On its surface, a photograph looks like a piece of art that takes only seconds of work. But 2002 Penn State graduate Joel Knepper disagrees.

His photo exhibit, The Seniors, captures the expressions of his elderly friends at the Centre Region Senior Center, 131 S. Fraser St.

He spent more than a year on the project. Work included the initial difficulty of walking in the doors and introducing himself to his future subjects. Before he knew it though, Knepper was playing cards with them and sharing stories across generational chasms, many times unarmed with his camera.

"They didn't have a problem with it, but it took a long time to develop a comfortable situation," Knepper said.

"I think they have a lot of experience and some amazing stories to tell. I hope people can see that in the photos, and it'll open up other doors for other relationships," he said.

While churning the idea for the project, he knew he wanted to do something different by being around people other than his college-aged peer group.

Knepper said he had no particular goals in mind before taking his first shot.

Rather than feeling inhibited by a governing thesis, he let each photo taken lead him to where his next one would go.

When his new friends saw the photos, Knepper said they had a mixed reaction.

"Of course there's always the 'oh-I'm-so-old' reaction," he said. "But they're not really angry about it."

The Seniors will be on display on the walls of Ritenour Building until March 2 reminding students that while the students may be temporarily sick, they are also temporarily young.