Eastern State Pen GTG

c6h6o3 · Jun 7, 2006

TheFlyingCamera said:
Steve- I know Jim Shanesy and I are good to go...

I talked with Joe Freeman yesterday. He'll come along. I'll remind him as we get closer. Robert Triffin ("Flauvius") will try to make it, but that's a busy week for him. I think we should consider him 50-50 at best.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 7, 2006

SteveH said:
OK, thanks ! Im trying to get a final number here before I email ESP. Honestly if its only going to be 4-6 of us, Im not going to bother - we'll just turn on the charm when we arrive.

Steve - if we want behind-the-scenes access, I'd still email in advance. Some of the really cool areas are kept under lock-and-key, and I don't think a generic docent will be willing to open them up for us. Also, if there is a fee involved, it would be easier to decide if we want to do it or if the fee is too much, and maybe even negotiate the fee downward in exchange for some prints??? maybe???

SteveH · Jun 7, 2006

Good point.
Here is my email:

email said:
Sir/Ma'am,
On 20 June 06, I will be arriving at your institution with a group of 4-6 Amateur photographers from the Mid-Atlantic Region. We wish to photograph the building and grounds, if possible.
Furthermore, in researching your site, I came into contact with an individual who was granted a 'behind-the-scenes' tour/access when he came to photograph the building. Would this be possible for us as well ? What sort of fees would be involved ?
Please note that these photographs will be for personal, not commercial use.

Thank You for your time

We'll see what they have to say.

SteveH · Jun 8, 2006

Ok...

All,
Here is the reply that I just received from ESP:

Reply said:
Thanks for your interest in Eastern State!

We grant access to none public areas very rarely, and generally only to
photographers who have worked in the building before. Decisions are made on
a case by case basis, after reviewing the photographer's work. If you are
interested in applying for this access for later in the season, please
contact me after your trip next week. We would need several weeks minimum
to set something up.

Hope you find your trip here productive--

Sean
____________________________
Sean Kelley
Program Director
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
2124 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130

P. 215 236-5111 x13
F. 215 236-5289

That does sound logical, and perhaps may actually work to our benefit. I replied with:

My Reply said:
Mr. Kelley,
Thank you for your reply, Im sure we will have an excellent time. I will be in contact with you later in the summer once we all have had a chance to develop/print our work for your review.

Thanks again

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 8, 2006

Steve-

That's good. At least they're open to working with us for future projects. Even without the "behind-the-scenes" access, there's more than enough to keep us busy and entertained for the entire afternoon.

SteveH · Jun 8, 2006

Yup...Should be fun....I need to check out and see how many sheets of HP5 I have left...

SteveH · Jun 10, 2006

Bump. T-10d

SteveH · Jun 14, 2006

Michael Mutmansky · Jun 14, 2006

Do they know you are bringing BIG cameras? That may be a bit of a surprise to them.

I've been meaning to get down there, but have not fit it in my schedule yet. The 20th is probably not a possible date for me, but if I am able, I'll try to come along. keep me in the loop for meeting times/locations.

---Michael

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 14, 2006

Michael Mutmansky said:
Do they know you are bringing BIG cameras? That may be a bit of a surprise to them.

I've been meaning to get down there, but have not fit it in my schedule yet. The 20th is probably not a possible date for me, but if I am able, I'll try to come along. keep me in the loop for meeting times/locations.

---Michael

Michael-

When I just showed up with my 8x10 that one day, there was no problem. That's in part why we're scheduling this thing for a weekday... go when the crowds are thin so they don't get in our way and we don't get in theirs. It would be great if you could make it. Hope to see you there.

c6h6o3 · Jun 15, 2006

Roll Call:

Myself
Scott
SteveH
Joe Freeman (got confirming voice mail from him today)
John Hoover (talked to him last night)

maybe Robert Triffin (50/50 last time we talked)

Maybe Michael's question should be rephrased: "Do they know that a half dozen people will descend on them with BIG cameras?"

Anybody else that we're sure of?

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 15, 2006

I gave Walt Calahan a poke to see if he's up for it. I haven't heard back yet. I know Diwan is out, as is Will Whitaker.

Flauvius · Jun 16, 2006

Sorry, but I can not make it on the 20th.

Regards,

Robert J. Triffin

SteveH · Jun 17, 2006

c6h6o3 said:
Roll Call:
Maybe Michael's question should be rephrased: "Do they know that a half dozen people will descend on them with BIG cameras?"

Anybody else that we're sure of?

Sorry I haven't been around lately to keep this thread going; but I have had some family matters to attend to.

To answer Michael's question: They do. As I stated earlier, I wrote them an email about our visit....So they are aware of our intents.
The weather looks pretty good for Tuesday; but dress for the heat as its going to be in the upper 80's.
I have IM'd you all with my cell #. Feel free to contact me if you have any Q's, or run into traffic.

Im really looking forward to this. It will be great to meet you all, and honestly I've neglected my camera lately and haven't had a chance to use it much. It should be a great time.

Regards,

SteveH · Jun 19, 2006

Any last minute bugs to iron out ?

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 19, 2006

Steve- I think we're all set. Jim and I are going to carpool up there tomorrow. We'll see you at the pub at 11:30. I printed out the map you sent the link to. Looking forward to it!

SteveH · Jun 19, 2006

Ok great...

Im going to be at the pub @ 11am, just in case any of you drive like I do

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 21, 2006

Steve- Big thanks for putting together the Eastern State outing. I know you had to cut out earlier than you'd have liked to, but everyone had a great time, and I think we'll have come away with some great images. We should make the Eastern State outing an annual event (and no, don't worry, you won't have to plan it every time!).

wfe · Jun 21, 2006

Sorry I was not able to be there but happy to hear that everyone had a good time. I would have much rather been there than stuck in the office with auditors. Thanks to Steve for pulling this together.

Regards,
Bill

SteveH · Jun 21, 2006

Guys,
Thanks again for making it up this way. I again apologize for my early exit; but I was getting to the point of not being able to focus on the groundglass .
I believe it would be best next time to meet outside of the city, and carpool in. I think 90% of the hassle/time consumption dealt with having to drive into and through the city.
Im going to develop my negs today and see what becomes of them. I was somewhat disappointed that the areas where I was most interested in viewing (Death Row and the Hospital) weren't really open for access. Perhaps we'll be able to get our 'behind the scenes' deal later in the year.
On the plus side, It was nice having the interest of the tour guides; they did seem genuinely friendly and helpful. Plus, it seems that Jim also got the interest of a couple of ladies when he whipped out his camera .

Thanks again,

c6h6o3 · Jun 21, 2006

I'll add my thanks to both Steve and Scott Davis for promoting this outing. I'll be going back there many times.

Tip: I believe that the first time one photographs at Eastern State Pen. one should use a small camera. The place is pregnant with so many images that the logistics of an 8x10 distract one from exploring. I made 3 8x10 negatives in the 3 or so hours we were there.

Had I gone in with the 4x5 I probably would have made a dozen. With the Hasselblad, at least 3 rolls. After developing and printing those and deciding from what part of the prison the best images came only then would I go back in with the 8x10.

Just one man's opinion.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 21, 2006

Steve- perhaps next time we could also just meet at the prison- there is a very handy (and not too expensive) pay lot across the street, and some rather interesting pubs/restaurants in the same block.

I'll also second Jim's comment about scanning the place first with another smaller camera before bringing in the 8x10. Eastern State is a very large building, and the choices for shooting are overwhelming. I would also recommend, whatever format you're shooting, to bring a faster rather than slower film, as some areas are quite dark, and Jim and Joe were getting 5-10 minute exposure times for some of their shots.

Eastern State is also a perfect place for semi-stand development of your film. You have either extremes of contrast, with little mid-tone, or very low native contrast, compensating for both of which semi-stand is good.

Travis Nunn · Jun 21, 2006

Sounds like you guys had a good time. I look forward to seeing some of the shots.

c6h6o3 · Jun 21, 2006

t_nunn said:
Sounds like you guys had a good time. I look forward to seeing some of the shots.

It'll be a while, but we'll post 'em.

c6h6o3 · Jun 21, 2006

TheFlyingCamera said:
and Jim and Joe were getting 5-10 minute exposure times for some of their shots.

6 and 1/2 minutes on 400TMax. We were having trouble focussing it was so dark. Joe and I were commenting to each other how difficult it must have been for Steve Sherman in there with a 7x17. I have new found appreciation for his Eastern State photograph.

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