Mining Photography by Kevin Palmer

 “It took hours to get to and then into the mine, another five hours to set up and experiment, and two and a half minutes to shoot.” Kevin Palmer talks about the challenges of setting up a studio at the bottom of a mine.

Mining photographer Kevin Palmer has sent us an outstanding set of mining images recently. Below is just a small selection, many more can be viewed at the Photographers Direct website, where you can also contact Kevin for assignment work or to license an image.

Creating a photo studio 3000 feet underground

Confronted with the challenge of creating an impressive image of this complicated piece of mining machinery, Kevin relied on the skills he developed as both a studio and adventure photographer, his unflagging energy, and his determination to solve any problem.

In order to create this photo, Kevin, with the assistance of machine operator Joe Bothello and Mine Supervisor Kerry O’Halloran, set up a virtual photo studio in the mine. They utilized an assortment of lights on high and medium power, a fill light, plus two softboxes.

As Kevin said, “It took hours to get to and then into the mine, another five hours to set up and experiment, and two and a half minutes to shoot.” Only a perfectionist thinks in those terms.

What was Kevin’s biggest problem? “Power. The high demand for electricity by our power packs kept kicking off the circuit breakers. We solved the problem by running extension cords to a nearby compressor, splitting the power requirement from each in half. I couldn't position the lights exactly where I wanted to because of the tight quarters. But we made do.”

Portrait of a little Haitian Girl

"This little girl came to the drill site after walking a mile from Haiti. The Canadians there brought her family clothes and food, and regularly donated to the family. On this day, I happened to be there on-site as she ever so carefully proceeded forward coming around the hill. I was surprised, as I wasn't expecting to see this on a mine site."

"Best of Friends! A miner with much to do takes time out for the little girl that walked a mile from Haiti to check out the supply of food at the camp. All the workers made provisions for the little girl and she leaves the site to walk back home to deliver the goods to her family."