Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a nuclear research facility located in the high desert west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is sort of shrouded in secrecy and has been a source of intrigue for many of the residents of eastern Idaho (myself included). Over the last few years, I've had the occasional opportunity to assist archeologists and historians at INL with HAER (Historical American Engineering Report) and HALS (Historic American Landscape Survey) reports. Information about these reports can be found here.
These reports are usually prepared when structures or landscapes of historical importance are going to be destroyed or significantly altered. The photographic requirements are that the images are made with a large format film camera and processed and printed to a certain archival standard. The reports, including the 4x5 negatives and prints are ultimately housed in the library of congress.
The work is highly directed (they tell me what to photograph and what not to photograph). Because of security issues at INL, I photograph with an escort. Although the historians tell me what to photograph, I still find there is room for decision making and some significant technical challenges that allow me to make satisfying imagery.
This is a sampling of photographs made for the reports.
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a nuclear research facility located in the high desert west of Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is sort of shrouded in secrecy and has been a source of intrigue for many of the residents of eastern Idaho (myself included). Over the last few years, I've had the occasional opportunity to assist archeologists and historians at INL with HAER (Historical American Engineering Report) and HALS (Historic American Landscape Survey) reports. Information about these reports can be found here.
These reports are usually prepared when structures or landscapes of historical importance are going to be destroyed or significantly altered. The photographic requirements are that the images are made with a large format film camera and processed and printed to a certain archival standard. The reports, including the 4x5 negatives and prints are ultimately housed in the library of congress.
The work is highly directed (they tell me what to photograph and what not to photograph). Because of security issues at INL, I photograph with an escort. Although the historians tell me what to photograph, I still find there is room for decision making and some significant technical challenges that allow me to make satisfying imagery.
This is a sampling of photographs made for the reports.