How to shoot a minefield ?

[karlori]

I know... I guess your answers will be you don't. But I have come across an opportunity to visit a minefield that's under control and has known positioning of said ordinance.
How would one go about transferring the depressive, desolate feelings onto the emulsion ? How do I make the viewer get the idea that he is looking at a minefield and not a normal forgotten field...

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and i want to use it.

TiA !

 

[Richard G]

A slightly blurred 360 degree panorama with Tri-X pushed to 1600, from the centre of the field would work, but take a lot of shots and then unload the film and throw it to a companion on the edge of the field - just in case.

 

[karlori]

A slightly blurred 360 degree panorama with Tri-X pushed to 1600, from the centre of the field would work, but take a lot of shots and then unload the film and throw it to a companion on the edge of the field - just in case.

I will be accompanied by a licensed pyrotechnic and on a "safe route". But that's a good idea. :angel:

 

[Chinasaur]

Not wearing anything metal is also highly recomended. A plastic camera is good idea vs a hunk of metal. A cheap plastic camera (Holga effect) might give you the ambiance you are seeking...

 

[Particular]

Don't try too hard to 'make' something out of it. First of all I would just go and see it and get a sense of the atmosphere. Then try to capture that. Most likely it will just look like a field, but that is what makes it so sinister. Often there are boundary markings with yellow tape or other clues that you can include in a shot. Sometimes a caption is enough to 'charge' the image.
I have images I took in Sarajevo in '97 that have minefields. They are quite powerful, even though they are fairly boring shots on the surface.

 

[tlitody]

on a pogo stick... (small foot print). And you'll need one of these:angel:

 

[rover]

You don't
Carefully
Pogo Stick
Safe Route
.....
With a Telephoto, very long telephoto????

 

[lynnb]

Mines are triggered by feet - so another thought is to photograph your foot in the field, possibly next to a marker - and preferably while it's still attached to your leg!

 

[Harry S.]

If It turns out to be an ordinary looking feild, Id shoot a companion image of an ordinary feild.

Very exciting opportunity!

 

[lynnb]

I liked CNNY's suggestions.
Just some musings here.
A minefield is something that waits. It has all the time in the world to wait to claim its next victim. Any ideas that convey that sense of patience might be good. Sorry, I'm out of ideas on how to do that one.
I assume the minefield looks innocuous, just like any other field. Perhaps if there are picture elements that demonstrate that apparent normality, combined with a picture title that shakes up that perception.
A minefield may also hold the sadness and memories of people killed there. How to convey that? Might be worth some thought.
You could always do a Google images search for minefield to see how others have done it. But going with your own personal reactions at the time will result in work that is distinctively yours.

 

[dave lackey]

How to shoot it?

1. Let someone else do it!
2. From a long distance!
3. If no other option exists, go back to #1!

 

[tlitody]

from a hot air baloon...

 

[karlori]

Thanks for the suggestions, next Sunday is "D-Day". I have talked to the guy who will be escorting me, he recomends no electronics on me so digital cameras are out of the question... That means I'll be going in with my ME super with the 28 2.0 and 50 1.4 lens on the Pentax. The minefield has only antipersonnel mines and none of them are magnetic so a mechanical camera will do just fine. What film would be appropriate ? I have a general idea which BW films i'll take but have no idea what color films would do fine on searing heat from 10AM to 4PM in the summer sun.