Weekly Challenge: Abandoned

Fifth Time In The Pen
Photo trip number five to Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary Museum was during a special offer for photographers, in the hours pre and post twilight. I searched for subjects that I had not photographed before and found a few to my liking. First I looked outside while there was still some light and found some architectural elements from 1903 that were now weathered and worn and hiding secrets within. In one cell there were some puzzling bowls… some look like toilets and others more like planters. A mysterious red glow emanated from a left-behind box and I captured the glow that only I could see. I found a desk, bathed in warm desk-lamp light while the cool tones of twilight streamed in from above. As I walked around alone looking and thinking about those who had spent time there, I sensed the presence of lingering spirits.

Let There Be Light
‘Let There Be Light’ © Denise Bush
Built In 1903
‘Built In 1903’ © Denise Bush
Room With Bowls
‘Room With Bowls’ © Denise Bush
Red Glow
‘Red Glow’ © Denise Bush

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denisebushphoto

My passion for photography has rewarded me with the opportunity to examine the world carefully. My approach is intuitive and I choose to impose no constraints – leaving myself open only to possibilities. As a professional designer I am drawn to images that offer a strong composition, pattern and rhythm. Creating images with a unique perspective while sometimes pushing the limits of traditional composition 'rules' excites me. Landscapes, nature subjects and things from the past are common themes in my work.

23 thoughts on “Weekly Challenge: Abandoned”

  4. I was at the pen the other day. Loved it! But, I wish that I could have been there with less tourists. It has such amazing energy and I felt a little sad that there so many people running around.

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  6. I visited there back in 2008 and took tons of pictures. It was a really neat place. When I was going through the pictures, one looks as though there is a spirit present…

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      1. That’s really cool! I really need to find the particular picture that I took to compare. For some reason I remember it being in that same cell. That would be really freaky if that was the case.

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  8. Great set of photographs as usual. This is a well photographed place but you seem to keep it fresh by finding new perspectives. I love how you are focusing on the color plays. The first image is absolutely wonderful in that regard.

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    1. Thank you Rich! ESP seems to be a good place to capture images that have both warm & cool light. I liked a few of my pics that had captured this in the past and am now more aware of it.

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  9. Very moving in a subtle, eerie way. I’ve always been attracted to places such as this and abandoned structures in gen. I visited ESP 2X once about 18 yrs ago & again some years after; the pics are B/W film and Kodacromes. Would be interested in revisiting.

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