A picture of Rockwool insulation on tower blocks in Portsmouth – part of a major inner city refurbishment project


Another big name, and a massive construction site. Rockwool. I was commissioned by Wildwood PR to photograph the Rockwool products being installed as over cladding on enormous tower blocks in Portsmouth.

The product in question was the insulation, which was fitted within the Metsec cladding system before being covered with a waterproof membrane, boarding and the external cladding panels.

This was a truly enormous construction refurbishment project, with Keepmoat being the main contractor.

This picture was taken using my Canon 6D and Canon 17-40mm F4 L Lens on my Manfrotto Tripod. This lens really is my workshorse lens, giving me that wide 17mm on my full frame Canon DSLR. I needed the full 17mm for this picture. One of the things I have to contend with is converging verticals, and sometimes my Canon 24mm tilt shift lens just isn’t wide enough, so I use my 17mm lens which gives me enough space around the edges to allow for vertical correction without having to go into Photoshop and do something terribly clever but terribly time consuming.

Another thing that I have to contend with when taking photographs on major constrcution sites is the PPE that I have to wear. The tricky bits are the hard hat and the safety glasses, which are really challenging to me as a photographer.

But essential kit. Not complaining here – just saying that these things have to be managed.

I have a speclailist hard hat with a short peak, and a way round the glasses challenge – these are just things I have to be prepared to deal with.

Which is fine.

On this shoot, I produced a wide variety of images, including a big panoramic picture of the entire rear elevation from ground level. The picture on this page was photographed from a first-floor car park, and shows the before and during views, and also gives an idea of the scale of the project.

Rick McEvoy Photography

Construction photographer in Hampshire

Tuesday 30th May 2017

Rick McEvoy

I am Rick McEvoy, an architectural and construction photographer living and working in the South of England. I create high quality architectural photography and construction photography imagery of the built environment for architects and commercial clients. I do not photograph weddings, families, small people or pets - anything that is alive, moves or might not do as I ask!! I am also the creator of the Photography Explained Podcast, available on all major podcast providers. I have a blog on my website where I write about my work and photography stuff. Rick McEvoy ABIPP, MCIOB

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