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The above image was captured during one of my recent workshops at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. I couldn’t help but think of the phrase “kick the bucket” when I was photographing this bleak cell. The empty space had an eerie feel to it and that bucket made my mind wander. How many inmates died behind these walls? What crimes had they committed? The answers I came up with were chilling. Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829. Their goal was to change the behavior of inmates through “confinement in solitude with labor”. Charles Dickens wrote, “The System is rigid, strict and hopeless solitary confinement, and I believe it, in its effects, to be cruel and wrong….” To read more about ESP visit their site.
To process this image I used Nik HDR Efex Pro (use code BAA for discount). I also wanted to eliminate a lot of the blue tones that were on the side walls and in the skylight so I converted the image to B&W using B&W Effects by Topaz Labs so that I could choose where I wanted to add the color with the use of a layer mask. If I wanted the image to reflect what I saw and felt I would have left the blue tones but I wanted to challenge myself a bit with the processing. I wanted this final resting place to seem warm and homey instead of cold and lonely. For those of you who haven’t been there – one of the challenges that you face while photographing is that you can’t walk into many of these cells so you have to work the image design from the doorway. You don’t get to move the elements in the cells to suit your needs. You need to be creative and flexible.
______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito
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Great processing and image Denise!! One of the things I find fascinating about ESP is that every cell is different in some way and so the opportunities are nearly endless, especially when you consider the individual interpretations with framing of the image, exposure, point of focus, lens choice and the processing. You do a great job in helping your clients see the possibilities. Great work!!
Thanks Scott, I agree the place is full of opportunities. One thing I have noticed from going back there so many times is that you can really start to get creative with your processing and capture if you spend some time there and look closely. I see too many folks just doing grab shots. One of the things I stress to my clients is that when you think you’ve got the shot- you don’t
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denise
I loved everything about this one from the moment I saw it. The arrangement of the various compositional elements and your choice of perspective are both superb. As is the HDR grunge processing.
Artie, Thank you for the great compliment, it means a lot coming from you
denise
Denise, I not only like the image, I like the story…and the combination of composition and processing wonderfully conveys that sense of a bleak existence, strengthened by the contrast of the warm tones. Do you ever get a chill up your spine wandering through the prison as you shoot?
John,Thank you for the kind words. I do get chills up my spine when photographing some of the cells. It’s weird because the desolation really inspires me…
denise
Quite incredible, Denise. Especially with the comments about how it made you feel. You do a great job of that.
I’m sometimes a fan of mixing color with B&W; sometimes not. But I love what you did, here.
Dennis, Thank you kindly. I am such a fan of the play between B&W and color but sometimes it seems out of balance with the image and then I am not such a fan
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denise
Wonderful post Denise. I really like the way you’ve processed this image. The tones do make it feel warm but it stills screams “loneliness.” Great job.
Thanks Edith! I appreciate the support!
denise
I like the warm, earthy tones – it does create a bit of dissonance between the mood of the picture and the purpose of the room.
Thank you for the kind comment.
denise
Denise, my absolute favorite of yours from ESP! I love it and the awesome processing! I love reading old crime stories and this place is on my must see list for sure. From the looks of it I could spend days upon days shooting in a place like this.
Thanks Andrew, I can always fins something new there to shoot!
denise
It must have been really tough to be in jail 100 years ago. Todays inmates have luxury suites compared to this one. Great shot Denise.
Thank you Jan, I appreciate it. I think it was harder on inmates years ago.
denise