Category

Architecture

Location

Nenthead, Cumbria

Gear

Nikon D610, Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED. 1 x radio triggered speedlight in waterproof cases.

Description

Dating from 1839, Brewery Shaft has a vertical drop of 100m and is 3.6m in diameter. Long-abandoned, it was originally built to access the enormous Nenthead lead mines (also now derelict). The site is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The shafts construction represents one of the earliest industrial uses of concrete in the UK and the pipes on the walls were part of a system generating compressed air to operate machinery in the mine. The resulting excess power meant that the remote Cumbrian village of Nenthead above was the first in the country to have electric street lighting. In this image a mine explorer makes a committing abseil to reach the crumbling network of passageways and workshops far below. Lighting for this image was provided by a Nikon Speedlight with radio trigger, clipped to the subjects harness inside a DIY waterproof case. I was also abseiling at the time. Abandoned mines are always dangerous, pitch black, filthy and wet - a very challenging environment to make images in.

Photographer

Tom McNally

Social Media

Instagram: tommcnallyphotography

Facebook: Tom McNally Photography

Website: www.tommcnally.co.uk

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