Base photographer selected for INNERview Published Aug. 17, 2009 Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Don Peek Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa Unit: 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Years in Service: 23 years of military service (three years Army, 20 years Air Force) and 10 years at Dobbins ARB as a contractor Job Title: Base photographer What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most challenging aspect of the job is keeping current with the continual changing technology. What keeps you motivated? I'm motivated by the challenges in finding new and improved ways of doing my job. For example the different (angles) there are to cover a shooting assignment that keeps the imagery from becoming redundant. Have you ever been a photographer at other bases? How was it same/different? While on active duty I crossed trained into this career field where I started [developing photos] in the dark room. I spent time at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in an intelligence organization photo lab, then Howard Air Force Base, Panama, where we had assignments ranging from awards ceremonies to investigative and aerial photography. At Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., we covered missile launches. How has your career field changed through your career? The biggest change and adjustment for a film guy like me was the transition to digital imagery. What was the highlight of your career? It's hard to pin down any one highlight to my career because there are many. I guess I would have to say that it would be having had the opportunity to have worked with or supervised some of the photojournalists who are still out there today making it happen. When I see their names come up from time to time in different media I can say I knew them when.
