Around the clock this Caterpillar 980K and it’s operator work to keep the payload going through the crusher. In the recent months I have been trying to create images of the night shift workers as they tend to get overlooked when creating images.
When photographing equipment I always try to get someone outside the vehicle to give the viewer a better sense of scale, especially if the operator is not directly visible.
From afar mining equipment look smaller than they really are and it’s not until you get up close to them that you see the enormity of these machines. I always try to get some human interaction between the equipment and the environment so you can see the difference in size. Using smaller vehicles that everyone is familiar with like trucks and cars or placing an operator within the frame can easily give the viewer the reference needed to visualize the overall size of the heavy equipment.
One of the more difficult pieces of equipment to photograph in action the Shotcrete Sprayer is easily photographed before the nozzle starts projecting it’s contents onto the entire area.
Creating images for the MacLean Engineering fleet has taken me all over Ontario and Quebec above ground as well as under. Visiting the Agnico Eagle Mines in Northern Quebec was a great experience as the crew I was with as well as the professionalism of the Agnico employees aloud us to create some stunning images to add to the MacLeans Marketing image arsenal.
My clients like to get promotional photography created before the mining equipment is shipped and the majority of the time I have to photograph it in the industrial shop or outside in the yard. This isn’t an issue but it does take some time in front of the computer to complete but in the end they have some great images to be showcased in their marketing platforms.
It’s popping up everywhere on the scene. You read about it in the trade magazines, you see it on the marketing brochures and you read it on the side of the equipment at the trade shows. Electric (E) has hit the mining scene in full force. With technology advancing at a higher rate day by day the mining industry can now dig deeper than years before but with that comes a cost with ventilation and fuel for diesel machines. With most major brands in the Mining Industry now turning to the “E” the costs are lowered for the overall long term duration of the mining projects, not to mention they run cooler, quieter and cleaner.
Below is the Sandvik LH514E that I recently photographed. I was impressed with the maneuverability of the tethered tram in close quarters while at the same time I was able to communicate with my assistants while it was in production. The images I created on the shoot will be used for marketing materials and promotional products as the Iphone “snapshots” don’t belong in the realm of Professional photography.
One of my favorite mining equipment to photograph, at least until I get to some sites that have bigger and more badass looking machines to peak my photography interest. I do have a few on my bucket list.
James Hodgins is Sudbury Photographer creating images for the Mining/Industrial industry around the World.
