A couple of weeks ago I went on a photo shoot to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, along with some friends. I have lost count of how many times I have been there. This February day it was very cold and we weren’t planning on staying long so I went my own way and got right to work. With each visit it gets a little more difficult to find something I haven’t photographed before, but I enjoy the challenge. I bypassed the popular barber’s chair and Capone’s cell, scanning the cell blocks, looking for something other than the typical images of cells and halls. Displayed are a few favorites from the morning. An old boot I had seen and photographed before turned out better with a second try. I liked that it added a human element and completed the found still life. I noticed a mysterious, mossy wall with a blocked doorway that spoke to me and framed an unconventional composition, juxtaposing the radiator with the doorway. Windows showed their character with exposed stone and plaster and an entrance to the hospital ward cast some interesting shadows. Finally sun streaming in some doorways reminded me of the very different world outside these walls, both then and now.
I enjoy going back to locations I find interesting because it gives me a chance to study a place more completely, fine-tune compositions and discover new ones. Returning to Eastern State Penitentiary on several occasions over the years has been both visually rewarding and a lot of fun!
Denise Bush's Photo Blog 