The upward climb to the surface after a long day in the warm humid environment of the underground.
Sometimes you wake up and go to work in the dark hours of the morning, work all day in the underground with the minimal light your equipment provide and at the end of the shift when you exit the portal, the sunshine slaps your face and your eyes protest for the briefest moment as they adjust to the ambience of the surface world.
This image showcases a few old school lessons I learned in photography composition. “You look at an image like you read a book, from left to right” was mentioned to me early on in my career and it stuck with me ever since.
Using leading lines and creating highlights and shadows with my lighting I draw the viewer into a specific part of the image. In this case I used the leading lines of the truck to draw your attention to the main subject while utilizing some background lighting for impact. This overall composition leaves room for “copy” on the left side of the image over the negative space of the truck while drawing your attention onto the main subject of the miner and tablet. As well with this composition the image can be cropped vertically isolating the subject thus giving a designer several options for layout placement.
Sometimes you need a higher vantage point in the mechanics shop to show just how large some of the equipment they maintain really is in comparison to them.
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Manitouwadge Ontario to create images for Manroc Developments. We covered their undreground operations including their Alimak Raise Climber at Barrick Gold’s Williams Mine as well as some fabrication processes at their multiple industrial shops in the town of Manitouwadge. The Alimak is an interesting piece of equipment (from Manroc’s Site) The Alimak method raises between levels in a safe and effective manner. Drilling, loading and blasting are all performed from the platform of the Raise Climber, which is adapted to fit the precise dimensions and shape of the raise. Furthermore, the Alimak Raise Climber implements a rack and pinion rail, designed to carry air and water for increased ventilation.
I always enjoy photographing the Alimak and this time was no different. It can be a challenge in some locations especially if it’s over an open area but this time I got to get up close and personal at ground level.
Here is a different image from past shoot of the Alimak
Alimak Raise Climber 1
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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.
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.
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.
Now that 2016 is in full swing in the mining industrial sectors it’s time to start thinking about this years marketing materials and online portfolio. Trade show season is only a few months away and you don’t want to leave it until the last minute so you are scrambling for images for your presentations, trade show booths, investor reports and online updates. A full day shoot can yield high quality “wow factor” images that can be used throughout the year without repeating the use of images. I will work directly with your creative marketing team to formulate a shoot schedule and scenario list that would work best for your company.
James Hodgins from Sudbury Ontario is a professional Mining Industrial Commercial photographer with over 20 years experience.
At the request from one of my clients I had to go back into the 2012 archives and retrieve a few images so I thought I would post one of them. This was from a Hydro One Photoshoot that featured one of their employees in their in house magazine. Location was Manitoulin Island (Outside of Sudbury Ontario) near Bay Of Finn.
Sudbury Mining industrial photographer is based out of the mining Province of Ontario Canada.
Here is another chance I had to photograph an industrial worker that has never had his portrait created while working. I hope he enjoys the photo as much as I had creating it.
Sudbury Mining industrial photographer is based out of the mining Province of Ontario Canada.
