Photographer Carl Hyde is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this  portrait photography essay.  These images are from his project ‘Steel Fixers‘.  To see Carl’s gallery of projects click on any image.

 

Captions by Erminia Yardley.

 

What do those eyes say to you? Pip cannot see from one, but his view is as sharp as anything – he is hard working and sharp-tongued
What do those eyes say to you? Pip cannot see from one, but his view is as sharp as anything – he is hard working and sharp-tongued
Chathan Dock Yard, England

 

The eyes are the mirror to the soul – Nicky is one of the gang, a steelfixer, and an ex-solder, a young man working ungodly hours under all sorts of weather conditions
The eyes are the mirror to the soul – Nicky is one of the gang, a steelfixer, and an ex-solder, a young man working ungodly hours under all sorts of weather conditions.
Chathan Dock Yard, England

 

A steelfixer and a roadie? John’s beard reminds us of a docile man, one that would do anything for his family. Canterbury, UK
A steelfixer and a roadie? John’s beard reminds us of a docile man, one that would do anything for his family.
Canterbury, UK

 

Some tools of the trade – a potent reminder of the gritty world of steelfixers. These men work hard, underpaid and undervalued, never let it be said, we owe them BIG time! They are building houses, offices and all sorts of places for all of us, after all!
Some tools of the trade – a potent reminder of the gritty world of steelfixers. These men work hard, underpaid and undervalued, never let it be said, we owe them BIG time! They are building houses, offices and all sorts of places for all of us, after all!

 

Dartford, UK
Dartford, UK

 

Lee aka Barney Stubble needs no introduction – he is fixing bars of steel with a smile – what a service!
Lee aka Barney Stubble needs no introduction – he is fixing bars of steel with a smile – what a service!

 

Paul “the unit” – can be found as a smiling duo with his cousin Lee – something of a rare picture perhaps, but one that means a lot nevertheless – steelfixers do it with a smile. Dartford, UK
Paul “the unit” – can be found as a smiling duo with his cousin Lee – something of a rare picture perhaps, but one that means a lot nevertheless – steelfixers do it with a smile.
Dartford, UK

 

Oodles of tying wire ready for use
Oodles of tying wire ready for use

 

Arron “Asbo” - not his real name, but then again nobody knows his real name… Canterbury, UK
Arron “Asbo” – not his real name, but then again nobody knows his real name…
Canterbury, UK

 

Steelfixers are allowed breaks – but not too long ones – the pace is fast – the more steel is moved daily, the better and faster the job is completed (Ginger Jim in the photo) Canterbury, UK
Steelfixers are allowed breaks – but not too long ones – the pace is fast – the more steel is moved daily, the better and faster the job is completed (Ginger Jim in the photo)
Canterbury, UK

 

Northern Kev – a deserved break, a resigned face, a thoughtful expression. Canterbury, UK
Northern Kev – a deserved break, a resigned face, a thoughtful expression.
Canterbury, UK

 

An enormous steel re-bar slab: walking on it, daily, fixing, measuring, making sure everything fits properly otherwise it is scrapping and starting from scratch! Canterbury, UK
An enormous steel re-bar slab: walking on it, daily, fixing, measuring, making sure everything fits properly otherwise it is scrapping and starting from scratch!
Canterbury, UK

 

Canterbury, UK
Canterbury, UK

 

“Wild” Billy. A very young dude, with a family to be responsible for. Ready for action: there is trust in those eyes looking into the camera again, with a hint of tiredness. There is no rest for steelfixers, every minute counts otherwise there is no bread on the table. Greenwich, London
“Wild” Billy. A very young dude, with a family to be responsible for. Ready for action: there is trust in those eyes looking into the camera again, with a hint of tiredness. There is no rest for steelfixers, every minute counts otherwise there is no bread on the table.
Greenwich, London

 

See also:

Portraits

By Carl Hyde

 


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