Lucy Vincent Beach, Martha’s Vineyard
THIS IS NOT MY PHOTOGRAPH…please read on
My photography has provided a terrific voice for me over the years ! What I mean by that is, my personality alone is not one that would motivate others to seek me out after chance meetings. My photography, even from an early start in the ’80’s drew the attention of others far more talented and knowledgeable than I. Over the years that has allowed me to engage in meaningful friendships with notables in the photography world that simply wouldn’t have been possible if not for my photography and printing skills. So, with over 80 Stories Behind Every Photograph I hope to keep my photography and Stories Behind fresh and interesting to all who receive these emails. I’m choosing to share some artists and images I believe worthy, this early Christmas present to me is the first. I share this explanation so the next paragraph has some credibility.
Over the years I have come to know, and they to me, some pretty accomplished photographers and patrons in the photo world where I live. I’ve been to the most prominent photography galleries here in the states. Annually, the finest photo galleries in the world bring work to New York City by the most famous photographers, alive or dead which they represent to share and sell to the public. So, when I say I’ve seen enough color imagery over the years to say, a good friend from Meriden, CT is among the finest color visual artists whose imagery I’ve seen in person. 
A photo here of Peter Wnek’s imagery from the Photo Arts Xchange gathering back in early November 2023. Before reading the backstory of this month’s awesome image, check out Peter’s website to get a full appreciation of his talents.
Below is Peter’s Story Behind his photograph:
I remember the balmy May morning in 2018 while still dark with just a hint of predawn light walking onto Lucy Vincent Beach on Martha’s Vineyard. The high cirrus clouds showed promise of a beautiful sunrise sky.
I had briefly scouted the beach for the very first time just about 12 hours previously, confirming that the beach held compositional possibilities for a good photo if the morning elements of light, atmosphere and composition came together for me.
I was quickly drawn to the composition of the somewhat tetrahedral shaped rocks in formation. I set down the tripod and camera, considered the horizon and rock placement and rejoiced as the pastel hues of the sky and clouds began to emerge.
At 5:21am the magic happened. F/10 @ 10 seconds was my choice of exposure to capture the silky movement of the water slipping past the rock formations. It’s always a grand feeling when you finish your photo session and have that knowing that you have a keeper of a photo.
Fast forward a few years and I’m now displaying my work at an outdoor Art Fair and introducing this photo composition that I had “discovered” on that May morning
Within minutes someone walks into my photo booth, points to the photo and quickly identifies it as “From the beach at Martha’s Vineyard”! Thirty minutes later the same scenario plays out and someone else shouts “Hey! The rocks at Martha’s Vineyard!”
So although I naively thought I “discovered” the rocks and never assumed others had, I have yet to see any image of the scene captured like this that has the elements of beauty and energy that this photo has for me. It remains to this day a unique and powerful image that rests on my wall to inspire and reward me with memories of that morning on the beach.
Peter Wnek
Going forward, I’ll continue to share imagery and Back Stories in new and exciting ways to keep my own creative juices fresh and fluid. “Creatives”, people who create evolve in stages, I can easily look back and recall those phases in my own photography career, this shift is nothing more than a new stage and learning curve…Stay tuned, and have a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2024 !!
What a beautiful image that was captured . The right time the right place and patience lead to such a beautiful image. I can only see wow. No doubt that this photographer knew exposure and had a photograph image so the sky and water were captured absent. Absolutely a beautiful image.
Thank you Ira for checking out this month’s Back Story, it’s a 24 x24″ image that hangs among some B&W of mine !!
SS
Really beautiful image, thank you!
The link to Peter´s website does not work on my computer; instead I found https://www.wnekphotoart.com/
Best wishes and a Happy New Year
Thanks again for the heads-up about the link, stay well and happy in 2024 !!
SS
Another one of my favorite times of the day is when the ocean claims the color of the sky and it reveals a perfect reflections of pastels. I’ve seen the seas look purple and pink, almost as if a drop of something may have been put into it to create these magnificent glows. I am sure all his work is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing
D
Thanks as always for commenting with thoughtful comments, love your phrase…”When the ocean claims the color of the sky”. Easy to see you see deep into an image before making your kind observations.
SS
Steve. For starters A. Very Happy 2024 to you and your family. Your writings are magnificent. Your images are without parallel. I am proud to know you as a friend and colleague. I witnessed your growth in this wonderful craft known as photography. You are an inspiration to any inspiring photographer both professional and rank amateur. I am blessed to have one of your images on the wall of my home. God has blessed you with a talent not many have achieved. As a photographic juror, for many years, I had the privilege.to judge your early work. Kepp on making your beautiful pieces of photographic art. True photographic artists NEVER retire.
Thank you Xenophon,
Those are very kind, and inspiring words. As you realized long before me, compliments from fellow visual artists and photographers who know, and understand the challenges are the most rewarding. I wish You and Family all the best of Health and Happiness in 2024 and long beyond !!
SS
Your second sentence resonated with me. My somewhat reserved personality alone is also not one that would motivate other to seek me out or otherwise make a connection. I feel very lucky that my profession and passion has allowed me to associate with the likes of Xenophon Beake and Steve Sherman. I really like this image and really like getting these posts.
Wow! I’m not usually drawn to color images all that often. But this one is full of an energy that speaks to my black and white side….if that makes any sense at all… ~grin~
Thanks for sharing and starting off the new year with such a cool thing!
Have a great year!!
Thanks for sharing Peter’s image. Peter has an amazing eye for beauty and I always enjoy the emotion in his work.
Thanks Bob for reaching out. We both do have some amazing photographers we call friends, awesome fraternity we belong too !