Hidden Beauty

In the last decade Cornwall has emerged as one of the world’s iconic destinations. Cornwall is made up of a range of picturesque landscapes which has been appreciated in photography for a while. From the dramatic coastline of the north to the sheltered bays in the south, from ancient moorland to soft river estuaries.

Perranuthnoe

However it has deeper importance, twenty-seven per cent of the County is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a further 24% as Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). The landscape is formed from a combination of climate, geology, natural features and human activity.

Nanjizal Cove

I have chosen to photograph the hidden beauty of Cornwall which are on the coastal footpaths or a tourist place but are not heavily populated when visited so they still have a sense of calm being a distinctive portrayal of Cornwall. I will focus on this idea as continue to shoot whilst I am still on Cornwall for my university term.

Perranuthnoe

www.naturalhistoryphoto.org 

Beneath Cornwall

Rosevale Mine is the final mine which I had the opportunity to explore for a university project, this enabled me to gather a collection of photographs that illustrate the workings of the Mining Industry underground. It is the only underground mine restoration project of its type in Cornwall and, as such, forms a unique and important part of the county’s mining heritage. It is equipped as a working mine, but also contains a wide variety of mining machinery, tools and relics. The restoration works have been undertaken using traditional methods and materials, whilst meeting modern Health & Safety requirements, thereby preserving the mine as an authentic and realistic example of a small nineteenth/twentieth century Cornish tin mine. The long-term objective is to maintain the mine as a heritage site and to continue to open-up some of the currently inaccessible workings.

Iron Staining on the wall of the mine.

Authentic tools used in the mine

The photographs depict my journey as I exploring through the mine starting from the level two entrance, gradually making my way up towards the level 1 entrance. The colour of the granite and clay gives rustic colours portraying the industrial atmosphere. I was able to get these photographs by using long exposures and shining my head torch onto specific areas of interest.  The colours are inspired by Andrew Brooks and Howard Waisman who I have researched.

Level 2 Tunnel