Shooting an old prison: Photojournalists, Strobists and anyone else please chime in.

I was recently asked to shoot some portraits of people visiting the old Santa Fe State Penitentiary. (I know, I don't do people) but since this is for charity, I accepted. I also asked if I could shoot parts of the prison independantly and was given permission to do so. I have never done any photo-journalistic type work but have always wanted to shoot this old prison---there is a lot of history there. If you aren't aware, the old Santa Fe prison was the sight of the bloodiest prison riot in U.S. History. It has been featured on many documentaries and in several prison movies and is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the US. So my question: What now?

I have equipment, lighting and permission but have no clue how to shoot photojournalistic type material. I am guessing my two primary lenses should be my 10-22 and my 50 1.2L (should I consider renting something else?), I also plan to process everything in black and white---Is Silver EFX Pro worth the money for something like this? I really want to bring out the dark emotions and eerie feeling of this place, but I am not sure how to really communicate this through still images.

For me, this is a far stretch from wildlife and nature so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob williams

It has been featured on many documentaries and in several prison movies and is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the US. So my question: What now?

---

The only answer I have is: Have fun....

It sounds like a cool opportunity. My only suggestion is that if you get any ghost pictures don't post them on the internet immediatly. Wait till you get a big bucks offers from the tabloids and make some cash.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

The only answer I have is: Have fun....

It sounds like a cool opportunity. My only suggestion is that if you get any ghost pictures don't post them on the internet immediatly. Wait till you get a big bucks offers from the tabloids and make some cash.

---

Another great suggestion from HD:cool:

Sounds like a great opportunity, Bob!

Some random thoughts:

- think outside your personal box
- shoot at odd angles to maximize strangeness
- shoot small details: locks, bars, wicked-looking metal projections
- water dripping down walls
- rust stains that might be blood
- hope for interesting clouds for exterior shots, else minimize sky

For some people shots, pick a subject or two (perhaps 'attractive', perhaps 'gritty-looking'h and track them (think elk!) to try and capture some evocative facial expressions.

Have fun!!

Definitely HDR stuff, or at least bracket for it now in case you decide later to try some. Odd shots as mentioned work well. If they had electric chairs, maybe a shot from the ground looking up. Not that it wouldn't already ready look huge and scary. I'm excited to see some stuff already.
NIK has a two week trial. I'd watch a video or two on their youtube thing and then test drive it.

First off, check you don't have any outstanding warrants.
Great suggestions above and I would say Nik Silver is definitely worth the money, very easy to use.
Good luck, have fun with it.

Check out the internet for "urban exploration" or just "urban" photography and look at some of those shots. The idea of urban is that you shoot photos at abandoned or closed down buildings. In the category you might get some ideas of interesting shooting angles and styles.

As for software, don't buy before you try. A lot of programs offer unlimited use of the program for a small period of time(30 days or so). Use that time. Silver Efx might work, yesterday when downloading DxO I saw that they also have a similar program for B&W and personally I use Alien Skin Exposure 3. Enough choices ;)

Have fun!

A couple of shots with the contrast pushed a little to far and a real grainy look would help enhance that gritty, surreal feel of the place. Try some real high ISO's with exposer compensation in the negitives may get you some real grainy B&W's... some may not like that type of picture, but in this case I think that is what would give the right feel to the picure.

It also may help the effect to push the sharpening a little farther than you would normally.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by neuroanatomist

Sounds like a great opportunity, Bob!

Some random thoughts:

- think outside your personal box
- shoot at odd angles to maximize strangeness
- shoot small details: locks, bars, wicked-looking metal projections
- water dripping down walls
- rust stains that might be blood
- hope for interesting clouds for exterior shots, else minimize sky

For some people shots, pick a subject or two (perhaps 'attractive', perhaps 'gritty-looking'h and track them (think elk!) to try and capture some evocative facial expressions.

Have fun!!

---

Great ideas and tips John---I was thinking low and close on many of the shots, especially when looking down the hallways and cell blocks, I also want to really put the 10-22 to good use recognizing some lens correction is inevitable. Regarding the exterior shots, I am sure I can talk my way into one of the towers which may be another good use of the 10-22 or even try a pano.

Thanks for the ideas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by andnowimbroke

Definitely HDR stuff, or at least bracket for it now in case you decide later to try some. Odd shots as mentioned work well. If they had electric chairs, maybe a shot from the ground looking up. Not that it wouldn't already ready look huge and scary. I'm excited to see some stuff already.
NIK has a two week trial. I'd watch a video or two on their youtube thing and then test drive it.

---

Yes---definitely some HDR opportunities, and I am hoping to get some shots that I can venture beyond the HDR reality and and experiment with the "grunge" look (actually, I call it the "Saturday Evening Post" look) but you get the hint. I also downloaded the trial of Silver EFX pro----Very nice program and operates much like HDR EFX Pro, which I own. I'll try the other recommendations as well.

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve U

First off, check you don't have any outstanding warrants.

---

Good Idea. "Did I pay that last speeding ticket:confused:"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sheiky

Check out the internet for "urban exploration" or just "urban" photography and look at some of those shots. The idea of urban is that you shoot photos at abandoned or closed down buildings. In the category you might get some ideas of interesting shooting angles and styles.

Have fun!

---

That was a great suggestion. although I have seen a few shots of this type, I didn't realize there was a whole photography genre or subculture. Really cool stuff and just exactly the kind of photos I would like to produce with this little adventure

Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by conropl

A couple of shots with the contrast pushed a little to far and a real grainy look would help enhance that gritty, surreal feel of the place. Try some real high ISO's with exposer compensation in the negitives may get you some real grainy B&W's... some may not like that type of picture, but in this case I think that is what would give the right feel to the picure.

It also may help the effect to push the sharpening a little farther than you would normally.

---

More solid suggestions, I played with the grain a little in the trial version of Silver EFX pro----really adds to some of the shots. The sharpening idea is also one I will remember when I get to post.

Thanks

Has this happened yet Bob? Would love to see some of the shots.

I was just thinking about this thread two days ago. Glad you brought it back up. Can't wait much longer Bob:) I'm so excited for ya.

Not too much pressure, but your fans are waiting...... :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kayaker72

Not too much pressure, but your fans are waiting...... :D

---

Sorry Guys, But I won't be doing any of this until the middle of January----I am chomping at the bit to get inside this old "HAUNTED" building. I just hope I can do it justice.

Oh, And please, keep your suggestions coming. I am actually taking notes.

As long as there's a nice stormy clouds, a nice HDR taken with a really wide lens from really low down, in a courtyard or so with the dark stormclouds festering above would look great (weather-dependent)

(I've got an image in my mind, not sure if i've seen it somewhere or even dreamt it. somewhere in between this one and this one, but with more of the ground in the courtyard showing and the grass coming through cracks and whatnot...)

edit: I think this is kind of what I had in mind...

Would still like one up high for an inside shot. Like a security camera perspective. Maybe even long exposure trickery for a few "ghosts".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob williams

Oh, And please, keep your suggestions coming. I am actually taking notes.

---

Check this out. This guy has some prison photos. Probably an older prison than the one you are going to, but he had some neat shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/no3rdw/...7628532272279/

Okay, officially past the middle of January. If you can't tell, I am really excited to see this.. I'm sure there is some deep rooted jealousy in there somewhere. Has the eagle landed?!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rocco

Okay, officially past the middle of January. If you can't tell, I am really excited to see this.. I'm sure there is some deep rooted jealousy in there somewhere. Has the eagle landed?!

---

Well Rocco, the plan is to do a recon mission tomorrow (Wednsday) and take a few test shots---hopefully I'll have something to post from that round. In a couple of weeks, I'll go and spend the whole day there and really work the shots.

Bob

Just an update---Had a minor crisis this week at work, so I wasn't able to take the day to go do this. But....It is still on the agenda.--Sorry Rocco.

:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rocco

:(

---

I know Rocco, I am disapointed as well. Things have just been to busy at work lately. The nice thing is that the invitation remains open---I just have to get through the next month or two before the schedule allows that kind of free time.

Just bumping this thread up a bit:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob williams

If you aren't aware, the old Santa Fe prison was the sight of the bloodiest prison riot in U.S. History. It has been featured on many documentaries and in several prison movies and is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the US. So my question: What now?


Thanks

---

You need to forget the still photos and instead get a video camera that shoots night-vision. You could make a kindergarten art class look spooky that way if you just jerk the camera around a lot.
A random assortment of totally irrelevant measuring devices is essential; a barometer, a thermometer, a fathometer, a dynomometer...prety much any kind of '-ometer' will do.
Then you just need a couple of girls with night-vision cameras so everyone can film each other pretending to see/hear things and screaming.
Bingo!! Reality TV gold!

So any luck working on this project?

Unfortunately not G-Man, We have had a lot of organizational changes recently, so no time to play. Even when I could find the time, the guy with the keys didn't have the time---But I haven't given up on the idea.