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Eastern State Penitentiary Photo Tour
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Apr 4, 2019 06:38:14   #
jrconcours Loc: Ocean View, DE
 
Well worth the effort, get there early and then walk away from the tourists. Keep in mind HDR works well here. Don't forget Al Capones cell. We could use tripods a couple of years, I don't know about now.

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Apr 4, 2019 06:42:02   #
finalimage Loc: Brattleboro, VT
 
kevindunne wrote:
Has anyone photographed this place? Any tips?
Planning on doing it April12th.
Thanks,
Kevin


Hi Kevin, I have been there three times, it's a great place. It's been a museum since the 90's but the architecture is wonderful-they could not afford to build anything like this today. It shows the effects of being abandoned for 20 years but it has real beauty. Tripods are a must in that many areas are dimly lit. I did a 360 pano of the area where the cell blocks radiate from a central hub. When it was built it was designed to give each prisoner a chance to "repent", each cell had a skylight which was intended to put the inmate in touch with God. To me it is fascinating. I have a gallery for ESP on my website which may be of interest to you. tom-singleton.artistwebsites.com


(Download)

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Apr 4, 2019 06:45:29   #
edwdickinson Loc: Ardmore PA
 
Eastern State is a tourist attraction, not a functioning prison. Al Capone spent time there along with a few other criminal luminaries. It's now used for a haunted house and tourist attraction.

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Apr 4, 2019 07:32:30   #
kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY
 
kevindunne wrote:
Has anyone photographed this place? Any tips?
Planning on doing it April12th.
Thanks,
Kevin


I've been there a few times. I'd suggest going on the self guided tour (with headphones and audio recording). Take your time and explore all the alleys small "courtyards". Find and get a shot of the dog that was an "inmate", Al Capone's cell etc. You can use a tripod but you need a $10 "equipment pass", but it's valid all year. Awesome place to visit and photograph. You'll love it. NOT an active prison by the way.

Ken S.

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Apr 4, 2019 07:38:42   #
gwilliams6
 
I was a staff photographer with the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper for 29 years and covered many a tour there of this historic prison that was a model for prison design around the world. Just be sure to have a fast (large aperture) wide angle lens for the darker cell interiors. No real need for anything beyond a medium range focal length lens (85mm). The graphic vistas of the cell blocks will be shaped by all the wonderful and dramatic light. You can travel light with your photo gear, which is always welcome there. You could bring a light tripod, but most modern cameras are so good in low light now that this may not be necessary anymore. Cheers and enjoy

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Apr 4, 2019 07:38:52   #
Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
 
Go enjoy fast wide angle lens suggestions and a camera capable of low light tripod maybe I didn’t take one I used an OMDem1mk2 with fast lenses take your time lots of photography opportunities around every corner I’m not sure a “photography tour” is good as you’ll have to move on with the group I’d do a self guided with a map good eateries across the street

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Apr 4, 2019 07:51:08   #
waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li
 
kevindunne wrote:
Has anyone photographed this place? Any tips?
Planning on doing it April12th.
Thanks,
Kevin

Been there, done that. My recommendation is a wide angle lens, a good speed-light, and a tripod. If you don't have a tripod you will do OK with the wide angle and a good light. And enjoy it. My wife and I did the self tour so we were free to take time to shoot what we wanted to.

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Apr 4, 2019 08:07:05   #
Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA
 
Definitely worth visiting. It was the first Penitentiary in the world. Not considered a prison. The inmates did not have contact with one another. When the left their cell a hood was placed over their head until they got to where they were going. This way they had no idea where they were being kept. Small thick wooden doors leading into each cell. They were there to do penance for their crime hence the name Penitentiary. Went their with my camera club many years ago. Use the head phones and move at your own pace.

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Apr 4, 2019 08:14:03   #
ronichas Loc: Long Island
 
I have been there a couple of times. It is a great place to photograph. I did use a tripod, for a small fee. It can be dark and there are some wet areas. They keep renovating it. It is very large, shaped like a wagon wheel, you can explore so many areas. The history is very interested.
There is a great place to eat right across the street.
Here is a link to some of my images.

images from 2013

https://ronichas.zenfolio.com/p173631148

images from 2011

https://ronichas.zenfolio.com/p389030621







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Apr 4, 2019 08:26:04   #
kevindunne
 
Thanks all...will go self guided with tripod as I have all day...am excited about the opportunity.
Thanks again for all the help.

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Apr 4, 2019 08:26:06   #
kevindunne
 
Thanks all...will go self guided with tripod as I have all day...am excited about the opportunity.
Thanks again for all the help.

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Apr 4, 2019 08:28:22   #
waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li
 
ronichas wrote:
I have been there a couple of times. It is a great place to photograph. I did use a tripod, for a small fee. It can be dark and there are some wet areas. They keep renovating it. It is very large, shaped like a wagon wheel, you can explore so many areas. The history is very interested.
There is a great place to eat right across the street.
Here is a link to some of my images.

https://ronichas.zenfolio.com/p173631148

https://ronichas.zenfolio.com/p389030621


Very nice wide angle work :-)

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Apr 4, 2019 08:50:18   #
ronichas Loc: Long Island
 
waegwan wrote:
Very nice wide angle work :-)


Thanks so much.

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Apr 4, 2019 08:58:44   #
HardworkingGal
 
kevindunne wrote:
Has anyone photographed this place? Any tips?
Planning on doing it April12th.
Thanks,
Kevin


I was there a few years ago with my point & shoot (just went dslr in Nov 18) and you definitely want to get the headphones and do the self tour! I got beautiful "shots" (will have to dig them up). Like everyone has stated lighting will be the big issue for you are dependent on mostly natural light filtering in and incandescent bulbs randomly placed. Fabulous photo opportunity looking forward to returning myself this year to try my new gear!

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Apr 4, 2019 09:19:32   #
gypsylarry Loc: Lancaster, PA
 
Have been there twice in the past few years. Don't take the tour, use the self guided tapes and earphones, much better on your own to explore and at your own pace. Forget the tripod as it will be a nuisance. Photo ops are innumerable and you're only a block and a half away from the Phil. Museum of Art, the one in which Rocky Balboa climbed the steps in the movie. Much to see and do just walking the streets. Enjoy.

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