Eastern State Penitentiary: A Photographic Journey

This is a story of how my ordinary photo excursion to Eastern State Penitentiary became an emotional experience. As it turned out, it was one of the most intimidating subjects that I've ever photographed. I joined my wife's church group and was immediately struck by the reality of what life might have been like in this prison.

The photo of the cell block below shows why it hit me hard as I imagined what it would be like to live 24x7 in such an environment.

Its decayed, stark condition, combined with a palpable sense of history made it feel real, unlike other travel destinations I've visited.

The visual chronicling  of the past lives of all of the individuals who spent long stretches of time here visit, offer a unique and challenging subject for those of you who want to try to capture its character in photos.

The penitentiary's history also prompts reflection on the early nature of justice and punishment. As you photograph the cells and solitary confinement chambers, you can't help but question the effectiveness of incarceration as a means of rehabilitation.

Quick Facts:

• The prison's walls were half a mile long and 10 feet wide at the base. (See the photo below) 
• The prison's exterior had a medieval appearance with towers at each corner and more towers in the center of the southern facade. 
• The prison opened in 1829 and closed in 1971. 
• The Eastern State Penitentiary has running water BEFORE the Whitehouse.

Upon arrival to entrance on Fairmount Avenue and 22nd Street in the City of Brotherly Love I was instantly affected. The forbidding appearance of the massive external wall contrasted with the surrounding area in the middle of this Philadelphia neighborhood.

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Photography Challenges

There are a few challenging conditions you need to know about when photographing the penitentiary in terms of lighting, subject choice, and space. Paying attention to the scene in front of you will help you achieve the result you want.

LIGHTING

Like all types of photography, lighting can make or break the success of your photos. The interior of Eastern State Penitentiary is dimly lit AND has a variety of very different lighting conditions. That doesn't mean you can't get great photos, but there are few things you must pay attention to.

The unique lighting conditions may require photographers to push their equipment to its limits. Even if you were allowed to use flash photography, the results will be poor. You scenes will be unevenly lit and look unnatural. That leads to you to use the existing light both inside and outside the buildings.

Embrace available light and explore creative techniques like long exposure and high ISO settings to get the right exposure. Use your camera's LCD to check brightness, or even better, learn about viewing your camera's histogram.

FOCUSING AND SHARPNESS

When you're shooting in a dark situation your camera's auto exposure may choose a wide open aperture. This will limit the range of things (especially with larger cameras) that are in sharp focus. Learn a little about Depth of Field and how to use it to your advantage.

SUBJECT CHOICE

There's a sharp contrast between photographing the beauty of nature, wildlife, and landscape photography and the photography of historical, decaying man-made structures. Contrast the similarities and differences of the two cell block hallways below.

The compositions are very similar. Both images convey the eerie environment in terms of layout and decay, but the photos are unique because of the differences in lighting and the differences in the textures of the floor and walls.

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5 Tips For Photographing Eastern State Penitentiary

Here is some helpful advice when visiting and photographing the prison.

1. Visit during the off-season when the number of visitors is much lower. You'll have more opportunities to photograph the prison without visually distracting people included in your composition or blocking your view. If you visit in winter bundle up! All but one or two small areas are unheated.
2. Shoot in color and black and white. Whether you do it in-camera or afterwards with software, some photos (especially the image shown above) have more of an emotional impact as black and white.
3. Variety. Include wide angle views of the physical structures inside and out, but don't forget detail shots like intricate ironwork, the evidence of decay, and the graffiti left by former inmates. See the abstract photos I included in this article. Venture off the beaten path to discover hidden corners and unexpected perspectives.
4.  Use Different Lenses. A super wide-angle lens can capture the grandeur of the cellblocks, while a telephoto lens can isolate details and create interesting abstract photos. 
5. Follow The Rules. Always adhere to the official photography guidelines and respect the rules and regulations of the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Philadelphia, PA

Photographing Eastern State is more than just capturing images; it's an opportunity for introspection. The penitentiary serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human nature, the consequences of our actions, and the enduring power of hope and resilience.

For photographers like us, capturing photographs within these walls can be an emotionally charged experience. The weight of history is palpable, and it's impossible not to feel a sense of empathy for the prisoners who once called this place home.

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Camera

The best camera choice for photographing the penitentiary is either a DSLR Camera or one of the newer mirrorless cameras .  Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm, and Panasonic are all good, but I'll I'll use Canon as an example because they outsell the others and it's the brand I'm very familiar with.

Full frame cameras give you the best image quality and performance for photography in dimly lit situations. The smaller, APS-C "crop" cameras are smaller, lighter, more affordable, and can take smaller more affordable lenses. APS-C cameras still give solid image quality and are easier to carry around as you walk around the penitentiary.     

The R6 Mark II is simply the best camera I've ever used.  Canon R6 Mark II.   

An alternative choice for a camera would be one of the "bridge" cameras, such as the SX70 HS. Their image quality is average. Their price is very low and their zoom range is incredible.

Lens

The RF 24-105 f/4.0 is my new go to lens when I only want to carry a single lens on a photo shoot, but for interiors and architecture photography you should use something with a wider focal length range. I shot all of the Eastern State Penitentiary photos with a Canon RF 16-35mm f/4. 

A better choice if you have an APS-C camera would be the RF or EF 10-18mm lens, or an EF 18-135mm, or RF 18-150mm lens.

Eastern State Penitentiary FAQ

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Summary

In the end, the emotional impact of shooting your own photos at Eastern State Penitentiary will be different for you than it was for me. Your photographic journey will reflect your response and reveal your own unique perspective.

Whether you're fascinated by how  this institution influenced early prison design, or the visually interesting aesthetics of decay, the images you capture of Eastern State Penitentiary will stay with you long after you leave its imposing walls. I hope this article provides a helpful starting point for your photography at Eastern State Penitentiary!

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