Steetley Moonlight Explore - Hartlepool - September 2011

[Dissimulate]

This site is almost a tourist attraction in the North East and as such had been posted millions of times, but for anyon that isnt familiar with it i'll post a brief history of the place:

Steetley Acquired the site in 1937 to use a new technique to extract magnesium form the sea water, the plant opened the following year in 1938.
In 1961 the chimney was built on the site and the following year brought the addition of the "worlds largest settling tank".
The site in full swing in 1967 was producing up to 5,147 tons of magnesium per week.
In 1997 the site was taken over by Britmag, only to go into administration 5 years later in 2002, the site then re opened as CJC Chemicals.
3 years later in 2005 the site fell into disrepair and stopped production.

Since closure several companies have been given demolition contracts only to run out of money, or be hit by restrictions due to wildlife. All buildings are new just piles of rubble but all settling tanks still remain in place, parts of their walls knocked out to drain the water and stop local children swimming in them!.


So, what started out as a drive though seaham with a mate turned into an hour or twos wander around good ol' Steetley.
On entering the site via the tunnel entrance we noticed a security cabin and 2 large diggers.
Popped my head round the cabin door expecting to be told to F**k off as demo crews are there again, but apparently he was guarding the equipment as they are putting new sewerage pipes down, and said he was happy for us to be around the area taking photos. He did mention that a company have been given a new contract for demolition but as yet are unsure what is going to happen with the site, apparently the housing estate is planned for the opposite side of the cemetary and not this site.

The moonlight was epic, i mean like seriously bright! could see everything perfectly with no need for torches or any light painting at all.

Despite having to hang off the tripod several times to keep the camera still most my photos came out in focus.
Also i think its worth mentioning i used no HDR in any of these and in fact most are almost totally un edited apart from pulling the colour out a little bit, have had a few people ask if they were HDR or heavily edited.
The Photos:

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.


10.


11.


12.

[Clough]

Nice bang some coloured flashes on them badboys, mintage I prefer night photography is harder but get more interesting photos

[Dissimulate]

think that would have ruined it a bit that night, love the pureness of the moonlight. Maybe another night though! :-D

[scrappy]

great looking pics! well done, still have to nip here when im next up that way!

[Dissimulate]

Giz a shout if you're up this way, never turn down a chance to go there :-)

[scrappy]

Giz a shout if you're up this way, never turn down a chance to go there :-)

will do mate, should be in the next couple of months!

[MJS]

Very nice indeedio

[mr beardy]

Very nice fella

[Nicola]

Top dollar - looks like a lunar space station in some of the shots!

[Only2Eyes]

Very nicely done