He and his wife also enjoy driving a 2006 BMW 325 convertible. He fondly remembers the details of his first car, a “1953 Ford coupe with a flathead V8 and 3 speed on the column.”
This exhibit also shows off the architectural details of the following: 1920 Miller-Durant race car, 1927 Miller Indianapolis 500 racer, 1937 Bugatti Type 57C roadster, 1931 Miller V16 engine, 1937 supercharged Cord 812, fuel injector stacks on a McLaren Can-Am racer, 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, and a 1931 Stutz Victoria hood ornament.
“Many cars are rolling works of art, something for every taste in style and shape,” stated Peterson, whose go-to camera is a Canon EOS 7D. “I found myself focusing on a certain piece or part of the machine; a shape, a tone, and the way the light played on the design or shape.”
In retirement, Peterson has stayed busy writing an automotive column for the DDN, and captures images for The Associated Press, Reuters, and other local corporations and non-profits.
Peterson has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University. He served as lead photographer/photo editor for “Military Medicine, Unnecessary Danger” that won a Pulitzer Prize in national reporting in 1998. He won First Place in Sports Photography in the U.S. “1985 Pictures of the Year” contest. In addition to hundreds of newspapers, his work has appeared in LIFE, Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and many other periodicals.
WANT TO GO?
What: "Auto, Etc." by Skip Peterson
Where: Art Gallery at the Centerville Police Dept., 155 W. Spring Valley Road.
When: Continues through Feb. 28
Reception: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
More Info: 937-433-7151, skippetersonphotography.com
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