Thank you for your patience while we retrieve your images.

20 photos
This series was begun in 1998 when I joined a group of photographers who were allowed access to the historic Gladding McBean clay plant in Lincoln, CA. This plant has been in continuous operation since1875 and makes clay pipe and also high quality architectural terra cotta for historic buildings undergoing renovating.


Since that first visit, I have returned several times each year, always finding new subject matter. This includes the interior and exterior of the plant buildings, various types of machinery, beehive and shuttle kilns, as well as drying clay products.


Lighting conditions inside the plant can range from very soft to extremely harsh. Exposures can run to many minutes, especially inside the beehive kilns, where the only light comes from several light bulbs suspended from the top of the dome.

Clay Nude on Cart

Clay Nude on Cart

Clay Pot, Corrugated Cardboard

Clay Pot, Corrugated Cardboard

Cart with Burlap Bags

Cart with Burlap Bags

Boot Prints

Boot Prints

Windows, Drying Clay Pots

Windows, Drying Clay Pots

Round Steel Plates

Round Steel Plates

Terra Cotta Feet

Terra Cotta Feet

Wall, Steel Fabrication

Wall, Steel Fabrication

Two Clay Nudes

Two Clay Nudes

Gypsum Castings

Gypsum Castings

Roof Beams, Unfired Clay Pipe

Roof Beams, Unfired Clay Pipe

Roof Tiles

Roof Tiles

Mud Tracks

Mud Tracks

Pond, Reeds

Pond, Reeds

Torn Metal Siding

Torn Metal Siding

Six Stacks, Clouds

Six Stacks, Clouds

Two Clay Nudes

Two Clay Nudes

Drying Terra Cotta Pipe Sections

Drying Terra Cotta Pipe Sections

Conveyor Building, Clouds

Conveyor Building, Clouds

Concrete Wall, Clay Plant, Clouds

Concrete Wall, Clay Plant, Clouds