Fotomoto

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Ruffner No.2 Redux - On Film

I can't imagine a more unforgiving environment in which to shoot low speed film than a pitch black abandoned iron ore mine.
I accepted the challenge, and upon my return to Ruffner No.2, I used my OM-2n and Ektar 100 film to capture the trip.

RUFFNER

Looking Forward

Rock Pile

The Flood

Support

Cart

Rockfall

Splash Down

Caved

Down The Drift

Gearing Up

Sunday, March 23, 2014

To Hell 'n Back Aagain

Enter into the depths of Hell. Will you emerge from the abyss unscathed?

To Hell and Back Again.

Abandoned Alabama Iron Ore Mine.
Location : Undisclosed.
Entry into this location requires rappelling down a vertical shaft, and use of supplied air respirators. The doors have been shut.
Do not attempt. You have been warned.

The Facility
The surface works.

Re-Barred

Shear Rivet

Rust Out

Enter the Darkness
The Portal.

The Door
Dare you enter?

Depths of Hell

Lights Out

Dramatic Darkness

Satan's Walk

Ride This to the Depths

45 Degrees to the Abyss

Falling to the Inferno

Death

Ceiling of Hell

Hanging

Light of Freedom

Only Escape

Escape from Purgatory

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Ruffner Mine No.1

Ruffner No.1 started off as a drift mining site, and later was upgraded to slope mining. These mines produced huge amounts of iron ore for the Sloss blast furnaces.
Today, the mines are abandoned, and partially flooded. It is quite large inside, and there are bats sleeping on the ceiling of the lower levels.

Portal
The entrance to the mine is a simple hole in the ground.

Dual View

Mine Heading

Ghostly Trail
Fun with light painting.

Looking Back

Mine Cart Rails

Vintage Beer

Reflect

Ice lake
The Ice Lake.

Batty
There were dozens of sleeping bats in the mine, clinging to the ceilings. They didn't seem to mind our lights. If you find yourself visiting a mine or cave and find bats, please do not disturb them. The bat in this picture is a Gray Bat, a species native to the south which is nearly endangered.

Wall