Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary (HDR)


I am still drawn to processing an HDR’s from here almost every week. ESP has to be my favorite location ever. I think I have posted almost 6-8 shots to date? I bet I have a total of at least 30 ESP pics to get up on P2E one day! Photo book time! …but might take another year to get to them. I have been to Alcatraz and it cannot compare to ESP. Are there any other similar type locations that can compete? Let me know!! Thanks!

Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary (HDR)


From the spooky and awesome Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia…this is cell block #8. My little one and I enjoy watching the TV show Ghost Adventures with Zak Baggans. I am not 100% sure ghosts exist, but I do enjoy the potential of the unknown. I think I enjoy the show mostly due to the locations they visit. This is how I found out about ESP. They visit old houses, asylums, penitentiaries and much more. All these places are sweet for HDR! Who ya gonna call….Ghostbusters!

Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary – Capone’s Cell (HDR)

Here is the luxurious cell for Al Capone.  Capone spent most of his prison life at Alcatraz, but did spend 8 months at the Eastern State Penitentiary.   From 1929-1930.  I asked the tour guide this day why he had the only comfortable cell?  She replied that is  unknown, but just as he arrived an anonymous donator gave some big funds to the prison.  They had new baseball uniforms and a cell Martha Stewart would be happy to have!  LOL  My last post form here for a while.    The next shot will be “locked up” for a a month or so!

Talke Photography Setting:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4.0
  • Setting: Aperture Mode
  • Focal Length: 12.0 mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 9 exposures (+4 to -4)
  • Aperture:  f/11.0
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary (HDR)

The feedback on these HDR’s from ESP has been wonderful!  So something I rarely do..is post back to back photos of the same location…well that goes out the window today!  Here is one more shot.  I think it is Cellblock 6.   This cellblock is closed to the public. To grab this photo…I cranked my tripod in a weird way as to get as close to the locked gate (with bars).  With the wide angle lens it was fun trying not to get the gates bars in the shot.  But with a little luck…and 9 exposures later..another scary cell shot from ESP!  Now just look at this place..yikes!   I’d hate to be stuck in there at nite by myself!   I added a preset from onOne Photo Tools to give it that off color look.  I’ll post Al Capone’s Cell next week!

Talke Photography Settings:

    • Camera:  Nikon D300
    • Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4.0
    • Setting: Aperture Mode
    • Focal Length: 24.0 mm
    • ISO: 200
    • Exposure:  HDR 9 exposures (+4 to -4)
    • Aperture:  f/11.0
    • Gear:  Tripod
    • Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary (HDR)

Another shot from the super cool Eastern State Penitentiary.  I can do a whole month of my shots from this spooky place.  I have only had time to process 2 shots….I bet I will have about 50 total from this day!  One day I will make a gallery just from ESP.  What a comfy place for the inmates!  Winter and a hot summer day must feel great in this cell.   Love the skylight above…if it rains..maybe an extra shower!  Yikes.  I am no mason..but that rock work is awesome!  How can you not HDR this place?  To grab all the details…I used 9 brackets.  I bet a standard pic would be quite boring!  Enjoy!!

Talke Photography Setiings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4.0
  • Setting: Aperture Mode
  • Focal Length: 12.0 mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 9 exposures (+4 to -4)
  • Aperture:  f/11.0
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS5, Color Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro,  Photo Tools 2.6

Philadelphia, PA – Eastern State Penitentiary (HDR)

On a recent visit to the Philadelphia area…I had a chance to stop by the amazing Eastern State Penitentiary.  Now I have been to Alcatraz and was not too impressed.  This abandoned prison is super cool!   30 foot walls surround the cell blocks.  You cant visit every block, but they have enough available to fill your time and enjoyment!  If you are in the area and love ghost stories and HDR’s…this is a must visit!!!  The whole place is an HDR in waiting…decaying cells, rock walls, rusty pipes, brick…all the ingredients needed for great pics!   Even Al Capone’s cell!  Look for more soon!

PS..this was my first ever 9 exposure HDR!  With so many details in this place…I decided to go with more brackets. =)

Talke Photography Settings:

  • Camera:  Nikon D300
  • Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4.0
  • Setting: Aperture Mode
  • Focal Length: 12.0 mm
  • ISO: 200
  • Exposure:  HDR 9 exposures (+4 to -4)
  • Aperture:  f/11
  • Gear:  Tripod
  • Post Process: Adobe CS5, HDR Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro,   Photo Tools 2.6,