Ghost of Commerce Past

© Michelle Alton

Ghost of Commerce Past

Uploaded: March 26, 2016 | Entered: March 26, 2016 05:30:27

Description

From Wikipedia: Part of the Reading Railroad's Port Richmond complex, this was one of the primary transfer points for anthracite coal between Pennsylvania's coal fields and the international market. The pier had two tracks and was once equipped with a large McMyler side car dumper, which would lift coal cars from the rails and dump their contents into waiting barges anchored along the side of the pier.

By the mid 1970s, the coal industry was declining rapidly. After the Reading Company was absorbed by Conrail, the pier, and (most of) the rest of the port, was abandoned. The coal dumper was scrapped and removed at a later date.

Known now as the "Graffiti Piers" there no longer is any clear access to this eerie (and dangerous) place. Since my shoot there, police patrol the piers and threaten to arrest people. But it is still a destination for photography groups...who ALWAYS get their shots!


Comments

Bojan Bencic level-classic March 26, 2016

Great composition and mood, Michelle. Fantastic light and colors. #1653076

Gord MacEachern March 26, 2016

Great capture Michelle, probably only with a group type of place. Love your pov here, but play safe! #11451916

Marilyn Cornwell March 26, 2016

What a wonderful composition of a great setting! #11451931

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe March 26, 2016

Outstanding light, comp. depth and capture, Michelle. Looks like a great place to photograph in groups. #11451937

JO ANN CLEVELAND March 26, 2016

Wowza Michelle...such a beautiful find and presentation! A fave for me.... #11451950

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe March 26, 2016

Outstanding comp, depth and detail! #11451956

Austin Rex J. Lobaton March 26, 2016

Interesting capture, congrats. #11451975

Martha R. Mazon level-classic March 26, 2016

Very well seen, framed, captured and presented, Michelle! Excellent. Great info too. #11452003

Nancy L. Green level-classic March 26, 2016

With your wonderful commentary, I can almost smell the coal dust and hear the workers and machines, VERY well done!! <>< #11452066

Emile Abbott level-deluxe March 26, 2016

Fantastic location to capture and thanks for the info Michelle. #11452151

Sue Marshall March 26, 2016

Very cool, Michelle! #11452194

Carol L. Fowler March 26, 2016

GrReat composition and story #11452307

Evy Johansen level-classic March 26, 2016

Very cool image, Michelle! #11452359

Neal D. Hatcher March 27, 2016

Awesome capture-I always love your descriptions #11452576

Mary Beth Aiello level-classic March 27, 2016

Gorgeous comp and light, Michelle. I was there about three years ago, as you know, and it' s a great place to photograph. #11452581

Mary Beth Aiello level-classic March 27, 2016

Gorgeous comp and light, Michelle. I was there about three years ago, as you know, and it' s a great place to photograph. #11452582

John Connolly March 31, 2016

An amazing scene Michelle! You certainly live on the edge! #11454525

Ray level-classic April 02, 2016

Wonderful work here, Michelle! #11456078

Larry Smith April 05, 2016

Great detail Michelle #11457296

Donald K. Cherry April 30, 2016

Wow, I love this image! Wonderfully captured and presented. #11468115

Donald K. Cherry April 30, 2016

Wow, I love this image! Wonderfully captured and presented. #11468116

Donald K. Cherry April 30, 2016

Wow, I love this image! Wonderfully captured and presented. #11468117

Donald K. Cherry April 30, 2016

Wow, I love this image! Wonderfully captured and presented. #11468118

Donald K. Cherry April 30, 2016

Wow, I love this image! Wonderfully captured and presented. #11468119

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.


BetterPhoto.com Editor's Pick


Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Michelle Alton.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.