VIRTUAL TOUR: Martyn Pitt A Life in Photography at National Coal Mining Museum for England

Virtual 3D tour of Martyn Pitt photo exhibition enables visitors to explore the NCMME exhibition online for free and hear him talk about his incredible photographs

VIRTUAL TOUR: Visit the NCMME's exhibition Martyn Pitt: A Life In Photography - CLICK HERE.

The temporary exhibition runs physically at the NCMME at Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, until Sunday, February 18. For more visit ncm.org.uk.

This exhibition showcases the remarkable career and work of Martyn Pitt – the national photographer for the coal industry.

In a first for the Museum, the comprehensive portfolio of the final years of coal mining has been captured virtually, so the exhibition will remain available online for future visitors to explore.

Viewers can also click on 'hotspots' throughout the digital tour to hear Pitt talking about the stories behind his work. They can also view enlarged images of his striking photography up-close and read captions from the comfort of their own homes, wherever they are in the world.

This innovative virtual tour solidifies the Museum's status as a national institution and was created by Yorkshire-based Front Row Live brothers Josh and Harry Walker, who specialise in creating immersive 3D and 360° experiences.

Martyn Pitt exploring the exhibition with Pete Wordsworth, Deputy Mine Manager, reminiscing about the final decades of mining. Photo by NCMME

Pitt documented the evolution and twilight years of coal mining throughout his 30-year tenure behind the lens, retiring in 2012.

The focal point of the exhibition is Pitt's underground photography, offering visitors an exclusive glimpse into the stories, conditions, and practices from the industry’s last years.

The Museum acquired Pitt's image archive in 2014, covering the privatisation period from 1994 to 2012, featuring film negatives and digital photographs from his time at British Coal, RJB Mining, and UK Coal.

These images served various purposes, appearing in mining reviews, safety posters, newspapers, and more, making them the sole visual record of mining during that crucial period.

Visitors can explore the temporary exhibition at the museum until February 18 but the online virtual tour will remain open as a legacy asset. Photo by JMA Photography

Lynn Dunning, CEO of the National Coal Mining Museum for England, said “We are thrilled to launch our first 3D exhibition tour, and we look forward to continuing this with our future exhibitions. It is great timing as with the launch of 84/85 – The Longest Year in March, we’ll be able to reach new audiences, both nationally and globally, with our exciting digital offer”.