A view out into Lutien mine in north eastern China (2009), taken as night fell. This open cast mine was one of the world's last to still feature its own steam railway. I was curious to see what the place would look like if I slowed everything down through a long exposure. I wanted to emphasise the landscape's epic, other-worldly qualities. Kodak Portra film brought out the coldness of the temperature (about minus 20). Work went on in the mine 24 hours a day, and there are points of light that illuminate workers huts, frozen waterfalls and mining activity.