Abandonment
Took a walking tour of the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania
Took a walking tour of the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania
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Nov, 2018Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in February 2018 at the famed Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. It is where Al Capone was held in a very posh cell, but it is also notoriously haunted. Much of the grounds are still in ruin, however there are a few areas that have been renovated to show what the prison was like in its hayday as well as converted to a museum showing its history as well as the history of the US prison system. While most of the grounds didn't bother me, there were a few areas that I couldn't set foot in because all of a sudden the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my body just didn't feel right the closer I got to the area.Time
I got to the prison around 1pm and started the walking tour. The day was very overcast and reflected the gloom of the broken down prison. The weather was a misty atmosphere and had it been a bit warmer, I think there would have been a light fog through the prison. By the time I got to this outcasted building it was around 2pm and the early winter sun was beginning to set.Lighting
I got lucky with the light. I'm a sucker when it comes to light cascading through a window. I have always found that natural window light always casts some of the most beautiful shadows and creates an ambience like no other.Equipment
This was taken freehand with my Samsung Galaxy S9+ using no tripod or flash.Inspiration
Walking through the prison was an experience I would recommend to anyone. If you can get a chance to go when the foot traffic is minimal, it is your best chance to get photos that can capture the true atmosphere of this unique location. The echoing silence of this hallway just kept calling to me. I took several shots of this area with multiple filters to try to capture the lonely, harsh existence these men experienced.Editing
This was only post filtered with a black and white filter. Nothing more, nothing less.In my camera bag
After taking these photos with my phone, I invested in a Nikon D3600. I carry 6 different lenses with me, a cleaning kit, a mini tripod, a standard tripod, and an extra flash. I also carry multiple batteries as well as sd cards for extra storage.Feedback
Don't be afraid to feel. Many people I know who like photography do it looking for the wrong things. Their photos are good but often I find they are run-of-the mill. They feel no attachment. As strange as it sounds, I will go to a location and sit. I let the energy surround me and I will connect in any way that I can. When I do that, I look everywhere and anywhere. Sometimes you can find beautiful shots. Sometimes they find you. Either way, stay open to something out of the norm and look for all the angles you can.
