I've been spending some time down at the shop with my camera, poking around in the bins full of metal, the barrels ful of scrap, and the crates filled with parts. Some of the guys proably think I'm a little weird, taking pictures inside the dumpsters. I don't blame them, it does look weird...Until you look a little closer.
Metal shavings differ from one machine to the next. Each job produces it's own unique scrap. For some reason, I am intrigued by the variety of textures, the subtle changes in color, and the way the light reflects off of the different types of metal.
Metal, once cold and unyeilding, has been transformed into fragile curls and flakes. The chips are mezmerizing, kind of like a Jackson Pollak painting. Stare too long, and one can get lost in the details.
Beauty is where you look for it. Art is where you find it.
Sometimes it can even be found on a factory floor.
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4 comments:
Maybe you should teach a photography class.
-Alice
Thanks for the compliment Alice, but I don't feel like I know nearly enough about digital potography, considering I only have an inexpensive camera, (or I often use my cell phone) and I have only just begun to experiment with editing software.
I did think about doing a fun lesson after school with students who have cell phone cameras, since the school doesn't have cameras for the kids to use. The two times I borrowed cameras from the yearbook advisor for my students to use, they came back broken. I am too embarrased to ask again.
Marybeth,
Your "Machine Shop" gallery is spectacular, I agree with Alice, you should teach photography. I'm designing a web site for my nephew, he is starting a scrap metal recycling business M3Metals, and we would love to use some of your images if you would be kind enough to give us permission to do so.
Please go ahead and use any photos I have posted. If you give my website credit with a link - better still.
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