Pennsylvania Philly/ Eastern Penitentiary shoot.

C

Calzone

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Already planning another Philly excursion, but this time we will dedicate the day to one location: "Eastern Penitentiaury."

This is an abandoned prison that is rather famous because back in the day it was the largest and most expensive. Al Capone spent time there. It kinda was famous for being a very mean prison, but today visitors are welcomed 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

There is a $10.00 tripod/monopod fee, $14.00 for a quided tour, and the only restrictions are no flash photography. If any photo gets published they request a "location credit."

Anyways this seems like a great place to shoot: an abandoned prison that is both historical and note-tour-E-us. I want to shoot this prison soon before they convert it into luxury condos. LOL.

A woman on the street reported that this prison occupies about 8 city blocks. Megabus ride $30.50 round trip with reserved seats. 6:50 AM departure near Javitt's Center, arrive Philly at 9:00 AM; 6:15 PM return arrives near FIT around 8:30 PM. Make sure you secure reserved seating and not "general" seating or you have the risk/possibility of not boarding. Also don't be late or you will loose your reserved seating.

Cal
 
jsrockit said:
Sounds good to me...
Click to expand...

John,

Ben who is a local has not shot there. Jean-Marc and Phillipe are already in.

It has to be a Sunday so Ben can make it.

I really think this will be great. Philly is only 95 miles away. The trip is relaxing, and the shooting fresh.

Cal
 
Sundays generally work for me just not last minute. If we can plan a few weeks in advance, that would be best.
 
The penitentiary is 142 years old and is described as "ruins."

Easternstate.org has an image gallery. This is the real deal.

I say this would be a scouting excursion. If we wanted to assemble a group of 5 we could make arrangements to to use this space like a studio after hours. The cost is $200.00 an hour, but between 5 people that would be $40.00 each, and any additional hour would be $150.00.

That would be time to use a tripod and flash I'm thinking. I would be willing to do a 2 hour session if we could split the cost 5 ways. Basically if we can get 5 people 2 hours of shooting without dealing with the public or restrictions for $90.00 each.

Cal
 
The images on their site are great... lol
Family outing with your kids, grandparents, to the penitentiary.. Good times.. Lol
Wonder if we can set up a pick nick in there.. :)
 
finguanzo said:
The images on their site are great... lol
Family outing with your kids, grandparents, to the penitentiary.. Good times.. Lol
Wonder if we can set up a pick nick in there.. :)
Click to expand...

Fidel,

Best is to use this as an event space like your wedding. LOL.

Cal
 
I did get married in a museum, didnt consider what kind at the time... lol
Dried blood for authenticity would be nice.
 
jsrockit said:
I bet they have a working cafeteria with healthy options!

I'm not sure this museum looks feral enough for me... ;)
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John,

Correction: this Penitentiary was used for 142 years and is actually older, and was closed in 1971. There are some parts that are "restored" but most parts are not.

It has an odd vibe of gothic and mid-evil to resemble a Church or monastery. It is doubtful that the entire place is sanitized. It hasn't been conquered by hipsters yet, and it isn't the Highline like you suggest. LOL.

Anyways this place used and was designed for solitary confinement and presents some novel ideas about reformation that I find interesting. Basically we Americans redefined and created a new way of punishment.

Repent John, repent. LOL.

I should bring my Evil Beagle. There is a story of a dog named Pep that killed the Govenor's beloved cat that is said to have been imprisoned there. Anyways it seems the Quakers might have defined a new way to punish people. Charles Dickens thought that the solitary confinement was cruel. Anyways the radial design reminds me a bit of the Queensbridge Housing Projects by the 59th Street Bridge. This design influenced over 500 prisons around the world.

Also seems we Americans actually advanced prison design. The two most dominant designs are the Philly system and the New York system. LOL. Both involve progressive thinking. LOL.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
It has an odd vibe of gothic and mid-evil to resemble a Church or monastery. It is doubtful that the entire place is sanitized. It hasn't been conquered by hipsters yet, and it isn't the Highline like you suggest. LOL.
Click to expand...

Once we get there, it will be conquered! Yeah, looks like enough good stuff still there.
 
finguanzo said:
I did get married in a museum, didnt consider what kind at the time... lol
Dried blood for authenticity would be nice.
Click to expand...

Fidel,

Getting married in cell block 15 (Death Row) would add a twist. LOL.

I will have to remember this idea if I ever get married again. So far I'm on parole and I am a free man. LOL.

Anyways the Quaker designed a kinder genteler prison. LOL.

Anyways being married was like prison to me. LOL.

Cal
 
A Philadelphian, I've done a shoot there. Fast lenses and/or flash are helpful (pbase.com/ellisson "Documentary: The Eastern State Penitentiary" gallery.

A couple of notes:
-There is no cafeteria on site, but there are many nice, moderate-priced restaurants in the surrounding Fairmount neighborhood.
-Many parts of the prison are not yet open to the public due to safety considerations. The group that manages the Penitentiary plans to open these in the future. These include the prisoner meal hall, kitchen, and medical clinic. Still, there are so many interesting aspects to photograph, inside and out.
-The Schuykil River and bridges, Boathouse Row, and the Philadelphia Art museum (with the 'Rocky' statue on the grounds - the most selfie-photographed site in Philly!) are close by if you have time for more shooting.

The Penitentiary history is fascinating, considering that it opened for prisoners in 1829.
The concept of giving criminals a safer, more comfortable setting to encourage "penitence" (the source of "penitentiary") was conceived by Drs. Benjamin Rush, Ben Franklin, and other early Pennsylvania leaders. Each cell had central heating (you can't miss the early radiators - they are all around you) and a flush toilet. Remarkable that the prisoners had central heat and toilets, but the newly elected President of the US did not have these facilities in the White House! There is so much more interesting history that you can take in with self-guided tour. Not mentioned on the tour is the leading cause of death among the prisoners: Tuberculosis.

Enjoy the Eastern State Penitentiary visit/shoot and the Fairmount area! Hope the weather is good.
 
jsrockit said:
Once we get there, it will be conquered! Yeah, looks like enough good stuff still there.
Click to expand...

John,

Still mucho trashy parts. I love it.

Actually would be funny to have them set up an artist in resident program for me. I would be happy, and this is along the Quaker's original intent.

All my life I've struggled to have a place where I belong. LOL. I need a permanent place to live.

Cal
 
ellisson said:
A Philadelphian, I've done a shoot there. Fast lenses and/or flash are helpful (pbase.com/ellisson "Documentary: The Eastern State Penitentiary" gallery.

A couple of notes:
-There is no cafeteria on site, but there are many nice, moderate-priced restaurants in the surrounding Fairmount neighborhood.
-Many parts of the prison are not yet open to the public due to safety considerations. The group that manages the Penitentiary plans to open these in the future. These include the prisoner meal hall, kitchen, and medical clinic. Still, there are so many interesting aspects to photograph, inside and out.
-The Schuykil River and bridges, Boathouse Row, and the Philadelphia Art museum (with the 'Rocky' statue on the grounds - the most selfie-photographed site in Philly!) are close by if you have time for more shooting.

The Penitentiary history is fascinating, considering that it opened for prisoners in 1829.
The concept of giving criminals a safer, more comfortable setting to encourage "penitence" (the source of "penitentiary") was conceived by Drs. Benjamin Rush, Ben Franklin, and other early Pennsylvania leaders. Each cell had central heating (you can't miss the early radiators - they are all around you) and a flush toilet. Remarkable that the prisoners had central heat and toilets, but the newly elected President of the US did not have these facilities in the White House! There is so much more interesting history that you can take in with self-guided tour. Not mentioned on the tour is the leading cause of death among the prisoners: Tuberculosis.

Enjoy the Eastern State Penitentiary visit/shoot and the Fairmount area! Hope the weather is good.
Click to expand...

Ellisson,

This seems like a remarkable and fascinating place to shoot. I think it has a lot of potential. Seems iconic to me.

The world is not that big, and a Megabus ride to NYC is only $30.50 round trip.

Cal
 
By the way, there was a mummy exhibition in the museum when I got married, not as good as cell block 15, but still damn funny..
 
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