“I have often been asked how or why did I get workers in factories to wear their everyday clothing. I didn’t. Few industries provided special protective gear so it was normal for the men and women to wear their not-so-new, shabby clothing in the factory. Hence the stylish shoes and colourful headscarf.” British Nylon Spinners, Pontypool, Wales, 1964
Oil Refinery - photographed in 1956
Balancing a Ship Propeller - “The correct pitch of a propeller is vital for the comfort of passengers on prestigious cruise ships. The prospect of having one’s cocktail continuously shaken is enough for some to cancel the trip. I am sure little thought is given to the man seen in the photograph, who through years of experience makes sure the pitch of the propeller blades is correct, ensuring a fast, economical and vibration-free voyage.” Bull’s Metal and Marine Shipyard, Glasgow, Scotland, 1956
Electric Arc Cutting Inside a Boiler - “Standing in a scrapyard on a cold winter’s day trying to create a photograph of visual impact is a bit daunting. It was more difficult to persuade the two welders to leave their warm hut and get the necessary gear to the cylinder.” Photographed in the works of T Ward, 1958
High Voltage Insulator Testing - “When seeing this vertical column of tubes and knobs, I was inclined to pass it by, as it was not particularly photogenic. Remembering that many succesful pictures are the result of making an analytical examination of the subject, I gave it time. It’s fun to do this - a bit of a challenge. Rejecting many angles I was left with the one you see in this photograph. There was just room for my half plate camera to point upwards and look through the gaps. Needless to say I made sure the power was turned off!” English Electric, Stafford, 1954
Paper Making - “The first paper mill in England was established in the 15th century. Machinery developed in 1798 speeded up the process and enabled newsprint to be made. Wood pulp, looking like porridge, supported on fast moving webs, is dried and changed into paper, as seen in this picture, in a few minutes. This is most dramatic, hence the strong lighting.” Bowater Paper Company, Thames Mill, Northfleet, 1960
Assembling Warp Threads for Weaving - “It wasn’t the head or the face of this woman that first caught my eye, but her scarf against the dark background. Yet, the scarf was missing when I arrived the next day to take the picture, replaced by an elaborate hairdo! The local hairdresser had really excelled himself. Over a cup of tea the solution came; take pictures of the hairdressers art then suggest bringing the scarf. It worked. Happiness al round.” English Sewing Cotton, Belper, Derbyshire, 1954
Tapping a Furnace - “When this large furnace was tapped it was spectacular. Two men were controlling a river of molten metal.” Ford, Dagenham, Essex, 1954
Bessemer Platform - '“Observing this particular sight, I felt I was in a theatre watching a stage set with over-exaggerated effects. The contrast of the relaxed furnace men, chatting away, completely indifferent to the inferno, amazed me.” Bessemer Platform at Stuarts & Lloyds, Corby, Northamptonshire, 1957
Testing Thermal Insulation - “Fighting the cold in a draughty old farm building is quite a challenge. I was impressed by the aggressive stance of the operator. He was attacking the wall with a high-pressure spray gun, forcing insulating foam into the brickwork. When completed the increased warmth was remarkable.” Shell International, Woodstock Farm, Sittingbourne, Kent, 1963
Filling a Crucible of Molten Metal - “When filled, this container of liquid metal is moved by pulleys and poured into moulds. I was amazed that the operator was so unconcerned by the shower of sparks from the nearby electric furnace.” Ford, Dagenham, Essex, 1957
Checking a Transformer - “It is always interesting to me to hear viewers’ comments. This photograph earned the merit of being described as ‘really sexy’. It would never have occurred to me, or I am sure the examiners, that this was the impression. I do admit seeing a Dr. Who connotation with an octopus fantasy when taking the picture.” English Electric, Stafford, 1960
Fryloux Solder Paint - “This tidily dressed operator with carefully groomed hair had no idea she would feature in this picture. Her personal pride was reflected in her immaculately clean filling machine, no doubt just like her kitchen at home.” Fry’s Factory, Bermondsey, London, 1971
Combing a Guard’s Bearskin - The workshop of J Compton, Sons and Webb, London, 1957
Laminating Television Tubes - Philips factory, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 1958
Dried Milk Production - “It was hard to imagine these giant stainless steel structures had anything to do with milk - they more resembled something from an outer space research station. Note the white Wellington Boots. Until I arrived the standard issue was black, visually destroying the ultra-hygienic image. I persuaded management to get them painted. White is now the standard issue.” Wiltshire United Dairies, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, 1966
Acoustic Research - “This was one of the weirdest places I have ever photographed. Imagine dropping a hammer on a steel floor and not hearing a sound! ‘Silence is golden’ does not apply in this place, at least not to me. All sense of coordination was left behind the thick, sound-proof entrance door.” Philips factory, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 1962
Stainless Steel Tubes - TI Stainless Tubes Ltd, Birmingham, 1958
Taper Roller Bearing - “I noticed this inspection of bearings while making a survey but such a photograph would be impossible to achieve in daytime. Industry has always been most cooperative and understanding to my requests and readily agreed to arrange for the necessary personnel to return to the factory during the hours of darkness, despite it being midsummer.” British Timken Works, Daventry, Northamptonshire, in the early hours of 11 July 1957
Road Building in the Northwest Frontier - “The late Tom Dawson, editor of the Scotsman, and I were given access to this remote area by the Pakistan military.” What is now known as the Karakoram Highway, Pakistan, 1963
Water Carriers - “Walking along this stony oath in a hot desert scrub was taxing for me. While I only had my camera to carry and was wearing shoes, these two slim, barefooted girls balancing heavy clay pots filled with water, passed me, singing and laughing. I just had time to record this scene before they disappeared into their village and over the horizon.”
Sawing Teak - Dacca, East Pakistan, 1961
Removing an Ingot from a Furnace - “While travelling through Pakistan I heard of a steel works in Lahore. Like a dog hearing the word ‘walkies’, I could hardly wait to get back into industry.” Batala Engineering Company, Lahore, Pakistan, 1961
Flying Boat Leaving Capri - “Travelling by flying boat, or seaplane, was truly a highlight of one’s holiday. It was all so leisurely. I shared this pleasurable experience with my family while photographing in the many destinations visited by Aquila Airlines. Imagine the pleasure of being able to browse through a mouthwatering menu radioed from some beautiful hotel to the seaplane. Your individual tastes were then transmitted back. Now that’s enjoyable air travel.” Seaplane departing the Island of Capri, Italy, 1954
The Bridge - “Although this bridge was built in 1895, five years after Vincent Van Gogh died, it brought back the pleasure of seeing his vibrant painting of a similar construction.” The Netherlands, 1958
Winding Nets from Sardine Fishing - “It was the creaking sound of the winding wheel and the Portuguese fisherman’s song that drew me to this beach scene. They were fishing for sardines, expectantly winding the nets after leaving them out in the bay overnight.” Portugal, 1956
Drying Fishing Nets - Camara de Lobos, Madeira, Portugal, 1955