12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 10: Panther Drilling Rig 1

13 12 2014

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Panther Drilling Rig 1.

Panther Rig 1 was shot during the same frigid February week that Precision Drilling Rig 120 was. Indeed, they were operating within site of each other, about 4 miles apart, north of Macoun. This was my very first winter shoot of a rig, and man, was it cold. I have much better boots now in part as a result of this shoot.

This was also the first rig where I got the idea to catch a picture of the rig sign on the way in.

When I first came in Estevan in 2008, Panther was a 2-rig company. Now they are a four-rig company, as are Red Dog and Betts, with Stampede and Crusader at 3. I get the feeling 4 rigs is a comfortable place to be.

Panther Rig 1 can be found here.

The rest of my rigs can be found here.

My 12 Rigs of Christmas is winding to a close, only two more to go. If anyone has a request, now is the time to let me know in the comments on my Facebook page.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 9: Red Dog Drilling Rig 4

12 12 2014

On the ninth day of Christmas, the toolpush gave to me… Red Dog Drilling Rig 4.

This rig was shot on its first hole in July of 2013. It was nice and shiny. People often ask how I get pictures of rigs so shiny. Well, there’s the secret. I try to get them right out of the gate. I’ve been able to do that for Vortex 1, Panther 4 and Red Dog 4.

The day was, in a word, perfect. Remember those sunflowers along the north side of Highway 13 near Kisbey a few years ago? It was just north of there. The sky was blue, there were just a few clouds to give the sky some definition, and the sunset was awesome.

Getting shots of the sunset involved shooting from one angle, booting ‘er with the tripod to the other berm on the opposite side of the lease, then jumping in my wife’s truck and shooting several angles while using a tripod in the bed of the truck from the road just off the lease as the sky changed colour.

These pictures ended up getting noticed by the directional drillers, and led to a subsequent shoot for them in 2014.

The 360 panorama from the drill floor required about 130 pictures, of which about 36 were chosen and merged into one enormous image.

The Red Dog Rig 4 gallery can be found here.

If you’re looking for more rigs, check out the master drilling gallery here.

I’ve pretty running out of time to take additional canvas orders to have them ready for Christmas. However, I can still do paper prints up to 16×20 ($100+tax) easily enough.

With only three days left in my 12 days of Christmas, who should I do next? Put your requests in the comments below!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 8: Stampede Drilling Rig 1

11 12 2014

Yesterday I posted Betts Drilling Rig 2, which was photographed on a beautiful summer day. Well, today’s rig was also taken on a sunny day, but it sure wasn’t summer. The Day 8 rig of the 12 Rigs of Christmas was photographed in the coldest conditions I have ever worked in. I didn’t even know if the cameras would work after a few minutes, but they did. It was something like -37 C with a -52 C wind chill. Thank God for hoarding around the drill floor! I felt really sorry for the roughnecks.

Did I mention there was a rig move involved too? In this God-forsaken cold weather? This was right around the time that Kory Sheets was working for Fast Trucking, although I didn’t see him on this move. I saw him on TV a few days later moving what looked like a CanElson or Betts rig. It was orange anyway.

Photos of Stampede 1 in all its frozen glory can be found here.

My other drilling rigs can be found here.

The photo lab suggested that all orders to Canada should be in by Dec. 8, or Monday. So if you would like a print of one of these pictures, please contact me directly at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net. With a giant Epson 9900 printer the size of a love seat and weighing 340 lbs., I have the ability to do paper prints up to 16×20 ($75, need to be framed) or 16×32 here in Estevan, or canvas prints from 18×24 ($240), 24×36 ($500) to 36×96 ($1900). Canvas prints cost about $80 per square foot. Canvas prints especially take a fair bit of work, so you need to order early.

I also may be able to order other sizes of prints from my Canadian lab, but those would need to be ordered quickly.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 6: Precision Drilling Rig 120

10 12 2014

A little late in the day posting this to the blog, but here goes: Precision Drilling Rig 120 is the Day 6 rig of the 12 Rigs of Christmas. It was photographed on an extremely cold February day north of Macoun. I was happy to have fingers when I was done.
This photo shoot was very unique. The mineral rights owners, originally from around here, now live in BC. But they were getting a few holes drilled on their land, and they really wanted one, just one, very large canvas for their wall to remind them where the royalty cheques were coming from. The first hole was drilled by CanElson 21 that October, but I was not able to make it work out. The second hole was drilled towards the end of the winter drilling season, and that did indeed come to pass.
As for the AT-ATs attacking the rig, well, I’ve posted it a few times, because some days it feels damned appropriate.
Photos of this rig can be found here.
My other drilling rigs can be found here.
The photo lab suggested that all orders to Canada should be in by Dec. 8, or yesterday. So if you would like a print of one of these pictures, please contact me directly at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net. I have the ability to do paper prints up to 16×20 ($75, need to be framed) or 16×32 here in Estevan, or canvas prints from 18×24 ($240), 24×36 ($500) to 36×96 ($1900). Canvas prints cost about $80 per square foot. Canvas prints especially take a fair bit of work, so you need to order early.
I also may be able to order other sizes of prints from my Canadian lab, but those would need to be ordered quickly.
Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 5: Vortex Rig 1

8 12 2014

The photo printing lab strongly recommends that orders be in by Dec. 8 in order to be sure they make it for Christmas, so I am accelerating my “12 Rigs of Christmas.”

What do you buy a guy who as all the toys and works in the patch?

How about a gorgeous wall print of their favorite rig? Over the past several years, I have photographed most of the locally owned rigs in southeast Saskatchewan, including rigs from Betts Drilling, Red Dog Drilling, Panther Drilling, Stampede Drilling and Vortex Drilling. There’s even an occasional Savannah, CanElson and Precision, too!

In that vein, I am presenting the 12 rigs of Christmas. Next up: Vortex Rig 1, which was photographed southwest of Lake Alma. on its first hole. It was nice and shiny as a result. This rig started my commercial photography business, and opened my eyes to what is possible. It was a gorgeous June day, and the lighting was perfect. To order find a picture just right for you, click here.

But don’t wait for your particular rig to come up. They can all be found here.

You can order any size, from tiny up to 40×60 inches, so there’s something for every budget.

Until Dec. 11, there is a 15% coupon on all Panther Drilling prints. This includes Rig 1, 2, 3 and 4. Enter coupon code: Vortex

(HOWEVER, please noted orders should be in by Dec. 8 to be sure they will make it here by Christmas. There may be a rush delivery option, but I’m not sure. If you choose to order something after Dec. 8, please contact me directly at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net before placing an order, as I might have to print it here in Estevan.)

You can order prints off my website, perfect for delivery for Christmas. Just click on the green “Buy Photos” They can be printed as gallery wrap canvases, metal prints, or even on coffee cups. The turnaround for almost all these orders in 1-3 business days. Allow for shipping from California, where the lab is located.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 4: Panther Rig 4

8 12 2014

The photo printing lab strongly recommends that orders be in by Dec. 8 in order to be sure they make it for Christmas, so I am accelerating my “12 Rigs of Christmas.”

What do you buy a guy who as all the toys and works in the patch?

How about a gorgeous wall print of their favorite rig? Over the past several years, I have photographed most of the locally owned rigs in southeast Saskatchewan, including rigs from Betts Drilling, Red Dog Drilling, Panther Drilling, Stampede Drilling and Vortex Drilling. There’s even an occasional Savannah, CanElson and Precision, too!

In that vein, I am presenting the 12 rigs of Christmas. Next up: Panther Drilling Rig 4, which was photographed just north of Estevan, on its first hole. It was nice and shiny as a result. To order find a picture just right for you, click here.

But don’t wait for your particular rig to come up. They can all be found here.

You can order any size, from tiny up to 40×60 inches, so there’s something for every budget.

Until Dec. 11, there is a 15% coupon on all Panther Drilling prints. This includes Rig 1, 2, 3 and 4. Enter coupon code: Panther

(HOWEVER, please noted orders should be in by Dec. 8 to be sure they will make it here by Christmas. There may be a rush delivery option, but I’m not sure.)

You can order prints off my website, perfect for delivery for Christmas. Just click on the green “Buy Photos” They can be printed as gallery wrap canvases, metal prints, or even on coffee cups. The turnaround for almost all these orders in 1-3 business days. Allow for shipping from California, where the lab is located.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 3: Red Dog 3

7 12 2014

Got a rig hand or someone else who works in the patch on your Christmas list and you have no clue what to buy them?

How about a gorgeous wall print of their favorite rig? Over the past several years, I have photographed most of the locally owned rigs in southeast Saskatchewan, including rigs from Betts Drilling, Red Dog Drilling, Panther Drilling, Stampede Drilling and Vortex Drilling. There’s even an occasional Savannah, CanElson and Precision, too!

I am presenting the 12 rigs of Christmas. Next up: Red Dog Drilling Rig 3, which was photographed near Northgate. To order find a picture just right for you, click here.

But don’t wait for your particular rig to come up. They can all be found here.
You can order any size, from tiny up to 40×60 inches, so there’s something for every budget.

My intention was to post these one day at a time, but due to shipping deadlines, I am pushing out the first 5 rigs on a quicker schedule. The lab recommends orders be submitted by Dec. 8.

Until Dec. 11, there is a 15% coupon on all Red Dog Drilling prints. This includes Rig 1, 2, 3 and 4. Enter coupon code: RedDog

You can indeed order prints off my website, perfect for delivery for Christmas. Just click on the green “Buy Photos” They can be printed as gallery wrap canvases, metal prints, or even on coffee cups. The turnaround for almost all these orders in 1-3 business days. Allow for shipping from California, where the lab is located, so I wouldn’t wait to order. I just checked and they recommended ordering by Dec. 8., otherwise you’re taking your chances. Otherwise you might have to do rush shipping, which costs a premium. If you have any questions, contact me directly.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 2: Stampede Drilling Rig 2

7 12 2014

Got a rig hand or someone else who works in the patch on your Christmas list and you have no clue what to buy them?

How about a gorgeous wall print of their favorite rig? Over the past several years, I have photographed most of the locally owned rigs in southeast Saskatchewan, including rigs from Betts Drilling, Red Dog Drilling, Panther Drilling, Stampede Drilling and Vortex Drilling. There’s even an occasional Savannah, CanElson and Precision, too!

Thus I am presenting the 12 rigs of Christmas. Next up: Stampede Drilling Rig 2, which was photographed near North Portal and Bienfait. To order find a picture just right for you, click here.

These pictures are very special, in that they are the closest you will likely ever see a dragline and a drilling rig working together just before spring breakup of 2014. They were directly across the road from each other. Knowing a person may never see that happen again in their lifetime, I went out two evenings and one morning and took 1400 pictures to get these shots. My fingers were pretty frozen as a result, but they truly do encapsulate Estevan as the Energy City.

You don’t have to wait for your particular rig to come up on the 12 days. They can all be found here.

You can order any size, from tiny up to 40×60 inches, so there’s something for every budget.

Until Dec. 9, there is a 15% coupon on all Stampede Drilling prints. This includes Rig 1, 2. Sorry, Rig 3 isn’t complete yet. Enter coupon code: Stampede

You can indeed order prints off my website, perfect for delivery for Christmas. Just click on the green “Buy Photos” They can be printed as gallery wrap canvases, metal prints, or even on coffee cups. The turnaround for almost all these orders in 1-3 business days. Allow for shipping from California, where the lab is located, so I wouldn’t wait to order after Dec. 16 or so, otherwise you’re taking your chances.

Merry Christmas!


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12 Rigs of Christmas: Day 1: Betts Drilling Rig 1

6 12 2014

Got a rig hand on your Christmas list and you have no clue what to buy them?

How about a gorgeous wall print of their favorite rig? Over the past several years, I have photographed most of the locally owned rigs in southeast Saskatchewan, including rigs from Betts Drilling, Red Dog Drilling, Panther Drilling, Stampede Drilling and Vortex Drilling. There’s even an occasional Savannah, CanElson and Precision, too!

Until Dec. 8, there is a 15% coupon on all Betts Drilling prints. This includes Rig 1, 2, 3 and 4. Enter Coupon Code: Betts

I was reminded today that you can indeed order prints off my website, perfect for delivery for Christmas.They can be printed as gallery wrap canvases, metal prints, or even on coffee cups. The turnaround for almost all these orders in 1-3 business days. Allow for shipping from California, where the lab is located, so I wouldn’t wait to order after Dec. 16 or so, otherwise you’re taking your chances.

In that vein, I am presenting the 12 rigs of Christmas. First up: Betts Drilling Rig 1, which was photographed on its first hole near Northgate, Sask. Just click here to be taken to the gallery. To order find a picture just right for you, click here.

But don’t wait for your particular rig to come up. They can all be found here.

Merry Christmas!

Betts_Rig1-2564_65_66_67_68_69_70


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A niche shooting drilling rigs

28 10 2014

I just got back from a rig shoot all over the foothills. While shooting, I will often set up my GoPro cameras to take pictures from interesting perspectives. They take a picture every two seconds. Occasionally I end up in the picture, so it’s nice to have proof that I actually exist on “film,” as it were.

The client had considered other pro commercial photographers that I had referred them to, but they wanted someone who knows rigs inside and out. I guess I have found a niche. Now I have to tackle this and a mountain of other editting here.


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