"Eye of God"
Uploaded: September 28, 2009
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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
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. #1185580Brett Dolsen September 28, 2009
Amazing inside capture and composition Michelle!!Wonderfull to view!!Brett #7989560a2o akmal aini othman September 28, 2009
fantastic work, Michelle! we done! #7989568Douglas Pignet September 28, 2009
Beautiful capture Michelle with excellent tones and lighting,very well done. #7989607Aimee S. McMaster September 28, 2009
....such great light, texture & tone Michelle...it does an an eerie presence....Aimee #7989626Tess L. Yee September 28, 2009
Wonderful light, color, and texture, Michelle. #7989645Tammy M. Anderson September 28, 2009
Very interesting place and info, Michelle. Great presentation. #7989666Tiia Vissak September 28, 2009
great tones, light, details & framing! #7989687Carolyn M. Fletcher September 28, 2009
Even in prison it's a good thing to have a little money. LOL #7989707Paul E. Earl September 28, 2009
Fantastic image and information!! #7989741Jeff Robinson September 28, 2009
Both are outstanding Michelle! Great info too! Jeff #7989800Karen Bacon September 28, 2009
Amazing images and stories Michelle! #7989901Amy M. Wilson September 28, 2009
Another great capture and such fascinating info... so well presented, Michelle! #7989977Kaye Burazin September 28, 2009
Loving this Michelle. WOW! #7990132Courtenay Vanderbilt September 28, 2009
Both very powerful images, Michelle and stand in stark contrast to each other. Beautifully captured! #7990175Bonnie C. Lackey September 28, 2009
I hope you enter Al's cell also - the walls must have been closing in regardless of the dressings. #7990227Manuel Barrera September 28, 2009
amazing low light capture Michelle, was that the 24L lens? #7990415Christian Rosito September 28, 2009
You captured the light very well, shows the sense of the place. Great! #7990460Marcel J. Fernandez September 28, 2009
Great history and beautiful light and texture. #7990549Mark Dodge September 28, 2009
Fascinating history, Michelle. Great shot here. Love the lighting and composition. Well done! #7990625Joao 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? #7991040Lorna 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! :) #7991118Mike Clime September 28, 2009
Nice capture and great textures! Wasn't this place interesting? #7991139Ron 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!!!!! #7991354Michele 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. #7991552MELODIE C. ROBERTS September 28, 2009
WoW Mickey!!About Al's Digs
I guess the old adage is correct
Crime Pays ;0) #7991774
Hal Bambrick September 28, 2009
Just Stunning Michelle!!!. #7991986Daniella Puente September 28, 2009
Strong capture Michelle with great POV and superb textures... #7992064David Phalen September 28, 2009
An amazing capture with excellent light, POV, tones and details!! #7992226Christine Lobsinger 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...Dominick M. Dimacale 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! #7992627John Connolly September 29, 2009
Like something from a movie set, Michelle! Two amazing images beautifully presented! #7995099Renata Gusciora September 29, 2009
AWesome lighting,tones and treatments,Michelle!Fabulous presentation and pov! #7995300Tommy E. Burgess September 29, 2009
Outstanding capture of this most interesting cell Michelle!! #7996391Eugenio Diaz September 30, 2009
Amazing and moving-- and so sad...lovely texture and compositionLaura E. Swan 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.Rich Helmer October 06, 2009
Wonderful textures! Great series Michelle!!! #8014977Dick 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.. #8029932Kathy Coombs November 21, 2009
Wow..what an amazing picture..and story. #8149566Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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