Show people building and making things (especially on a large scale), including construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation, and energy.Since photography evolved toward the end of the Industrial Revolution, early documentarians were photographing the changing landscape of American and European industry. Now, entities from multinational manufacturers to Etsy sellers use industrial photography. Despite the name, industrial photographs often feature people. In an age of automated manufacturing, people are often used to help industrial settings feel more human. At first glance, industrial photography doesn’t need any specialized equipment, but it may require specialized knowledge and skills. Gerard Yunker’s images of workers standing on wind turbines required the use of specialized safety equipment to keep the photographer (and subjects) safe. In other cases, a sure foot and a healthy dose of common sense can keep most photographers out of trouble.
Shooting for industrial clients often brings another level of safety requirements and consideration. Harnessed while standing at the top of a 270 foot wind turbine required three hours of safety training with onsite safety personnel prior to starting my work. It’s a really exhilarating part of my job, and I’m thankful to have such unique experiences.
Industrial work requires a unique skill set. You have to work efficiently and safely in complex & strange environments and come away with something creative.