<< Previous Next >>

Back in Time


Back in Time
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralph Starck (HapiSnapa) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 150 W: 5 N: 210] (1642)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-26
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Nikon D 300, Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR, Marumi CPL
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-28 0:44
Viewed: 104
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Portland Cement Works - Warkworth

This plant was the first to manufacture Portland Cement in New Zealand and operated from 1884 until 1929. These engineering remains (2km south of Warkworth) are an important part of New Zealand’s engineering heritage. They are registered as a Category 1 Historic Place. Opened in 1876 to produce hydraulic lime, the plant was developed in 1884 to become the first Portland cement works in the Southern Hemisphere. The works were closed in 1928

In 1883 Nathaniel Wilson of Warkworth began experimenting with local materials to produce Portland cement. With the assistance of J A Pond, government analyst in Auckland, full-scale production began under the name John Wilson and Company. This local production of Portland cement with the first both in New Zealand and in the Southern Hemisphere, and introduced an important building construction product to the colony at a time when the same product was far from being in general use elsewhere in the world.

Wilson expanded his works to increase production by utilising the latest in overseas technology. In the mid-1890s he sent his son to the United States, following which visit rotary kilns and ball and tube grinding mills were installed, providing for high capacity output to the growing colony. Production grew from 1520 tonnes in 1897 to 7620 tonnes by 1902, and with a major extension to the works in 1903 annual production rose to 20230 tonnes.

The availability of Portland cement in tonnage quantities from the beginning of this century enabled rapid development of durable port facilities, particularly in Auckland.

The Mahurangi remains are also notable in that the 1903 extensions used unreinforced concrete walls of about 225mm thickness and 12m height which are still standing though much of the structure is derelict.

PP work: adjustment to details and colour using the Topaz Adjust filter in Photoshop.

Thanks for looking.
Sharpshooter has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

hi ralph
very striking building,excellent detail your topaz works great beautiful sky.
regards
jimmy

Were ineresting picture on many levels

1st i didnt think there was anything THAT old in NZ :)
2nd Surreal contrasting
3rd well framed
4th its got me getting Topaz

cheers

  • Great 
  • jackal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 3 N: 212] (2865)
  • [2009-10-28 12:17]

Hi Ralph,
a great subject and well suited to the topaz treatment, its interesting how Industries come and go
cheers
Jack

Nice treatment of an interesting building - nice and simple composition wise, focussing on detail and colour. TFS, Cerys

Hi Ralph,
Nice work with topaz, the tones and colours look great. I may have been tempted to brighten up the side of the cement plant a tad, but the contrast throughout the rest of the image looks great. The defined clouds against the blue sky look good too.

TFS,
Scott.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF