The title image for this post is rather appropriate, "you can't censor us!" to describe the decentralised social media blogging platform that is Hive!
I've done a few visits to Loxley near Sheffield mostly in the dark for lightpainting. I generally go check the place out in daylight first to see if there are any obvious pitfalls or dangerous holes in floors and anything which is gonna get me killed or maimed! This is a set from my initial recce around the place.
The site, known as Storr’s Bridge Works, was last occupied by Hepworth Refractories. The site has been in industrial use since the 17th century. Mining and the production of refractory bricks began in the late 1800's. At the start of the war in 1939, the refractory industry became essential to the war effort.
Today the site stands idle and decaying. Everywhere there are signs that the site has been purchased and planning permission has been requested to build a housing estate with houses I can't afford! They will probably need a mobile phone mast down in the valley here because there is zero phone signal!
You can't censor us!
I recce'd this place for a night time lightpainting shoot but the graffiti and messages all over the place were begging to be shot.
In a world that is beautiful, choose to be ugly
OK, so I got this the wrong way around but I think that would have been more ironic than the original message in the image:
The modern bit
The most modern part of the site was enormous. This building was easily 200mtrs long. The light along the floor as I entered was amazing.
Switchgear
I love a good switchgear shot. I will eventually light paint this in the dark when I get around to it.
The world is not yours
There's plenty of graffiti around the site and I'm pretty sure it's a contradiction when a graff artist makes an environmental statement whilst using toxic spraypaint...
Stog
Stog is a prolific graff artist based around Sheffield. I've seen his or her stuff all over the area for years. I shot this with the door frame in mind for a shot in the dark with a model.
Coloquix
An abandoned building photoshoot in Sheffield wouldn't be complete without a Coloquix. This chap is actually a primary school teacher and you couldn't wish to meet a nicer chap!
Shooting Brayk
Brayk GB is a car mechanic in his daytime job and he's joined us on a couple of lightpainting trips in the dark. His work is a bit of an acquired taste though....
Coloquix and the Skellingtons
There's Coloquix's work all over the place:
Shooting Salski with Sparks
We returned in the dark once we'd figured out where all the best spots were. Especially the flooded bits knowing they would make a great reflection.
Smokin' Salski
I'm still not convinced it's wise to give a hot, burning smoke pellet to a model:
In the main building
I like a bit of large scale lighting:
Inside the Kiln
I didn't know about this kiln before I visited. I was absolutely beside myself knowing I could bag a shot like this. I visit a 2nd time in the evening and used the foliage around the entrance to frame the tunnel.
Salski in the glittery cat suit
Sal turned up in this silver cat suit which was perfect for lighting up in the dark:
Behind the scenes
No post would be complete without a behind the scenes shot. In this case, it worked out better than the actual shot I was intending to shoot!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
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