Returning To Prison

17Feb15

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!

‘Still Life With Boot’ © Denise Bush

‘Tomb Of The Unknown’ © Denise Bush

‘Looking Out, Looking In’ © Denise Bush

‘Hospital Ward Entrance’ © Denise Bush

Filed under: Abandoned, Photography | 48 Comments
Tags: abandoned, decay, Eastern State Penitentiary, HDR, old, philadelphia, photograph, photography, prison, window

48 Responses to “Returning To Prison”

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1 Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós on February 17, 2015 said:

So incredible! Thanks for sharing.

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- 2 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you Isabel!!!
  
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3 Eliza Waters on February 17, 2015 said:

Such interesting compositions, Denise. Kind of creepy in a way, but compelling to think about it in its heyday. One can hear echoes of the past from these photos.

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- 4 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks Eliza … yes, creepy in an interesting way.
  
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5 rutakintome on February 17, 2015 said:

I love your work in abandoned places! Bravo!

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- 6 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks so much for coming to look and the nice comment! 🙂
  
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7 Jane Lurie on February 17, 2015 said:

This set is really good, Denise. The clarity of the textures is terrific and the compositions are interesting.

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- 8 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks Jane. It is definitely a place for texture … with peeling paint, rust and decay everywhere!
  
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9 Jeff Maddox on February 17, 2015 said:

Wonderful! Loved it!

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- 10 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks Jeff … I’m glad you liked the images.
  
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11 Marian St.Clair on February 18, 2015 said:

Gosh, it even looks cold.

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- 12 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Well it can be darn hot and humid there (which has been my experience every other time) so I actually welcomed the cold! Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.
  
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13 infraredrobert on February 18, 2015 said:

Always a challenge to not go with the standard shots – but these places are so large that multiple visits are often necessary. Great shots of this grand place – a model for reuse though tourism.

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- 14 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you Robert. Wouldn’t it be great if more places like this opened up to us photogs!?
  
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  - 15 infraredrobert on February 18, 2015 said:
    
    Yes – they were VERY photo friendy
16 eajackson on February 18, 2015 said:

Its is nice for me to visit your photo’s again of the prison. I have yet to go there but love seeing your images. Great detail, depth and textures in every photo.

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- 17 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you Beth. You will love photographing there when you go!
  
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18 Andrew on February 18, 2015 said:

Fine photos. Second visits are always more productive even if the excitement is a touch less. Finding new angles and subjects is fun. Choose a lens and stick with it.

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- 19 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  I guess most photographers feel the same although I do know of a few that seldom go back to the same place. Thanks for coming to take a look and leave a comment Andrew.
  
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20 Rich Lewis on February 18, 2015 said:

When I read the title I thought the law had caught up with you. Whew. This is a most elegant presentation of Eastern State that I have seen. Considering what the place is, it becomes obvious what kind of a creative challenge you must have faced in order to create these images. Your visual take on abandoned places is always a refreshing one.

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- 21 denisebushphoto on February 18, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks very much for the very kind comment. I’m glad you saw the fun in my title! 🙂
  
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22 imagesbytdashfield on February 19, 2015 said:

I would love to go here…and to our Mansfield Prison here too! Great shots

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- 23 denisebushphoto on February 19, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you! Does the Mansfield Prison allow photographers and tripods? Eastern does which makes it quite nice since it is a high dynamic range and low light situation. You can buy a tripod pass which is good for a year.
  
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  - 24 imagesbytdashfield on February 19, 2015 said:
    
    I missed a chance to go last year with my photo club but I know there is some kind of cost for it…and a bunch of other caveats 😉
25 Linda on February 19, 2015 said:

Beautiful, Denise!

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- 26 denisebushphoto on February 19, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks so much Linda … very nice to hear from you. Hope to see you soon.
  
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27 csyoungjr on February 20, 2015 said:

Beautiful images, I especially like the windows and Ward Entrance selections. I appreciate your eye for composition.

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- 28 denisebushphoto on February 21, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you very much! I’m glad you like them!
  
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29 Mary Mageau on February 23, 2015 said:

Wonderful images, Denise, overflowing with a sense of sad emptiness. My favourite was Hospital Ward Entrance, with your use of sunlight and shadow adding another dimension to the already present brick wall textures. It must have been a depressing place to do time in. Today, it’s a photographers dream.

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- 30 denisebushphoto on February 24, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks Mary. Yes, this is a favorite among local and even no so local photographers.
  
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31 Cecilia on February 24, 2015 said:

They give a certain impression, makes me think that there is beauty everywhere.

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- 32 denisebushphoto on February 25, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you Cecilia. Not everyone finds beauty in decay but I’m glad you do!
  
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33 milfordstreet on February 25, 2015 said:

Wonderful photos. You really give a great sense of the place. It must be so cool to make photos there.

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- 34 denisebushphoto on February 25, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks Chris. I think there are related links at the end of the post from other visits to this location. This set has a few more close-ups than usual.
  
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35 dave on February 27, 2015 said:

I have certainly enjoyed your architectural photographs, Denise. Others, too, but I think I identify with your architecture because my dad loved the same kinds of subjects. Very nice, and thank you for sharing your images.

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- 36 denisebushphoto on February 28, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you Dave. I’m glad you can identify with my images. I have been drawn to these abandoned, decaying subjects since childhood. I am not sure what that says about me!
  
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37 KBT on March 2, 2015 said:

Beautifully captured!

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- 38 denisebushphoto on March 2, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you very much! Have a nice day. 🙂
  
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39 Mark Kertesz Photography on March 8, 2015 said:

This is a fabulous series! The tones & contrast are wonderful and the composition of your images is outstanding. Very well done!

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- 40 denisebushphoto on March 8, 2015 said:
  
  Thanks so much Mark. A nice comment like that, coming from a photographer such as yourself is very appreciated and encouraging.
  
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  - 41 Mark Kertesz Photography on March 8, 2015 said:
    
    You are way to kind with your comment however thank you very much.
42 FS Photography on March 15, 2015 said:

I’d love the opportunity to explore an old prison like this. You certainly captured some wonderful images.

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- 43 denisebushphoto on March 17, 2015 said:
  
  Thank you so much. Where are you located? If you’re ever near Philadelphia take time to visit … it’s worth it!
  
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  - 44 FS Photography on March 17, 2015 said:
    
    Lol… Other side of the pond unfortunately, just east of London. Sure does look like an amazing place though.
45 hansonphotographyuk on March 20, 2015 said:

Superb photography

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- 46 denisebushphoto on March 20, 2015 said:
  
  Oh, thank you very much!!! 🙂
  
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47 12thsonoflama on April 26, 2015 said:

It’s a unique place that I was at once. The big draw for me was the Al Capone cell and the Steve Buschemi audio tour. Both didn’t disappoint.

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- 48 denisebushphoto on April 27, 2015 said:
  
  I wish there were more places like ESP for us photographers. Good to hear you had the opportunity to photograph there.
  
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