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Bethlehem, PA - "Shoot the Steel" - maybe

DWThomas

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I'm putting this up now, as it could be exciting for Rust Belt afficianados, but I don't have much to go on at the moment.

Background:
Last year, a community art center, the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, sponsored three weekend events. Each event was a package that included access into the long dormant Bethlehem Steel plant, accompanied by three photographers who serve as instructors at the art center. To me, it was academic, as I only learned about the events after the fact. What I saw of last year's publicity made it sound largely oriented toward digital, as in a day of shooting and a day of post-processing and printing. The center has a traditional darkroom and does some analog classes, but there is also a large digital imaging center (donated by Olympus as I recall).

New info:
Tonight my wife and I went to a "First Friday" evening open house up there (a glass blowing demo) and I got to talk to one of the photo instructors.

a) They intend to do more of such events, but there is apparently some uncertainty factor as the site may be invaded by a casino (if I got the story straight).

b)Old f@rts bearing film cameras would be welcome, and in fact, they plan to drop the Photoshop side of the events as there are separate classes available for those who want to massage their digits. The instructor assured me there was at least one 8x10 camera in attendance last year.

c) There is currently no date set.

d) There is already a waiting list. So if you would be interested, it would probably be good to contact them and get on the list. There's a way to register for email at the above linked site.


I think last year the fee for the two days was $250, so it's not inexpensive. I don't know if any of that was to cover digi-printing fees that might be bypassed this year. I've no idea how much of the plant is accessible, or even exactly how much is left, but at one time, the plant stretched about five miles along the Lehigh River. It had blast, open hearth and electric furnaces (had a tour there in 1961 with a metalurgy class -- they took us around in buses).

Anyway, you have been warned.

Yes, I put my name on the list.

DaveT
 
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Thanks for the info on that. I spent 4 years just a few blocks from the Bethlehem Steel plant.. in the early 80's.. it was an active and very smoky business back then.

I will check with the art center, but if you have any info about a particular date..I'd love the chance to wander the steel plant with a camera, along the river - especially if a casino is about to wipe some of it out.




 
My son and I were in Bethlehem PA for a week-long event last year, and each long break we had, we walked along the perimeter of the steel mill and shot long distance photos of the facilities through and around the fence. Then, one morning, the gate was open and we strolled in, walked all among the buildings and took up-close shots... we did not go into anything. Finally the head security guy came along (there had been a walk-through by a potential buyer of some of the property that day) and was a tad PO'ed that we were in there. But I was very nice, talked to him about how it reminded me of when I was a child (I grew up outside the Bethlehem Steel plant in Sparrows Point MD...) and it turned out that he lived right around the corner from me back then. Well, things changed, he warmed up, and he gave me information about who to contact to get a legitimate tour (...use his name), how to apply for a permit if I wanted to do commercial photo work (I didn't), etc.

Anyway, with all that background, the picture opportunities were fantastic. We were not prepared (photographically) for the situation (1 Olympus, 1 RF, and a P/S 35mm) but we got some fantastic pictures. My son has done a number of lith and simulated (in Phototshop) lith prints, which suit the material well. I would love to be able to go back; it's just a bit far from Houston.

For what it's worth, I highly recommend the opportunity.
 
This sounds like a tremendous opportunity.

I have two tenuous connections with this facility, one through a photographer who has been able to get access, and one through a series of magazine articles on the history of the facility. I don't remember where I heard it, but I distinctly recall learning through one of those channels that the site is going to be recycled, and the old stuff won't be there much longer.

I wish I lived a bit closer - - -
 
Bumping this back to life.

The first event has been scheduled for March 31st, but is already filled from the waiting list. They anticipate having two more, in April and May, but those are not currently scheduled. Newspaper reports suggest casino construction may begin this summer (a license has been granted). Some buildings will be preserved either as museums or creatively adapted into upscale condos(!) The overall site is something like 1800 acres, but apparently only a small 100+ acre portion in the city is involved in the new construction.

I don't know if it mattered, but apparently my sign-up on the waiting list back in January didn't get to the "official" person (who I just talked to) but I'm #6 for the next. In a way that may be good, as I have a bunch of stuff going on the end of March and later dates will be warmer with longer daylight hours.

They take groups of twenty photographers, accompanied by three of the art center photo instructors. The March 31 one is set up for one day -- 6 AM to 8 PM (glad I only expect to go medium format!) The cost is still $250 and I still don't know any of the working details. If/when I hear any more about the later events, I'll post it here.

http://www.bananafactory.org/

DaveT
 
Bethlehem Steel

I go there about 4 times a year, and would love to get inside, rather than perimeter shots. How about an APUG outing with a formal approach to the authorities, whoever they Are?
 
How about an APUG outing with a formal approach to the authorities, whoever they Are?
Click to expand...
I suppose that's a possibility (if we can figure out who and where said authorities are, although if it there are only two or three of us it might be simpler to join one of these "expeditions." Observing the history of this thread, there doesn't appear to be a large crowd elbowing each other out of the way to photograph old rust in the Lehigh Valley.

The articles I found on line sound as though access will be diminished or gone circa June. It may be that the title to some stuff is officially transferred, in which case there's some NYC mega-developer involved as well as whatever ghost of Beth Steel remains. I'm really not near the area enough to pick up any vibes. I suppose with the magnitude of the proposed projects, there might be some sort of office/command center at the site. Being basically lazy, I'm inclined to stick with the Banana Factory tour unless there's a sudden onslaught of APUGgers

As described in early articles, it's a humongous project (and not all of South Bethlehem is enthusiastic for what looks to be happening) -- a few links:
http://www.americancity.org/article.php?id_article=198
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4974236
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2007_Jan_31/k.AAT.1170265324.html
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=4858742
http://www3.lehigh.edu/News/news_story.asp?iNewsID=1395

DaveT
 
I would never throw any elbows, but I'd do just about anything to get in there.

I am on the waiting list for either April or May.

If an APUG group does materialize I'd be more than willing to do whatever planning or logistics were necessary to make it happen.

Not trying to sound brash, but I could show a few APUGGER's how to carry detail within an enourmous contrast range should we somehow get in there.

I was once inside the fence which was left open on a Sunday, never felt comfortable making a LF exposure given the time contraints. There are photo opportunities by the barrel full once inside.

How it comes to pass.
 
I go there fairly often and was even there Saturday. I'd be able to rustle up at least four people.
 
An Opportunity Lost.

I live in Bethlehem and have also stood outside of the chain link fence gazing longingly at the magnificant photographic opportunities provided by the rusting Bethlehem Steelworks.

A few years ago, Greg Passmore, a California photographer of punk culture and fashion, managed to get inside and published a book of photographs that, in my opinion, didn't begin to do justice to the steel and the legacy of the steel workers who toiled there. Taste is relative of course, but I felt that the subject matter screamed out for a traditional black and white treatment. I think that he blew it and said so.

Passmore took high umbrage with my comments on Amazon and Photo.net where I gave his book a less than stellar review. He challenged me to do better. I often wished that I could get on to the steel property and take a shot at it. Maybe I'll put my name on the list and put up or shut up.

$250 seems a bit pricy for a tour of the steelworks, but it is a unique opportunity.

If you would like to see some of Passmore's Beth Steel photos. go to gregpassmore.com and click on "Location."

John

Greg, if you read this, you're work isn't my cup of tea, but you appear to be successful and I suspect having a ball. Of course when you put a body of work in print, you take the risk of being critiqued. Please don't take it personally.

Bethlehem lived and almost died by the steel. We take it's legacy seriously.
Unfortunately, a huge casino is going to built among the steel buildings. Ugh. Progress I suppose.
 
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And....

....... you can recreate Walker Evan's memorable photograph of the cemetery with the blast furnaces in the background. With the exception of the cars, it looks the same.

John
 
I went to Moravian College and ran past Beth Steel a few times with my then-boyfriend (he, of course, went to Lehigh).
I don't know if I'd be able to do it - depends on when, but I'd love to join up with an apug shooting crew there. I'll look into the other ones posted, but if something else gets scheduled, I hope it gets posted here.
 
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