Daily Archives: May 20, 2014

Photography

Eastern State Penitentiary (Part Four)

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This is the main guard tower and all areas of the prison are visible from this area.

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There are also auxiliary guard towers in each corner of the prison with spotlights.

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Some cells accessible from the exterior of the cell blocks. All of the cells in this penitentiary are solitary confinement and this is what’s known as “The Pennsylvania System” and it originated here. The “Auburn System” eventually superseded the “Pennsylvania System” because it was determined to be more humane.

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These are some of the deteriorating benches around the perimeter walls that face towards the baseball diamond.

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I am not quite sure but I think this portion of the prison was the laundry where some of the prisoners worked.

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The thickness of these stone walls (even interior) were incredible and its hard to imagine trees growing through them, but they did.

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Photography

Solitary Confinement

Robyn Graham Photography's avatarRobyn Graham Photography

Solitary Confinement

Punishment

For

Crimes Committed

∞

Time

For

Consideration

∞

Moments

Of

Reflection

∞

Dreams

Of

A Different Path Chosen

∞

Remorse

For

 Wrongs Committed

∞

Regret

Anger

Humility

Hope

∞

Repentance

For

Pain Engendered

∞

Faith

That

Grace Will Be Given

copyright Robyn Graham

Solitary Confinement

Solitary Confinement

“…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:5-7

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Photography

A Walk Down The Haunted Hall

Robyn Graham Photography's avatarRobyn Graham Photography

I recently took advantage of an opportunity to photograph at the Eastern State Penitentiary when the former prison was opened for evening hours specifically for photographers.  Some photographers brought their studio with them;  lighting, models, etc.  Others, like me brought only tripods and cameras and just photographed the old, dilapidated building.  I did however, happen to be in the right place at the right time and captured the reflection of a model walking down the hallway to meet her photographer.  I loved the combination of the old with the modern.  She was wearing blue and white with red stilettos and caring a red handbag.  As you will see in future posts about this shoot, the red did not compliment colors on the walls and thus I chose to present it in black and white.

A Walk Down the Haunted HallA Walk Down the Haunted Hall

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Photography

Discarded

Robyn Graham Photography's avatarRobyn Graham Photography

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

– Horatio Spafford

Discarded

Discarded

I have to wonder if the prisoner(s) who sat in this cell laid his head upon this pillow and thought to himself the very lines of this quote.  Perhaps if he believed in forgiveness he did.

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Photography

Eastern State Penitentiary (Part Three)

In this post we will continue to a multi level cell block number 7.

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The above photo shows the lower level of cell block 7 which is still being restored.

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Some of the lucky inmates on lower levels of the prison (depending on the cell block) had a small skylight which provided them with a bit of daylight while they were in there cells.

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This is a view from the upper portion of cell block 7.

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As you can see from the angle of this view there was only enough room to walk single file when exiting the upper cell blocks. Also notice the different kind of cell doors from the older cell blocks (this cell block was a later addition).

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The above photo shows a cell with trees growing through the walls which would eventually force the closing of this facility. Apparently the states neglect of this facility would cause it to be overrun with trees forcing their way through walls weakening the structure.

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This is one of the deteriorating windows on one of the lower cell blocks.

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