Ship breakers in Alang, India

[David Bigeleisen]

I'm thinking of doing a project photographing the ship breakers on the beach in Alang, India. Has anyone done this? How have you gone about getting access to be able to photograph? I'll be grateful for any information.

Thank you in advance.

David

 

[MTGseattle]

Dan Winters comes to mind and Sebastio Salgado for his "workers" series. Ship breaking for sure, that exact location I am not sure.

https://www.natgeotv.com/za/shows/natgeo/photographer#episodes-t1.

I don't see any of Dan Winters work on his website, but in the "Photographer" episode, he goes and gets some ship breaking images. The whole episode is worth a watch imo (as is the series)

 

[Carnie Bob]

I'm thinking of doing a project photographing the ship breakers on the beach in Alang, India. Has anyone done this? How have you gone about getting access to be able to photograph? I'll be grateful for any information.

Thank you in advance.

David

Sebastio Salgado, Russell Monk in mid 90's and Ed Burtynsky come to mind

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

Anuj Behal who did the photography and co-wrote this article on Alang's ship recycling yard might be able to help you.

‘No work’: India’s Alang, the world’s largest graveyard of ships, is dying

The Gujarati town accounts for nearly 98 percent of India’s total and about a third of the global ship recycling volume.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[mpirie]

As Bob mentions, a short film was made about Ed Burtynsky shooting the ship-breakers in India using large format colour film.

Mike

 

[BobUK]

I read that their government was going to stop the industry due to the pollution that they caused to the environment.

It might be just so much hot air from politicians trying to look as though they are behaving responsible.

Best to check if it is still going on before making a trip.

 

[BrianShaw]

It's a story that acan't be told too many times. Find a POV different from the various news reports and other photographers. It will be vey interesting. Regarding "the government" stopping it... good luck as the job still needs to be done by somebody somewhere. How about finding one that is environmentally and health/safety responsible; Do a photo story on that...

 

[AERO]

Cruise line companies sell massive multimillion dollar ships for scrap overseas. Here's a look inside ship-breaking yards.

The job of breaking down these large ships is one of the most dangerous and the added load has only made it harder.

www.businessinsider.com

ALIAGA Turkey..Nearest big place is Izmir.

 

[MTGseattle]

The Al Jazeera article piqued my interest in all of the fringe businesses. The ship breaking itself is nuts in its own way, but the sellers of rope and cable, dishes, light fixtures, etc. all with their own huts or larger spaces, there are stories there.

 

[jvo]

David

as had been said, its been done, AND I would encourage you to do it as well.

If you hadn't seen these essays, then maybe many in "your circle" haven't either. You will bring a different background, perspective, history and viewpoint... maybe the best one yet and to a wider audience!

go for it!

 

[tomkatf]

If you don't do it I will!!!... Kidding but can't think of a situation with more opportunities for great shots...

 

[DREW WILEY]

Just be aware that you're likely encountering a real hazmat situation and want to be properly protected. Being the one who sold a lot of hazmat equipment to the Naval dismantlers of the mothball fleet in San Pablo Bay, as well as having seen the health of friends who once worked at the Mare Islands shipyards catastrophically fail early on, I can only presume hazards would be even worse in India, Compliance measures or not. Sounds like Cancer Alley. Expect a lot of loose lead, cadmium, and hazardous chromium compounds around. If you're from SF, you must be aware of the stupendous cost which has been undertaken to make the old Hunter's Point shipyard and shoreline area even somewhat safe to the public again. But yes, the photographic opportunity would be tempting.

 

[David Bigeleisen]

I'm wondering about how to gain access to the shipyards. I know that you can't just show up and ask to be shown around. Whaat to my brothers and sisters know about this issue?

David

 

[jvo]

ah, ah! don't talk yourself out of your dream project!


a quick search yielded multiple leads and info to begin. you can do this, we need to see you work!

jvo