norcat

2
Jan
The Last Portrait of 2018
Mine Photos / Mining / Photography / Sudbury Ontario / The People / 0 Comment / January 2, 2019

2019 is now upon my doorstep and I only have a remaining few days off before I start implementing some 2019 goals.  2018 was a great year and I truly enjoyed all the travel and clients I interacted with throughout the year.  I learned a few new things in the direction of my photography as well as some new marketing strategies that work as well as lots that didn’t work.  It’s a learning curve every year as industry changes with the times and so our business strategies must adapt.  Thank you to all my clients new and old for allowing me to capture images that showcase your company, who you are and what you do.  Here is my last portrait of 2018 at the end of my shoot with www.nsscanada.com


22
Dec
A Collaboration Of Companies
Industrial / Marketing / Mine Photos / Mining / Photography / Sudbury Ontario / The People / 0 Comment / December 22, 2018

This week I got to work with a few clients in a collaboration of creative concepts.  I was back at the Norcat Underground Facility with Northern Survey Supply and Hexagon Mining creating custom images for their marketing and social media content via Kaija and SocialRise Revenue Marketing Agency.  Thanks to Greg Major and the staff at Norcat for always making me feel welcome on their site and for helping us all out while we orchestrated the shoot.  It’s always a pleasure working with industry professionals especially right here in Northern Ontario.


14
Dec
Mines Of The Future
Marketing / Mine Photos / Mining / Photography / Sudbury Ontario / 0 Comment / December 14, 2018

With the advancement of technology and the demand for resources mining companies are constantly discussing and implementing new strategies for the sustainable future.  Here is a recent post from Craig Thornton of Hatch that discusses Five Challenges That Mining Needs To Address Today

 


4
Oct
Rock Bolts That Talk To Rocks?
Commercial / Mine Photos / Mining / Photography / Sudbury Ontario / The People / 0 Comment / October 4, 2018

I had the opportunity to photograph some new Rock Bolt technology from the National Research Council of Canada.  Pictured here is the monitoring station used to collect the data from the advanced rock bolts.  The rock bolts are equipped with senors that can detect the slightest movement of the rock they are placed in.  What does this mean?  It means safety.  Being able to detect seismic activity at an early stage can increase the response time to addressing the issue. For more information check out these articles in CIM Magazine –  (Smarter, cheaper, faster) & (Smart support)


11
May
The People | Mining Industrial Photographer
Mine Photos / Mining / Photography / Sudbury Ontario / The People / 0 Comment / May 11, 2018

Another very quick portrait after finishing a shoot for Hatch

I used a bit of the lighting from the side by side that was available for lugging my gear around to add extra ambient light to the scene.

 


12
Mar
Norcat – A Mine For All Companies | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Industrial / Mine Photos / Mining / photomotion / 0 Comment / March 12, 2018

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.

 

 


13
Nov
The Joy Of Komatsu | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Industrial / Mine Photos / Mining / Sudbury Ontario / 0 Comment / November 13, 2017

For the past few years I have photographed many Joy Global’s Mining Fleet  and production here in Northern Ontario.  This past April Joy Global was acquired by Komatsu (read more here) which is another company in which I admire the quality of their products and look forward to hopefully photographing some of their surface equipment as well as the underground.  Along with the quality, the people I have met at Joy have all been a pleasure to work with and photograph.


1
Sep
Boss of the Undrouground | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Commercial / Industrial / Mine Photos / Mining / Sudbury Ontario / 0 Comment / September 1, 2017

I always like to see my clients use the images I create for them.  Why wouldn’t’ they?  There is a reason why companies hire professional photographers to create images for their marketing materials, websites and trade shows.  Like BTI www.rockbreaker.com where I photographed their Scaleboss 3d scaler at the Norcat Underground Training Facility here in Sudbury, Ontario.  When your company has a new product, procedure, personnel or heavy machinery (possibly even “ground breaking” no pun intended” You need to get it into the public’s eye and in order to do that you need imagery that is visually pleasing, has that eye catching element that gives your marketing materials “IMPACT”.

The majority of my clients are surprised how versatile my images can be used across a variety of platforms throughout their marketing campaign.  In the end the cost for high quality professional mining industrial photography pays for itself within a single image used.  Don’t believe me?  Just ask any of my clients.


7
Apr
The Globe & Mail Report On Business | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Commercial / Industrial / Mine Photos / Mining / 0 Comment / April 7, 2017

I was contacted by the Globe and Mail last month to create a few images for articles on Mining Automation along with testing at Sudbury’s Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (Norcat).  For images used in featured articles and cover photos there is always some planning involved on how the image should look and feel while placed within the layout of the accompanied text. Just as important as the Title of the article a strong image will peak the viewers interest to read the subject matter.  

A professional photographer with experience in the mining industry will get the job done with as much efficiency as possible while underground while still maintaining all safety standards required/expected while on location.  It’s not about the equipment the photographer uses (even wedding photographers have great equipment) but how well they know the industry, the environment and the needs of the client. They will research the company, the product and past articles on the subject to ensure the images created will have symmetry with the text and view point the author is trying to convey. 


22
Mar
It’s Always A Joy To Photograph Another Jumbo | Mining Industrial Photographer James Hodgins
Commercial / Industrial / Mine Photos / Mining / Sudbury Ontario / 0 Comment / March 22, 2017

Again I found myself face to face with my favorite piece of mining machinery to date………….the Jumbo.  I don’t know what it is about this drill that get’s me excited.  I think it’s because out of the countless times I have photographed it I have yet to run out of ideas on how to position it.  I would love to have a day of just placing and photographing a jumbo.  No shot list, no testing, just me and the Jumbo (and operator) and anything goes.

www.joyglobal.com

The DR-1SB hydraulic jumbo drill, a single-boom hydraulic rig, is designed for drilling vertical, horizontal and angled holes in underground production or development headings. The DR-1SB has boom coverage of 5.46 m by 5.46 m (17’11” by 17’11”) and inner and outer turning radius’ of 4.19 m (13’9”) and 6.48 m (21’3”), respectively.

The DR-1SB features the Intelsense drilling control system, which includes the following features:

  • Collaring
  • Anti-jamming
  • Automatic water monitoring with feed return if low pressure is encountered
  • Auto return to start position after hole completion
  • Control levers for operating percussion, rotation, and feed

The DR-1SB also includes robust drilling and carrier hydraulics that feature variable displacement piston pumps; specifically:

  • Jumbo hydraulics: load-sensing, closed-circuit design for percussion, rotation, feed, and boom movements
  • General hydraulics: load-sensing, closed center circuit design for optimal efficiency
  • Steering hydraulics: load-sensing, closed center circuit design; stick steering with direct-acting control valve and two double-acting steer cylinders



Page 1 of 2