From Deseret News archives:
Photographer chronicles Geneva Steel's demise
But he persisted in his quest, making telephone calls and sending e-mails to company officials until they tired of him and gave permission if, in return, he would take portraits of company executives.
"I knew it had to be documented, or it would be lost," Dunker said, "so I just kept after them."
Once he had the green light, he began a vigil that brought him from Logan, where he has a studio, to Vineyard several times a month for the next three years. He watched equipment taken apart, huge piles of scrap hauled away and whole buildings dismantled.
He captured images on film that would live forever images that represented 57 years of steelmaking and the blood, sweat and tears of generations.
Dunker received a bachelor's degree in photography from California Polytechnic State University and a master's of fine arts in photography from Utah State University. He was an assistant professor of photography at USU from 1998 to 2002.
"Also, my dad was a serious amateur photographer. He loved to photograph these modern ruins, so there's a family interest there."
The 39-year-old photographer is also documenting changes in Cache County and Park City.
Dunker said the project was immensely interesting as the landscape changed from week to week.
"As buildings were removed, it opened up new views," he said. He also appropriated the use of what is called "rephotographic surveying," which is to photograph a scene years later from the same place.
Dunker has more than 1,000 images, all photographed on large-format sheet film.
He invested his own money in the project and doesn't like to think about how much he spent on film, time and gas.
"That's a scary figure for me to think about," he said.
He's not really expecting a financial return on his investment.
"The return will be in its integration into history," he said.
His Geneva work will be exhibited at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art beginning at the end of the week. He's pleased to be able to put his work on public display and realizes that for him, the accompanying publicity and interest in his photographs can boost his freelance career.
He's also satisfied with the overall result of his effort.
"Every day was like that, a 'Wow!' day," he said.
Recent comments
I was able to attend the lecture and exhibit opening at the Museum of...
Museum of Art Exhibit | March 14, 2008 at 12:10 a.m.
I am alive because Geneva Steel provided a place for my machinist...
Texas Utahn | March 13, 2008 at 8:35 a.m.
Are photographers tracking the demise of the Deseret News too?
What's next? | March 12, 2008 at 9:28 p.m.
- Store planning for Palin crush 11:02 p.m.
- UVU's Swarbrick receives honor 11:02 p.m.
- Decision on boundary shifts to Feb. 11:01 p.m.
- SUU women shoot 55.8 percent in win 10:59 p.m.
- Murray to sterilize, release feral cats 10:55 p.m.
- Man charged with animal cruelty 10:53 p.m.
- Car strikes TRAX train 10:49 p.m.
- Teen hurt while riding on car hood 10:48 p.m.
- Boozer Western Conf. player of week 10:45 p.m.
- Chicagoan charged in Mumbai attack 10:42 p.m.
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
278 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
260 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
203 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
191 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Letters: Global warming a lie
148 - Cougars going back to Vegas
146 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
134 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
The winningest college qb of all time. Colt has been amazing for four years....
We're an excited and dedicated football team. No really... we're...
Is corrupt and burdened with incompetency. We need Judge Roy Bean back on the...
$25 football tickets | 6:18 p.m. Dec. 7, 2009 I hope Utah loses and looks...
Good win, frustrating to see so much up and down. When we play with intensity...
is that people like Dick Harmon think that TCU is so great that there's no...
If anyone in the MWC is self-centered and NOT helping with the BCS problem it...
Hint to "JUST TAKE CARE OF THIS EARTH | 7:13 p.m."... Just because one...
Better defense Okur. I can't believe Fes has not played. There has to be...
My heart goes out to the daughters and son who have had to pick up the pieces...


