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dsphotog
13-Apr-2009, 13:08
In Pennsyvania, Al Capone was kept in the (now abandoned & decaying) Eastern pennitentiary.
I just saw it on Travel channel,it looks really cool! Wondering if any of our members have shot there.
Andrew O'Neill
13-Apr-2009, 16:01
I saw this on someone's Flickr site before (I think it was Flickr). From reading the webiste, they seem very open to photographers.
The old B.C. Pen that was in New Westminster just up the road from me, sits in a housing development now...at least the part that was preserved...
Kevin Crisp
13-Apr-2009, 16:32
I'm going there Wednesday. The website welcomes photographers but it is an extra $10 to use a tripod.
Andrew O'Neill
13-Apr-2009, 16:38
Hey Kevin, I hope you share you photos with us!
Terry Hull
13-Apr-2009, 17:13
I have gone several times, and enjoyed it. Best to avoid weekends as crowds make photography more difficult.
Terry Hull
13-Apr-2009, 17:14
I also should add there is a great bar/restaurant directly in front of the entrance to the prison.
VictoriaPerelet
13-Apr-2009, 17:27
Place is a bit over used/photographed - same photographer crowds as in Antelope canyon:)
eddie
13-Apr-2009, 18:53
great stuff. here is (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=33970&highlight=esp) a discussion form last year. and some photos here. (http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=815371) small format and again here (http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=823403)

great fun. if you join for a year it is like 30$ and you get a free tripod pass (for the year) and a free t shirt.

a must see if you have not been already.

enjoy.

eddie
Scott Davis
14-Apr-2009, 06:39
It's a blast to go shoot there- I've been multiple times. The only downside as previously mentioned is the weekend crowds. Really. It is worth taking a day off work to go mid-week and have the place largely to yourself. Even though it is overphotographed, there's so much to it that you can find something there that hasn't been shot, or at least not shot to death. The tripod pass is $10 for the entire YEAR, so if you go back more than once, the cost is absolutely negligible.
Steve Sherman
14-Apr-2009, 10:49
Place is a bit over used/photographed - same photographer crowds as in Antelope canyon:)

Obviously the words of someone whose never witnessed Antelope in person. It was as visually inspiring a few years ago as it was when I first visited in 1985, with or with or without a camera
VictoriaPerelet
14-Apr-2009, 11:10
Obviously the words of someone whose never witnessed Antelope in person. It was as visually inspiring a few years ago as it was when I first visited in 1985, with or with or without a camera

"Obviously.... never witnessed Antelope in person":) here's my pic published in "Practical Photography":)

http://www.victoriasphoto.com/tears/pp_12_07.jpg

And yes it was crowded there. Eastern prison is crowded also.
Steve Sherman
14-Apr-2009, 16:12
"Obviously.... never witnessed Antelope in person":) here's my pic published in "Practical Photography":)

http://www.victoriasphoto.com/tears/pp_12_07.jpg

And yes it was crowded there. Eastern prison is crowded also.

Score one for Victoria...

So, I'm sure you know the beauty lies above the crowds
joeholmes
14-Apr-2009, 17:07
I spent a day at Eastern State in July '06 and it was fantastic. (That was with a dSLR, before I had a large format.)

By paying extra ($100 for the 8 of us if I remember), we were given a guide to the untouristed areas of the Penitentiary, and when the guide heard we were only interested in photography, she gave up on her speech and just hung around while we shot.

I'm sure the rules and opportunities have changed since then, so be sure to call and get the scoop on tours and photography.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeholmes/sets/72157594217701575/show/