Grazing Slateland
In 1994, I decided to take a break from photographing people and turn my attention to the landscape. Commissioned to travel to North Wales, I documented how the slate industry had impacted the landscape. The slate quarrymen and miners had faced a similar level of danger to the coal miners. Death occurred on a daily basis as the slate was mine on the surface and indeed underground. It was shipped worldwide and it is interesting to see the different types of slate in various areas of the Snowdonia National Park. Most of the quarries were situated on the mountains, so long walks were in order to reach each location. As with coal in the south, the slate industry has more or less disappeared. The landscape however still has a contrast of slate tips, juxta positioned against the beautiful Snowdonia landscape. The images for this project were shot either using a Toyo 5x4 field, or Fuji 6x9cm camera. Warning : all photographs are strictly copyright Roger Tiley. Illegal use without permission can be tracked by an ID number. An invoice will be issued. |
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