There are some big vents pushing and blowing air underground and you don’t necessarily get an appreciation on how large these are until you are up close to one of them. Putting someone into the frame gives scale to the size of the vents.
Custom photography isn’t the foremost thought for most when it comes to the mining industry until the need for a professional photo is required. In today’s social media world the majority of a companies marketing is showcased online and this includes news articles and magazine editorials. My clients have dozens to hundreds of high impact images to be used at a moments notice for whatever marketing platform they require. They are not scrambling to provide the media or submitting sub par low quality images that the graphic designer cringes when they try to add it to their designs.
But why hire a professional mining photographer? Professionalism and experience with photography as well as safety in the mining industry. Been on site for more than 20 years has allowed me to become efficient with my photography to create the variety of images needed in the time span allotted with the working conditions available at the time. I’ll get the job done.
Having a complete library of all your operations and corresponding processes allows your marketing team to better showcase the company within the mining industry and in turn create an online presence that is unique and branded to your company.
Image below www.puregoldmining.ca photographed at their Madsen Project in Red Lake Ontario
Earlier this week I was thinking about last years trip to Greece with www.pendaproductions.com and Eldorado Gold to photograph the different mining sites of the area and then today I am again reminded of my time there while reading EG’s recent Sustainability Report that features some of my images like the one below that I captured while visiting the Skouris site in the Halkidiki Peninsula of Northern Greece.
Slow smooth and steady gets the job done efficiently and safely with this MacLean Engineering Boom truck I photographed at the Agnico Eagle mine in Quebec.
Waiting for the MT42 to show up and me not being one to lollygag I figured it was a the perfect time to create my customary group photo with the Epiroc and Hudbay Lalor team that I accompanied to Flin Flon and Snow Lake Manitoba. It was a great collaboration to bounce ideas and obtain information in regards to the working mine and equipment.
While I did spend a week in Greece photographing Eldorado Gold’s Kassandra Mines for www.pendaproductions.com the Penda team were simultaneously recording all aspects of the project as well. Check out the Penda video Eldorado Gold just published to their youtube channel highlighting the sites and operations. Its a trip down memory lane for me as I photographed each of the scenes within the video capturing stills to coincide with their marketing materials. Check out the images below then look for the locations within the video while you watch. It was one of my favorite trips and to be able to work with Penda Productions again in another Country has been a highlight in my career.
Eldorado Gold Kassandra Mines Video
One of the standard images created for my clients is of course the traditional “conversation” image. Most times these are candid images using available light as these moments come and go in seconds but I try to position myself so that I can use the available light to my advantage to illuminate the faces.
I was getting my gear setup for the next scenario and looked over to see these two checking each others safety harness and gear before entering the ball mill. I quickly grabbed my 2nd camera and captured a few images using the available light. These two worked as a team and they took their time going over the safety details involved in the next operation. Communication and safety go hand in hand.
As I got walked closer to the next shooting location I could see the illumination of the area getting brighter and brighter and I thought to myself “This is beginning to look a lot like X-Glo, awesome!”
Not only can I incorporate the extra ambient light from the X-Glo strips into my images but more importantly I can walk around the area more safely and efficiently.
Here is a quick image before we brought the machines into place.
Creating this image for the Cambrian College Trades program took a bit of time to setup but only a few seconds to capture. I wanted to show the movement of the hustle ‘n’ bustle of the shop as students were in and out of the frame but keep the focus on the CNC Machine and the operator. Strategic lighting throughout the shop and a slow shutter speed pulled it all together.
Also, take a look at my “International” Galleries to see a small example of the variety of images I create for my clients marketing & branding strategies.
