Japan Coal Mine Photos

Andrew O'Neill

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Hi guys, put together a short video showing some of the images I made over the years for Japan Tanko Fan Club's members. Let me know what you think. Thank you!

 

CMoore

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Just Me Personally, but............ I think Very Highly of them.!
Thanks for posting.
Job Well Done..!!!
 

MARTIE

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Great work! There's a exhibition in there...
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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Thank you! It was and still is an interesting subject matter for me, although it's lost some of its charm since it was cleaned up and turned into a tourist magnet, with attached museum. I'm glad the city preserved their coal mining heritage though, as it was devastated by the collapse of the industry, back in the early 90's. I watched many businesses become shuttered, and many of its population move away. The coal mines have mixed feelings with many, mainly from its dark past... I can't wait to get back there with camera in tow!
 

jtk

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The wheezy music actually contributes

Would be nice to have titles, just enough to tell us what we're seeing...these aren't mere graphics after all.

Every image is wonderful ... would be great to see the prints !
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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jtk said:
The wheezy music actually contributes

Would be nice to have titles, just enough to tell us what we're seeing...these aren't mere graphics after all.

Every image is wonderful ... would be great to see the prints !
Click to expand...

Thank you, jtk. I considered placing titles with the images in the video, but in the end, decided to keep it simple. I added titles in the description.
 

mooseontheloose

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Great video Andrew! I always have conflicted feelings when I hear of atmospheric ruins being cleaned up (preserved) for tourism - the historian in me really appreciates it, the photographer in me does not. After many years of saying I'll go down there to photograph the old mines, I think this year might really be it. I really want to finish off visiting all the prefectures in Japan (just have Oita and Miyazaki left, despite 4 years in Kumamoto I never went to either) so am planning a 10-14 day road trip through Kyushu in March, barring any lockdowns or other restrictions (which always seem to happen when I'm planning a trip somewhere). I'll know to keep my expectations in check, although I'm still looking forward to seeing them.
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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Back in 2001, they started to clean up one of the mines (Miyanohara, which is very close to my favourite one, Manda). They repainted the tower over the shaft a very nasty off white! Goodbye lovely patina! Be sure to stop in Omuta and head over to Manda tanko. There is also a museum very close by. Even though the old buildings and grounds have been tidied up, it still has lots of photo potential. The sad thing is I don't have it all to myself, like I used to! Another thing I like to do is walk the old line from Yotsuyama, down to Manda, and ending at Miyanohara. The line was also used for people to get around. The rails are long gone, but there still are a few platforms along the way. I've done it many times, and I plan on doing it the next time I'm over there, probably with my GoPro. I look forward to any photos you take there! Cheers and Happy 2022!
 

Craig75

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Those 3 shots from 1:02 to 1:22 really got me.

Whole portfolio is killer.

Sink and plug and the shot previous to that and one after really got me too.

How light was it indoors as it looks surprisingly bright in these buildings.
 
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Andrew O'Neill

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Craig75 said:
Those 3 shots from 1:02 to 1:22 really got me.

Whole portfolio is killer.

Sink and plug and the shot previous to that and one after really got me too.

How light was it indoors as it looks surprisingly bright in these buildings.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Craig! Some of the rooms were quite bright, like the bath area you are referring to. It had large, frosted glass windows. There is another bathing area in another mine that was really dark, with light coming in from tiny windows. It required a 2-hour exposure time. I couldn't handle standing in that creepy space that long, so I left the camera to do its thing, and booked it to a Mr. Donuts LOL! I came back a few minutes before the exposure was up, packed up and moved on. It turned out okay. Forgot to include it for some reason... Anyways, many of the spaces also had lovely chiaroscuro lighting. Cheers!
 
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