port photography – expansion projects
Portfolio
Port Photography
expansion project of port in Paraná - Brazil
land, sea, and air photography
The photography work documenting the TCP expansion project at the Port of Paranaguá was carried out in two phases under two separate contracts.
One contract was to document the expansion of the TCP yard, increasing its capacity to receive container ships, and the other was to document the dredging work to increase the draft for receiving larger ships—a complex operation that also required environmental impact monitoring on marine fauna.
Photographing port construction projects is always very intense and complex, as it requires shooting from land, sea, and air.
Expansion of the TCP Container Yard
Walking around the equipment I needed to photograph at a construction site with an offshore component and the entire TCP structure surrounding it—as with all industrial photography—requires an extra measure of attention and preparation.
Climbing up and down platforms installed at sea for pile driving, moving from one platform to another using various types of vessels, climbing ladders with guardrails while pulling a backpack with equipment, and setting up tripods and cameras while being careful of the movement of cranes and other surrounding equipment. What an epic journey, what a lot of activity.
During a single visit, it was possible to see firsthand why NRs 12, 18, and 35 ( Brazilian safety trainnings) are essential when it comes to safety in these locations, and the importance of having someone accompany us, even with experience.
Another incredible thing was being able to fly over and take aerial photographs of a construction site like this. Seeing the equipment and people in motion from above was also quite an experience. There are so many different nuances and a very special color palette that the place offers.
draft-deepening work
combined with a lesson on respecting local marine life
The expansion project for the TCP yard increased the size of ships that can dock there, which in turn created a need to deepen the port’s access channel—since the seabed contained rocks—requiring rock-blasting work and dragging. Imagine my surprise when, years later, I was hired by another company to photograph this process.
At the invitation of OceanPact Geociências, the company contracted for this work—which included monitoring and protecting marine life in the vicinity of the site—I photographed the entire process of pre- and post-blasting preparations, and especially the technology used to clear marine life from the area to prevent accidents. Photographs of the demolition process and the measures taken to protect the port’s wildlife.
A true lesson in diverse technologies combined with respect and care for marine life. In many instances, curious dolphins would appear to see what was going on. New terms, new knowledge, new faces, and a myriad of stories told and yet to be told across two exciting projects at different times. Days of contrasting weather that yielded many, many incredible photos—and made it very difficult for me to choose just a few to illustrate this page.
I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all the professionals who accompanied me throughout the process, and especially to the companies Destaca Engenharia, Máquina Solo, and OceanPact.
have a look too
Or call me +55-11-98501-8601
Or e-mail me digaoi@loripaula.com