Final call

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abandoned, architecture, art deco, arts, auditorium, chandelier, decay, historic places, philadelphia, philly, photography, theater, urban exploration, urbex

An abandoned theater in Philly

…and to dust you’ll return – another abandoned Philly church

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abandoned, architecture, church, decay, fresco, historic places, mural, music, organ, philadelphia, philly, photography, religion, religious, urban exploration, urbex

From dust you came… an abandoned Philadelphia church

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abandoned, abandonment, architecture, church, decay, font, music, organ, philadelphia, philly, photography, religion, sheet, urban exploration, urbex

Watt is love? Baby don’t hertz me.

Tags

abandoned, decay, historic places, historic sites, laboratory, long island, nikola tesla, photography, urban exploration, urbex, Wardenclyffe

Little geek humor there.

Today I went to the only remaining laboratory of Nikola Tesla in the world.  I had a “I can’t believe I’m here!” moment a few times.  I had a really tough time taking proper photos with my broken speedlite but just walking those buildings was enough for me.

Lately I am really feeling monotone/black and white photos. Sometimes it’s a pop of color that pulls me back to full color but I really love the simplicity and focus of a nice sepia or black and white. It’s good to be the boss of me.

Little side note this happened to my phone while I was there. Only time I’ve ever thought it was really cool for my phone to break.

Curiosities of the Asbury Park Boardwalk

Tags

abandoned, asbury park, birds, boardwalk, carousel, decay, giant chess, historic places, historic sites, old carousel, outdoors, photography, road trip, travel, urban exploration, urbex

My camera and I decided to take a mental (sensor?) health day and cruise out to Asbury Park for some photos. This neat little beach town is half abandoned, half not with relics in stasis or slowly being renovated. It was a lovely stroll and I stopped at a local pub which turned out to be a NJ landmark – the Stone Pony. Apparently that is where Bruce Springsteen was discovered. Had I known I would’ve taken a shot for posterity… oh well.

Ordinarily I try to keep my photo sets pretty cohesive when it comes to editing but today I just kind of did what I felt for each photo. My blog, my shots, my rules!

This is the old casino

Coolest pantomime ever, the clockwork man

The old carousel building

Street art:

Not on purpose but I think it looks pretty neato

Some random things from the boardwalk

Some feathered friends

Reduced to ruin, perfectly preserved, and left to rot

Tags

abandoned, batsto, cemetary, decay, historic places, historic sites, landscape, nature, new jersey, outdoors, photography, pine barrens, pinelands, road trip, ruins, south jersey, urban exploration, urbex

This is part two of my journey to explore the pine barrens.  This time I went to see the ruins of an old paper mill of the once thriving community.

As I was leaving I found a bonus cactus!

Next was the preserved town of Batsto. It was a scorching day but I nonetheless enjoyed the relaxing walk through this historic town.

I found this weird bug – any idea why this thing is?!

Last but not least, a quick stop by an old cemetary

Photog block.

Tags

abandoned, arts, kristy mitchell, nature, neurosis, new jersey, outdoors, photography, pine barrens, ruins, self discover, urban exploration, urbex

Lately I have been struggling with photography.  If you’ve read through more than a few of my posts you’ll see I’m kind of everywhere.  Nature, urbex, architecture, portraiture… it’s because much like nurses will work in different specialties to find their passion I have had to do the same thing to figure out where I want to spend my energies.  There are thousands of mediocre photographers and I just don’t *do* mediocre.  Uninspired attitude begets uninspired photographs and I just don’t want to publish mediocre work.

My biggest problem has been wanting more from photographs.  Yes, that’s a cool abandoned prison, that’s a pretty flower, that’s a nice landscape but I’m feeling la-di-dah about it.  A unique angle, a well-lit subject, a neat camera effect is desirable but I want more of me in my work and I’m not talking self portraits.

Today I came across the work of Kristy Mitchell.  I have seen lots of similar work but I was really moved by this photograph.

kirstymitchellphotography.com

I remember when I was recently at some ruins in the pine barrens thinking to myself “I wish I had something to pose on those arches.”

Life growing from this beautiful form – I know now where I want to go.  I have a lot to learn along the way – but Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Until then I promised myself to keep taking photos of anything that suits my fancy.  I will allow myself to make mistakes, to take risks, and to quit beating myself up.

Thank you to all who read my little blog and supports me along the way.

POD: Nothing in the cupboard

Tags

abandoned, architecture, decay, eastern state penitentiary, historic places, historic sites, philadelphia, photography, prison, reblogging, static instants, urban exploration, urbex

Reblogged from Static Instants:

You know shit's bad when even the Indian bounced hahhahahah!  I'm a nerd....  Anywho Mrs. Dawn Haggerty has graced us with another colorful demise.  Dawn what was this room any clue?  Great colors, great shot.

Read more… 2 more words

Chris is too kind - another feature on Static Instants! And yes, I know exactly what this room was. It was part of the laboratory over at Eastern State Penitentiary. This area of the prison is inaccessible through the regular tours. I was able to photograph it during a special hard hat tour. To see the rest of the images from that set go here. Be sure to take a gander at Static Instants. He has many talented contributors and he has a Facebook page!

Thanks Atlas Obscura!

Tags

abandoned, atlas obscura, decay, eastern state penitentiary, historic places, historic sites, philadelphia, photography, reblogging, urban exploration, urbex

My recent jaunt into Eastern State Pen to celebrate Obscura Day was noticed, and featured on the Atlas Obscura blog!  As an urban explorer this is one of my favorite blogs.  It showcases some of the most interesting places all over the globe.

New April Entry, POD: Gold on the ceiling

Tags

abandoned, architecture, decay, historic places, historic sites, new jersey, photography, south jersey, static instants, urban exploration, urbex

Reblogged from Static Instants:

Dawn Haggerty just added an entry for the April mcs and the POD is from her as well!  Standard decay greatness, keep it up!

Another feature on Static Instants! I've also entered a photo into the monthly photo competition so please mosey over and give me a vote! THis is from the set at some institutional dormitories. To see the full set go here.