Shot at the Speed of Sound is a posthumous collection of the photo work of acclaimed photographer Naomi Petersen. Best known as the in-house photographer for the renowned independent label SST Records, she successfully captured the fury, humor, energy, and poignancy of California’s legendary Punk and hardcore subculture. Born in Japan and raised in Los Angeles, Petersen was shaped by punk and inspired to become more than a show attendee; she became an active participant who helped shape the imagery we still embrace. Additionally, Shot at the Speed of Sound features candid shots of Sonic Youth and Nirvana, two groups that helped build a new subculture rooted in punk’s DIY ethos. Petersen’s friendship with Nirvana’s drummer Dave Grohl spanned decades, from his tenure with D.C. hardcore band Scream to Nirvana’s rapid ascension to mainstream success.
Naomi’s brother, Christopher Petersen, compiled and released the book after sorting through thousands of photos, bringing several never-before-seen shots of integral artists that helped propel Punk forward. Shot at the Speed of Sound uniquely includes Naomi’s calendar, diary entries, and poetry to reveal more about the woman behind the lens. Petersen was seemingly on an upward path toward greater success, but unknown circumstances still led her to abruptly walk away from her craft in 1994. Her tragic death from liver failure in 2003 forced her loved ones to attempt to piece together why a talented artist walked away from a promising career and passed away at only 38 years old. Christopher does a noble thing by working to ensure his sister’s legacy continues, directing his energy to sharing some never-before-seen works as opposed to solving why Naomi ceased her photography. Shot at the Speed of Sound celebrates the artists that have forever made an impact on all of us, and the book succeeds in reminding us of the effort and talent required to capture the moments in time that we continue celebrating. Henry Rollins and Thurston Moore offer thoughtful commentary, sharing how Peterson personally impacted them, proving her connections spanned beyond the lens and flash.
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