When Coal Was Once 'King' by photostar
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Description
Having lived on and off in the NE area of Pennsylvania, I decided to do a render on the strip mining of the anthracite coal regions and the huge pits, here, which still remain long after the mineral has been extracted from the ground.
Known as the 'black diamond,' coal was a very lucrative and profitable industry in the region at one time. Today, a few large companies still operate, but mostly, it's independent miners going underground with small operations.
This area is also famous for the 'Molly Maguires' Google it...great information.
There are many such pits as this in my area, never reclaimed and closed. Some are really scary such as the image in the render...having filled with water and becoming a dumping ground for everything from household waste to vehicles.
Recently, two individuals were walking near one of the large pits in this area and for whatever reason, got into an argument and a push and shove scuffle between them ensued resulting in one of them falling some 500 feet down into a 700 foot deep pit. This pit is some 4000 ft. long, 1800 feet wide and 700 feet in depth. He was eventually rescued, but quite badly hurt.
In my render for today, you can still see some of the shiny coal seam near the bottom of the pit at the water line.
Enjoy and thanks for viewing and commenting.
Bryce, resized, sharpened and signature with Paint.Net
P.S. On another note, I found out yesterday afternoon that I was named 'Showcase Artist for May' over at ArtNutz.us.
Comments (46)
ledwolorz
Fantastic landscape and wonderful work.
Heathcroft
Very interesting and informative, Keith- you really should be writing for the National Geographic. The render really does give that sense of great height / depth and the coal face does gleam (black gold). Congratulations on your award - I'm sure you will do the same here before long.
capelito
Fantastic Bryce work. Excellent landscape and textures. excellent work.
evinrude
Here's to you, buckeye. I'm from Williamsport, myself (the village of Linden, actually). Good render, bolstered by a rich and often devastating history.
Kuiski
Yeah!!!! A very cool and splendid work Keith! nice done. :D
furuta
Great scene. how beautiful!!
KarmaSong
Excellent Bryce work, Keith, as usual! I like the lighting more particularly here, evoking the Summer season.
lucindawind
oh my you are so good .. even the water is the right colour & murkiness .. you are outstanding Keith in Bryce !
emmecielle
beautiful work! :)
Chipka
Congratulations on getting the Showcase Artist for May Award...you richly deserve it. As for this image, I love your range! This is a fantastic image and it's a perfect compliment to your more otherworldly renders! You make fantastic use of light and texture and I'm always incredibly glad to see new stuff popping up! Great work!
daffodilbaggins
Wow! Thanks for the info--it's a pretty intense view from here too! And congrats on being Showcase Artist--you deserve it!
wawadave
i was a miner for many years now too screwed up to be anything but you got the area looking spot on!
leeatsjt
Awesome render. I especially like the depth of it! And the way the terrain closest to the sky kind of takes on the bluish color.
shahlaa
Beautiful textures and formation Keith, looks so very realistic, very well done!
Vik9740
your state must have very relaxed reclaiming laws.... never would a mine be left in that shape in this area. It is sad that people lose their lives on them... around here there are 4 wheelers riding all the time and on an active job, the site changes daily so a road there today is gone tomorrow. Yet, they still ride on private property and lose their lives and limbs. I guess it's human nature to love danger! Congrats on your AOM!!!!
clam73
great detailed terrain and nice render....excellent!! :-)