Shot this one fine, humid July morning at Manda Coal Mine, from outside the gate. The sound of semi (cicada) was ear piercing. It wasn't the lovely "wash wash wash" sound which I quite enjoy, but the high pitched screech that would drive anyone made in minutes!
Goodness, Andrew. All hardball - subject matter, composition, execution - all high impact, even w/ the softening of the brick structure. 'Eerie, in some ways - like images of of the concentration camps. Everywhere coal has been mined has many tales of back-breaking work & high mortality. Seems fitting to in some way memorialize not just the site, but all the lives lost or spent in their operation. I hope the sites have generous preservation of the stories of the workers from the site.
Fence, foliage & wire detail are amazing. Your skill in shooting beauty would seem to be matched with hard-hitting documentary. I would think the site would be very interested in this fine work.
Thank you! I've exhibited 3 times for the organization that was behind the preservation of Omuta's mining history. The last show, which was a pre-celebration for the World Heritage designation, was in late December, 2014. I've been an honorary member with the organization since about 2002. I started taking photos at the mines (3 of them and all are abandoned, the last one abandoned in 1997) seriously since 2001.
A lot of that work was also highlighted in Looking Glass online magazine, Vol. 9.
Many people died working in those mines, Japanese and foreigners (WWII). Nasty things were done to the prisoners. There is a very dark past connected with the mines which is well documented at the sites. People who visited my exhibitions have told me many stories mainly of family members who worked, usually their parents, and some even lost a dad in explosions. Through one woman's story in particular, I realized the power of photography.
It took me two visits to get it right. The issue was mainly DOF and framing. It was very humid, and sweltering under the focussing hood (BTZS.. so quite enclosed in there!). The GG and loupe kept steaming up! By the fifth sheet of film, I got it.
Fantastic work Andrew. I wish I had known about this place when I was still living in Kumamoto. Your work with the mine images is very inspiring and thought-provoking.
Your description of the morning cicadas brings back memories of living across from a park that had huge cherry trees in in. The cicadas (and humidity) would wake me up by about 6 a.m. but they would get so loud that by 7 it would be impossible to have a conversation with anyone if standing outside, they were so screechy loud.
Thanks mooseontheloose! The only semi I liked was washi washi. After that experience, I made sure I had ear plugs with me. I had a pile of ear plugs at home because I found it very difficult to sleep at night. Not because of cicada, but because of traffic, especially bosozoku...
Thanks, HiHoSilver! I also donated a portfolio of images from the show to the organization for their support. They can use them for calendars and posters, put them up for events, etc.