Visual Analysis

Time as a visual device

The gas station was a later addition in the history of the town, being built as that technology became available.
This shows the arrested time era of the truck and old gas pumps that dates it in the 20's and 30's.
There is a time contrast as the truck's era is newer than the older mine behind it.
Showing the truck and gas pumps against the older mine tells more of a story than showing the truck against the gas station of the same age.

Expressing Meaning with Context

Anchoring the Truck against the backdrop of the town gives more of a sense of place or context that makes it more local and unique.
Visual story telling is richer and more successful if the objects can be placed into an utterly unique context.
The idea being that an old gas station clearly anchored in Bodie is more interesting that just an old gas station that could be anywhere.
Another interesting visual aspect here is considering what the minimum amount of visual information is required to communicate that this is a gas station.
The gas pumps are so iconic in nature that they are sufficient by themselves to show that this is a gas station without showing the actual gas station!