The 2nd image of our 6-week trip to Texas in the summer of 2021 took place in Lima Ohio at the Kewpee fast food hamburger restaurant. The wife and I stumbled upon the first surprise of the trip and decided to eat dinner there. After checking out the menu standing in line inside, we ordered a couple of burgers and huge soft drinks. The burgers were well above McDonalds fare while the price considerably less, as seen in the pix of the receipt. 
Immediately upon seeing this throwback architecture I knew the inspiration for this image would come from one of the most famous images in urban American photography. Petits Mobil by iconic American photographer George Tice is considered a masterpiece on many levels. Tice’s image needs no explanation, it is the height of Seeing Beyond the Moment. I knew my Kewpee image would fall far short, nevertheless well worth showing up before 5am to make an image.
As it happens, recently there was a 57 minute documentary film produced for the PBS network. A good friend and fine large format photographer himself, Peter Bosco was the producer of Seeing Beyond the Moment. Linked here is a YouTube trailer about the film, at the 2:25 mark of the trailer Peter offers his thoughts. The final 25 seconds of the trailer Tice talks about the chance encounter with Petits Mobil, and offers his opinion of the image seen here.
Kewpee is quite an amazing place, I got there on a Friday morning about 4:50am and setup my camera. Inside there were already people working to get ready for a 5:30 am start time. Film, particularly B&W film has no equal when it comes to long exposures and almost unseeable detail. There are a number of little known tricks to accomplish the photograph that is seen at the opening of this month’s Story. Exposure was F 22 @ 40 seconds, which essentially means there was much more exposure given to record the deep shadows. Followed by Normal minus 3 development, which significantly reduces the developer strength but increases time in developer so the bright lights would not become too dense for normal silver printing. 
Seeing Beyond the Moment is a perfect description of the type photography I pursue. Photographers who share my interests must overcome, at least in the eyes of the casual observer, the technological advances of digital forms of capture. Advancements to cell phones and digital cameras are changing everyday, the ease of capturing an event or action are heretofore unheard of. My interest however, lies in capturing a personal reaction or emotion, and then finding a means through wet-process silver printing to convey those emotions. When the average person sees an original wet-process Silver print, many times the response is, “it looks different, but I’m not sure why”.
Meta data on my cell phone tells me the last pix was taken @ 5:32 am.
Very interesting. I always enjoy reading of the power of silver images!
Very nice back story explanation. A moment caught in time.
Hi Tim, always appreciate hearing kind words from my ’70 family.
Appreciate your time to read and reach out Robert.
I love this image. It’s so sharp you could cut yourself on it and the tonal range is amazing. Love the back story.
Thank you Michael for such kind words, always appreciate hearing from a fellow LF photographer who understands the challenge we face with this type photography.
Very inspirational!
Thanks very much Tim, kind thoughts from my friend and photography equal.
Wow. It pays to look closely at other artists! Up until now, I knew little about George Tice. Feeling ignorant, I’ll be spending a lot of time going forward, looking at George Tice. Thank you for this story.
I look forward to your posts every month, but this one is extra special! Thank you.
Thanks Rick, appreciate your time to critique and offer kind words. Most of all your desire to broaden your own photography horizons after years of commercial success in your own right !!
This place reminds me of many places throughout Texas. I learn something everyday. Today through the eyes of my friend Steve I see what he calls Silver printing. He is correct. A normal eye may notice something completely different. So I appreciate the photo he took and his explanation and look forward to more. Outstanding photo and outstanding prices too.
Watched the trailer: quite interesting. Another photographer that I can relate to. Thanks for introducing him in your blog. I think what makes the image that George Tice made is the looming water tower in the background.
Appreciate your time and interest in my photography Fred, continued success with your own photography.
Very interesting Steve. Definitely a special moment in time. Love the pictures. You’ve captured so much here!
Hello Kathy, thanks so much for your time and interest in my photography, it’s a gift to appreciate what is around us everyday.
Hi Steve, This is such a beautiful image. Always amazed at your exquisite prints.
Thanks for sharing and the stories you tell to make these. Best to you and your wife. Dennis
Hi Dennis, thanks very much for reaching out and the time to read and offer kind thoughts. Hope to see you in October.