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"Eye of God"

© Michelle Alton

"Eye of God"

Uploaded: September 28, 2009

Description


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A preserved cell at Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA.
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The cells were made of concrete with a single glass skylight, representing the "Eye of God", hinting to the prisoners that God was always watching them. Outside there was an individual area for exercise, enclosed by high walls so prisoners couldn't communicate. Exercise time for each prisoner was synchronized so no two would be out at the same time. Prisoners were allowed to garden and even keep pets in their exercise yards. When a prisoner left his cell, a guard would accompany him and wrap him in a hood.
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Raw, no flash. ISO:800, F4.0, 1/60s, 24mm.
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Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 1.67, ExposureTime: 1/60 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 24.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D

Comments

Michelle Alton September 28, 2009

In stark contrast to the typical cell at ESP, this was Al Capone's "cell" for the eight months that he was confined at Eastern State Penitentiary in 1929. #1185580

Brett Dolsen September 28, 2009

Amazing inside capture and composition Michelle!!Wonderfull to view!!Brett #7989560

a2o akmal aini othman level-classic September 28, 2009

fantastic work, Michelle! we done! #7989568

Douglas Pignet September 28, 2009

Beautiful capture Michelle with excellent tones and lighting,very well done. #7989607

Aimee S. McMaster September 28, 2009

....such great light, texture & tone Michelle...it does an an eerie presence....Aimee #7989626

Tess L. Yee September 28, 2009

Wonderful light, color, and texture, Michelle. #7989645

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe September 28, 2009

Very interesting place and info, Michelle. Great presentation. #7989666

Tiia Vissak September 28, 2009

great tones, light, details & framing! #7989687

Carolyn M. Fletcher level-classic September 28, 2009

Even in prison it's a good thing to have a little money. LOL #7989707

Paul E. Earl September 28, 2009

Fantastic image and information!! #7989741

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe September 28, 2009

Both are outstanding Michelle! Great info too! Jeff #7989800

Karen Bacon September 28, 2009

Amazing images and stories Michelle! #7989901

Amy M. Wilson September 28, 2009

Another great capture and such fascinating info... so well presented, Michelle! #7989977

Kaye Burazin September 28, 2009

Loving this Michelle. WOW! #7990132

Courtenay Vanderbilt September 28, 2009

Both very powerful images, Michelle and stand in stark contrast to each other. Beautifully captured! #7990175

Bonnie C. Lackey level-classic September 28, 2009

I hope you enter Al's cell also - the walls must have been closing in regardless of the dressings. #7990227

Manuel Barrera September 28, 2009

amazing low light capture Michelle, was that the 24L lens? #7990415

Christian Rosito September 28, 2009

You captured the light very well, shows the sense of the place. Great! #7990460

Marcel J. Fernandez September 28, 2009

Great history and beautiful light and texture. #7990549

Mark Dodge September 28, 2009

Fascinating history, Michelle. Great shot here. Love the lighting and composition. Well done! #7990625

Joao Martinho September 28, 2009

Very intresting capture and reading, Michelle. The tones and textures are very eyecatch. How did you created that kind of light and tones? Topaz filter? #7991040

Lorna Shutter September 28, 2009

Frankly, I wouldn't like to live in either cell! They both give me a sense of being closed in ... and a creepy feeling like in "Silence of the Lambs". The texture of the walls and the dim lighting add to the eeriness! You did a magnificent job of capturing the ambiance here, Michelle! Excellent work and description! :) #7991118

Mike Clime September 28, 2009

Nice capture and great textures! Wasn't this place interesting? #7991139

Ron McEwan September 28, 2009

I am thoroughly enjoying your series on the prison Michelle. This is interest, it is shaking some gray matter loose here. I remember reading about this prison. Religion played a big role in the early day rehabilitation.

I am off the KY for a month, pulling out of here Wednesday. WiFi will be hit and miss. #7991296

Renee Doyle September 28, 2009

Absolutely love this Michelle!!!!!!!! Awesome light, textures and comp!!!!! #7991354

Michele Wetzel September 28, 2009

Michelle,

Fantastic capture! Enjoyed the history!
Great lighting, amazing details and tones.

Shelly #7991368

Joseph N. DiGilio September 28, 2009

Well composed and exposed Michelle. If you were imprisoned here you really hit bottom. The thought of it gives me the creeps. #7991552

MELODIE C. ROBERTS September 28, 2009

WoW Mickey!!
Fantastic Tones and textures
Curious Why the floor is so Smooth....Any thoughts??

About Al's Digs
I guess the old adage is correct

Crime Pays ;0) #7991774

Hal Bambrick September 28, 2009

Just Stunning Michelle!!!. #7991986

Daniella Puente September 28, 2009

Strong capture Michelle with great POV and superb textures... #7992064

David Phalen September 28, 2009

An amazing capture with excellent light, POV, tones and details!! #7992226

Christine Lobsinger level-classic September 28, 2009

THis place reminds of a being captured by a bad bad man... no way for me to escape... and the only thing I could look out, would be the keyhole...
JUST FABULOUS CAPTURE and WORK MICHELLE!!!
Fasinating series Michelle, thank you!
CHRIS
SMILING #7992462

Dominick M. Dimacale level-addict September 28, 2009

Awesome image and presentation here, Michelle.

Dominick #7992575

Nadya Johnson September 28, 2009

Very eeeeeerie (!) and it gives me the creeps, but I love this series, Michelle! I took the tour of Alcatraz - I don't think I have the photos anymore as that was in the days of film and I have lost too many prints with all my moves; but that was Al Capone's next stop. He must have missed this other cell! On The Rock, NO art deco lamps or fancy desks or wing-tip chairs! (Or much of anything) Equally creepy I will add -- but fascinating, just like this. Great photos! I'm sure the light was dim and very challenging! #7992627

John Connolly September 29, 2009

Like something from a movie set, Michelle! Two amazing images beautifully presented! #7995099

Renata Gusciora September 29, 2009

AWesome lighting,tones and treatments,Michelle!Fabulous presentation and pov! #7995300

Tommy E. Burgess September 29, 2009

Outstanding capture of this most interesting cell Michelle!! #7996391

Eugenio Diaz September 30, 2009

Amazing and moving-- and so sad...lovely texture and composition
thats great my friend #7997696

Laura E. Swan level-classic October 03, 2009

Fascinating. I feel like I am reading a good book right now! Al Capone's cell was really something to see, too. I wonder if Satan was in prison what kind of treatment he would get? An interesting thought...

Your series is so professionally done and presented Michelle. We've all really enjoyed it. Sorry, I am a little late.

-Laura :) #8004919

Alex T. Mizuno October 04, 2009

Astonishing image Michelle! I can't last a day in a place like that. I'd go insane. I saw Al Capone's cell in Alcatraz also. This cell in Penn is more luxury.
You've captured textures of those rustic walls so beautifully! #8007871

Rich Helmer October 06, 2009

Wonderful textures! Great series Michelle!!! #8014977

Dick Jenkins October 12, 2009

You have a great understanding of light Michelle. It is always appreciated when a place of interest such as this will allow tripods to enable good photographers to record these settings that others might see, enjoy, and satisfy their curiosities. Excellent work.. #8029932

Kathy Coombs November 21, 2009

Wow..what an amazing picture..and story. #8149566

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