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I received a few messages in regards to my last post in regards to candid images while on site. Do I use lighting, do I stage them am I stopping production?. The answers are yes, no and no. Photographing weddings over the years (I stopped 6 years ago) hones ones skill in anticipating a moment. You look at the current scenario and visualize where the next moment will happen, so while on site if I do have lighting with me, I place my lighting where I think the “scene” is heading and anticipate the moment I wish to capture. Just a little bit of extra light can help fill in some shadows and draw the focus to the subject of the image.
Measure Twice For Safety First | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Routine on site rail & track inspections reduces maintenance costs, improves reliability and increases productivity and safety. I recently created this image for my client BM Metals a division of Milman Industries Inc as they are updating their photo archive and marketing stock for their new website and social media content. Not all company images need to be “professional” for social media but at least every week your company should be showcasing/promoting your company with an image that will draw your viewer’s attention to read the accompanying text or message you are trying to convey. If not, then your media stream could become routine and the message you attach to it will be assumed mundane. When your viewers see information in text format they will only retain a small percentage but if a High Impact Relevant image is associated with that same information the increase in memory retention of that text increases dramatically. #miningphotog
This was Maeghan’s first time underground so I created this portrait of her as a memento. It’s always customary for me to create a portrait of the people I work with when I am underground, especially if it’s their first time and of course as a thank you for putting up with me on our underground adventures.
Vale Bio Diversity Brook Trout Release | James Hodgins Mining Industrial Photographer
Bringing two of my passions together into one, photography and fish. Recently I captured images for Vale while they release over 3000 Brook Trout into one of our local freshwater lakes. This is part of Vale’s Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy that also includes Beekeeping, and planting Milkweed.
He took a quick break in the action so that I could create his portrait which was used recently for Ascendant’s social media and trade show booth. I’ll say it again, my favourite aspect of being a Mining Photographer is photographing the people in their working environment.
Did you know that www.norcat.org has an underground center located in Sudbury Ontario? Since the majority of my clients contract me to create images of their equipment in an underground scenario, the Norcat Underground Training Facility is an ideal location for this type of application. From heavy equipment to software logistics there is always a spot on site to create/test a variety of scenarios. I have photographed everything from scoops, lighting, software, surveying and PPE for a variety of clients over the years.
If you or your company is looking for an underground environment that can fit your time schedules without having the difficulty of navigating a full operating mine site, then the Norcat Underground Training Facility is a perfect fit. You can reach them at Phone 705-521-8324 or email support@norcattraining.com. Ask to speak to Greg Major – Mine Manager, he and all the staff at the Norcat Facilty are amazing to work with and their professionalism and knowledge of the facility will ensure that your visit will be productive and safe.
After touring around the #PDAC2108 tradeshow this past Monday I realized that I have been photographing some of my industrial clients for over 15 years now. My very first glimpse into the Exploration Industry was with Atlas Copco & Brenda Hamilton photographing a line of Hobic ITH Diamond Drilling Bits. Over the years Brenda kept calling me back for new images in different locations and I am still creating images for her and her team at Epiroc today. It’s relationships like this that make my career a choice that I do not regret. Brenda, thanks for being a great client and more importantly a great friend.
One aspect of my job that I enjoy is the challenge of new locations. I can picture the finished image in my head with what information I have on hand but the plan usually changes once I am on site and see what we have to work with. Each location is different and hosts challenges different from the last shoot but that is what gets my creative juices flowing. A few weeks ago I was out on location in Kirkland Lake with Epiroc to create some new images while working beside Clark Marketing Communications who were creating their latest video. When you have that much creative talent in one area it’s hard not to feed off each others energy as we circled around each other bouncing ideas back and forth. Check out the latest video showcasing Epiroc’s latest line of Diamond Tools with a few images I created during the shoot that are incorporated throughout the video.
Here you can see how I used the edge of the canister for my setup while using the large doors to manipulate the amount of light casting onto the bits.
The last evening at the El Mochito Mine in Las Vegas Honduras found me outside the mill complex waiting for the rain to stop so I can attempt to create an image. Every time the rain slowed down I trudged my way across the complex to setup my camera and each time the rain would start up again just as I was about to press my shutter button. Mother Nature and I did this dance a couple of times before she let me know that she was planning on dancing all night lol. So what do you do? Well, you get the shot anyways. While I was taking cover under one of the other buildings across the way I noticed the rain funneling down off the metal roof catching the light and haze as it fell.
Watch the video below for the rain conditions
Every task that needs to be completed can be done efficiently. There is always a way to complete the job that yields the maximum efficiency, in the shortest amount of time, using the least amount of supply and labor. This is what good work is and when it’s accomplished everyone in the company thrives. You can be a “professional” at any job it just takes that individual to realize it.
I was impressed with the speed and accuracy that these tires were removed from the rims at www.a1blastingmats.net . Clearly there was a step by step process in place and each step had to be in the specific order in order to remove the tire safely and quickly. Was it always like that? I think not, but over time, making mistakes and learning from reveals the most efficient process possible.
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