A birthday request

When my teenage daughter asked visit Eastern State Penitentiary on her birthday in January 2020 for the third time I knew I had to take something different with me to capture the historic prison. Built in the early 1800's and operational until 1971, Eastern State takes up a whole city block in Philadelphia, PA. After over two decades of neglect, the prison opened as a museum in the 90's. 

Eastern State Penitentiary's Gothic castle style architecture instills feelings of awe, power, and fear. I was limited by the lens I brought and couldn't capture the whole facade so I choose to focus on eerie vines creeping up the stone walls. 

My daughter on her 14th birthday. It may seem strange that I felt the need to make her portrait in this place of so much sadness and emotion. Her future occupation interests center around the mental health field. Perhaps someday she will make a difference in people's lives so they don't end up in a place like this.

My daughter on her 14th birthday. It may seem strange that I felt the need to make her portrait in this place of such sadness and emotion. Her future occupation interests center around the mental health field. Perhaps someday she will make a difference in people's lives so they don't end up in a place like this.

Ghosts

The crumbling walls, historic architecture, reported ghosts, and overall moody feel of the building makes Eastern State a very popular destination with photographers. 

A friend had just gifted me a Canon Rebel XS 35mm camera as she hadn't used it in many years. I thought it would be great to play around with it there. 

Aperture Priority

The only film I had on hand was ILFORD Delta 100, a film speed I wouldn't normally choose to use in a dark prison with a camera I've never worked with before, but setting the camera to aperture priority and steadying myself on walls and railings, I was able to come off with many shots that I was really happy with and fit the bill of wanting something different than the digital images I so often see on social media.  

I normally like to process my black and white film at home and scan into the computer but I was short on time so I had the Camera Center of York develop the film. 

The fine grain of the film and excellent tonal range were exactly what I needed.

Cell Block 7 is probably the most photographed spot in the prison. The light, arches, and leading lines make it nearly impossible to pass up this photo opportunity. I waited for a person to pass under me to take the photo. Adding the human element I felt helped to tell the story and give a sense of perspective.

  

Cell Block 7 is probably the most photographed spot in the prison. The light, arches, and leading lines make it nearly impossible to pass up this photo opportunity. I waited for a person to pass under me to take the photo. Adding the human element I felt helped to tell the story and give a sense of perspective.

 

All images © Jennifer MacNeill