Plastics: turning waste into a resource

As mentioned some months ago, Sebastian and I were working on an essay for this year’s Imagine Cup.

The photos were taken at a facility that sorts PET bottles by color (which will be turned into granulate and eventually in PET bottles again). For more information about the process make sure to check out the PDF-presentation which can be found here.

Keep in mind that some storytelling photos are missing as Sebastian took them.

At the office.

Inside the facility.

That’s pretty much the first step – cracking the bottles and roughly seperating them from the useless garbage.

Yay for distorted skulls.

First step of fully automatic sorting – it’s quite dark here (iso3200, f/2,8, 1/60).

Those ladies pick any stuff that doesn’t fit in which the machine didn’t sort out.

As you can see, I’ve been quite a Nachtwey focal-lenghtwise.

But the easiness of composing with an ultra-wide-angle is addictive.

Nothing special for sure but I like it still. Should’ve added some blood.

Eye-candy.

Might sound snobbish but I tend to like what we did – considering this is our first time, I’m actually somewhat happy. There is – of course – a lot to improve but still, it’s arlight. I think the PDF shows what it’s all about and the photos are alright.

Still, we got turned down. Which is alright, don’t get me wrong. When you get turned down it’s usually for something better. But when I open those 6 winning presentation there is something inside me asking me that fundamental question: What the hell? Apparently, taking a picture of a rubber that has planet earth painted on implies that it’s important to save the planet. Of course. Rubber! Hell, it’s a fucking condom – saver PLANET. Jesus, genius. Or kids and some snail. Or a footprint and some flowers – of course! We gotta watch our footprints that we leave each and every day here. Genius! People that come up with that kind of concepts are obviously genius – or gifted. Gifted is one of those terms that I love most – it’s basically saying that somebody doesn’t understand how and why but is way too lazy to find out – so whoever does this or that must be gifted. Of course, if you’re physically handicapped and yet become a professional basketball player – kudos, you’re most likely gifted. What the hell am I talking about anyways.

I guess that’s the osculation point (course, I had to look this up) of photo journalism: Either it’s freaking adorable or freaking ugly, grey, dirty and looks a tiny bit vintage.

Nice.

I just sneezed and in that aft I completely forgot what I actually wanted to say.

What the hell.

Here’s a photo of a dog. I like dogs. I actually don’t but that’s not important. Let’s look at a dog:

So after all that, consider me a spoiled, selfish, arrogant, ignorant, pretentious, mediocre, pathetic and stupid bastard – it’s alright.

Enjoy yourself while you can,

Bernhard