Our area has provided plenty of stunning scenes for photographers, but Joe Polecheck’s photos go beyond typical landscapes as he has some fun with subjects, tricks and experiments.

J.P: I’ve always been involved in the arts, both painting and drawing ever since I was a child. I’ve always been able to identify things I liked or not when appreciating photography. About 2 years ago, I realized I’d better put up or shut up and try my hand at it. And as my wife has told me, “nothing can just be a hobby for you” which leads me here today!

Stormy Dock – “Eye of the Storm”, taken in Park Point earlier this summer.

 

I’ve been doing this for just over 2 years. I’m trying hard to not limit myself to one specific genre in photography. While landscape photos capture something special that only comes along once in a great while, portrait photography allows you to explore the artistic side (especially when you have brave and willing volunteers).

Ice Bench – Taken last winter, when what seems like the entire city was coated with an inch of ice.

 

The challenges and rewards are often synonymous. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing… 2 years ago, if you’d told me that my favorite thing in the world would be to be sitting at Split Rock Lighthouse at 2am in the black of night, I’d have told you that you were crazy. But, at this very moment there isn’t a thing I’d rather do.

Split Rock MN – Two Harbors’ Split Rock Lighthouse, seen under the Milky Way and Northern Lights.

 

Rewards are always seeing your visions or hopes for a shot coming to fruition. There are times I leave my house to randomly drive to the country just to see what I can find. When those random nights out end up panning out, there are few greater rewards.

Lester River Birches – Shot with an infrared filter, producing the color replacement of greens to pinks/purples depending on saturation.

 

Self-portrait, taken in the staff quarters bathroom inside of Nopeming Sanatorium.

 

Challenges, of course, consist of carving out time, budgeting for new equipment, and convincing my wife I’m not going to fall to my death during one of these excursions.
In addition to my website and my Facebook page my work can currently be found at Art on the Plaza and Wine Beginnings in Superior, WI as steady installations available for purchase. Additionally, I will be at the Chester Bowl Fall Fest with prints available for purchase, and will be having a solo show at Pizza Luce in Duluth this November.

McQuade – A lonely tree sitting in a field, found on Duluth’s McQuade Road. 80 individual images stacked on top of each other, producing the “trails” effect you seen in the sky.

 

Like any other individual in the arts community, especially in this area, exposure is key! It’s always an artist’s dream to have a steady residence to display their work, and carving your space in the community is a challenge for anyone.

Links
Website
Facebook page
Instagram

King School House – The abandoned “King School House” found in Cloverland, WI. Seen under the Northern Lights, with the star trail technique used.

 

Clover Valley High School – Closed and abandoned 40 years ago, the Clover Valley High School is a feast for the eyes with graffiti covering every inch of the remaining walls.