Joseph Blum spent decades as a boilermaker, ship-fitter and welder. He’s a tradesman who loved the labor process so much that when we retired, he dedicated himself to documenting it in both words and photographs. 

For 15 years, Joe has documented the construction of the new east span of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, capturing amazing views of workers 600 feet above the Bay. 

He describes the process, starting with photographing the day soil samples were first taken for the project to maneuvering high above the ground with the workers while in his 70s. 

Joe explains why he was so passionate about showing off these unsung heroes of civil works projects who most of us take for granted. 

We also talk to Joe about how very different his life is at 72 than it would have been a generation ago and how he felt when he realized he had outlived his father, on the day he climbing hundreds of feet above the San Francisco Bay. 

To check out more of Joe’s stunning photographs, click here to visit josephablumphotography.com.