The Extremely Unofficial Mini Dgrin Shootout
Thanks to April (AKTSE) for inviting me to go shooting with her and three other DGrin/Smugmug photographers on a fun trip to Alcatraz for a night time shoot.
Attendees included myself, Cal(not a DGRIN member yet:dunno) ,AKTSE, Liquid Air, Schmoo and the rarely ever seen but still has a huge impact Zweiblumen. And yes to answer your questions I was extremely nervous to shoot with such talented photographers. How can you not when you take a glimpse at some of their awesome work.:bow
Since AKTSE introduced me to IR camera's, I thought I would mainly use my new modified IR D80 camera. Below are some of the examples I was able to capture.
We departed pier 33 at 5PM and only had a couple of hours to go crazy and shoot at anything we can, except for those areas deemed restricted to tourists. Even then, someone in our group whom I can not recall(April maybe???), was able to convince one the park rangers to gives us a private guided tour of the underground dungeons.
This is were the original army fort's lower level was covered up by the newer prison but kept accessible. I am not quite sure how the newer prison used this area but originally it was used for the first fortress and military prison on the west coast.
This "lower" prison was used to hold Southern sympathizers/supporters during the Civil War, conscientious objectors during WWI, and a number of Native Americans, beginning in 1873.
OK, ok:rolleyes enough of the history stuff and onto the IR picture set.
First we have the view of the rock from the ferry. The tour included a trip completely around the island so we may see it from all sides. Very cool since the first time and only other time I have gone to Alcatraz, the ferry went straight from SF to the Alcatraz with no photo opportunities.
As we all, 300 hundred people, disembarked from the ferry, we were herded to an open space to get the run down on a little history but more on the rules of the Island. Our group was particularly spoken to by one of the park rangers to explain that we must stay within the barricaded areas and will be immediately escorted off the island if we do not strictly adhere to the rules and stay out of the closed off areas. The Park Rangers here must practice racial profiling using tripods as one of those characteristics of rule breaking tourists.:rofl
While listening to the rules and regs of the island, my mind started to wonder and i happened to gaze over to see this site. I thought it was a cool scene and a great picture to represent new new inhabitants of the Island. Seagulls own this island as they are perched everywhere there is a ledge.
Walking up to the prison's main entrance I saw this little obscure room/shed that almost looks part of the surrounding landscape. When I looked into the room through severely scratched up plexiglass, I had a chill run up my spine. I did not realize this was the prison's morgue until I saw a little worn out sign hanging on the door.
I totally missed the opportunity to take pictures of the sunset due to trying to capture a shoot inside that just didn't work as well as I wanted. The spiral staircase is really cool looking in person but i was unable to capture it the way I wanted in a photo. Maybe next time:scratch
The rest of the shots here are ones from the private tour of the dungeon area that the nice park ranger took us on.
These last couple were took in the medical ward
So there it is. A few pictures from two hours of shooting in one of the most famous prison's in the world.
I hope you enjoy the pics and stories as much as i enjoyed shooting with some very talented photographers.
:thumb
Attendees included myself, Cal(not a DGRIN member yet:dunno) ,AKTSE, Liquid Air, Schmoo and the rarely ever seen but still has a huge impact Zweiblumen. And yes to answer your questions I was extremely nervous to shoot with such talented photographers. How can you not when you take a glimpse at some of their awesome work.:bow
Since AKTSE introduced me to IR camera's, I thought I would mainly use my new modified IR D80 camera. Below are some of the examples I was able to capture.
We departed pier 33 at 5PM and only had a couple of hours to go crazy and shoot at anything we can, except for those areas deemed restricted to tourists. Even then, someone in our group whom I can not recall(April maybe???), was able to convince one the park rangers to gives us a private guided tour of the underground dungeons.
This is were the original army fort's lower level was covered up by the newer prison but kept accessible. I am not quite sure how the newer prison used this area but originally it was used for the first fortress and military prison on the west coast.
This "lower" prison was used to hold Southern sympathizers/supporters during the Civil War, conscientious objectors during WWI, and a number of Native Americans, beginning in 1873.
OK, ok:rolleyes enough of the history stuff and onto the IR picture set.
First we have the view of the rock from the ferry. The tour included a trip completely around the island so we may see it from all sides. Very cool since the first time and only other time I have gone to Alcatraz, the ferry went straight from SF to the Alcatraz with no photo opportunities.
As we all, 300 hundred people, disembarked from the ferry, we were herded to an open space to get the run down on a little history but more on the rules of the Island. Our group was particularly spoken to by one of the park rangers to explain that we must stay within the barricaded areas and will be immediately escorted off the island if we do not strictly adhere to the rules and stay out of the closed off areas. The Park Rangers here must practice racial profiling using tripods as one of those characteristics of rule breaking tourists.:rofl
While listening to the rules and regs of the island, my mind started to wonder and i happened to gaze over to see this site. I thought it was a cool scene and a great picture to represent new new inhabitants of the Island. Seagulls own this island as they are perched everywhere there is a ledge.
Walking up to the prison's main entrance I saw this little obscure room/shed that almost looks part of the surrounding landscape. When I looked into the room through severely scratched up plexiglass, I had a chill run up my spine. I did not realize this was the prison's morgue until I saw a little worn out sign hanging on the door.
I totally missed the opportunity to take pictures of the sunset due to trying to capture a shoot inside that just didn't work as well as I wanted. The spiral staircase is really cool looking in person but i was unable to capture it the way I wanted in a photo. Maybe next time:scratch
The rest of the shots here are ones from the private tour of the dungeon area that the nice park ranger took us on.
These last couple were took in the medical ward
So there it is. A few pictures from two hours of shooting in one of the most famous prison's in the world.
I hope you enjoy the pics and stories as much as i enjoyed shooting with some very talented photographers.
:thumb
0
Comments
and I have to say it again:
:jawdrop
I was there, and I don't even think my photos can even compare to this.
Your morque shot just creeps me out an sends shivers down my spine. And The composition of the zig-zag shot -- I wished I took it. I looked at it, thought about, and didn't press the shutter :cry
And we just got lucky with two nice park ranger (not the one who warned us) -- They shut off the lights for us at the medical ward just so we can try to get some shadows when they closed it off and we also got offered a private tour of the chapel, but we just ran out of time after the dungeon. Not many people can actually see the dungeons of the rock since it's locked up.
I'm just sorry that Schmoo and Zweiblumen missed their California sunset as a result of the private tour, but I think it was worth it. They just have to come back...
And I love shooting with dginners... such amazing people. I can't wait to see the other photos from the trip.
Well done
Now... if only my photos turn out as half as good as these
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Was it totally dark in there or did they have enough lighting so that you could see where you were going?
Awesome job!
~Eia~
Thank you very much Eia,
There was plenty of light in the main areas where the tourists wonder around in their self guided audio tour.
The dungeon area was fairly dark in places but plenty bright enough to walk around and see where you are going. Most of these shots were shot in IR with a -o.7 exposure adjustment to help set up the dark eerie mood.
IR cameras are very good for distinguishing the difference between the shadows and highlights. Sometimes too good
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just amazing
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Watching the weather report, I was hoping for more intersting skies, but by the time we headed out we had cornflower blue. This is the lighthouse (nearly ths same shot as one of Dan's) in color.
The ferry takes a swing the long way around the island which creates some brief opportunities at angles you can't get from the island. I took a bunch of shots of this building from the shadowed side, but this is the one and only chance I got to see it in the sun
The gulls own the island and, unlike the prisoners, come and go as they please.
We ignored this sign and headed into the prison:
Remember the building I mentioned earlier? Here it is again. I believe the plant on the right is a blooming Century Plant which blooms only once at the end of a roughly 25 year life span.
The light outside was hard and contrasty making exposures difficult
These rangers (lower right) saw a group of photographers as potential trouble and warned us to stay out of the closed areas:
Here's a place we didn't go:
The Flower of Alcatraz:
The interior of the prison is set up as a museum. This is a display near the entrance:
We spent a good deal of time in the prison hospital. This is a cell in the hospital set up as a display
Insult to Injury
Schmoo in taking pictures in the hospital:
Back in the main cell block. This area is closed to most visitors, but we got to see it on our way to a special tour of the basement.
The basement is odd mishmash of a place; remnants of the old fort mixed with structural work for the prison and an earthquake retrofit.
The rangers, somewhat impatiently, waited for me to take this shot as they shoed us off the top of the island:
You were very brave. I was hastily scampering down the far staircase when I saw them approaching you!
Dan, Ken, you do some amazing work and this is no different. I hope that I have even 3 or 4 keepers from my set! I love shooting with other folks but when I do I have a bit of trouble focusing.
An awesome evening and well worth the wind! I'd do it again any time I'm in SF.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Is it rude to ask for a step-by-step guide to your BW conversions?
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Great seriesof pic....and the reason for the profiling is pretty simple....you ahd SCHMOO along and her reputation for scurring thru falling down crumbling deserted buildings is know from coast to coast and in a few foreing countries also.......:D:D:D
Its not rude at all. I just do not have a single answer for you. It depends on the subject, the mood I am trying to achieve and the quality of the raw image.
I realize this sounds like a cop out but it is the truth. I still treat each photo as a film negative and post process each file individually. I do not like to run batch adjustments or actions when it comes to non-sport shots. I am way too much of a control freak to allow a picture of mine to be shown that did not represent how I was viewing that particular scene at the moment I shot it. If it does not come out the way I saw it, it goes into cyber-trash.
Does that make any sense to anyone else
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It was an honor to have met the great Schmoo, LiquidAir and even that tag along, coat tail riding, weight losing, way too funny, way too relaxed great to hang out with Zweiblumen
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Dark and scary and then sun lit, old and merely dusty.
Gotta love the 'ghost' in the x-ray room
Good work both of you, let's see what the rest of your little group got!
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Great work guys!
But I've got to ask, When did this happen?, How did I miss coming along!?
This happened on Sunday, March 30 because Schmoo and Zweiblumen came into town for a quick (and I mean QUICK) visit. If you blinked, you would missed them..
And Ben... Sorry to say, I just didn't think of you since you're way up north. And the other reason why I didn't contact other photographers in the bay area (or post about this mini-shootout on dgrin) was that I wanted/needed to keep this group on the small size. I called Alcatraz, and the first person that I spoke with stated that tripods wouldn't be allowed and then I called the national park service, and they said it was allowed as long as we weren't blocking the way of people.
Next time, just convince them to come to town for a longer period of time and we'll shoot in Napa or along the Somona Coast with you! After all, Zweiblumen still hasn't seen a California sunset yet! And, we need to go to Angel Island! And down south to view the Jellys! So much to capture! So little time! :smo
I remember rushing you for this shot because we were heading into the dungeon with the nice ranger and we needed to keep together.... And I'm so glad that you got it. Wonderful! I think you really captured the staircase so well and made use of the available light!
What a truly wonderful capture of the city! Nicely done!
I love all of your photos!
I haven't processed photos fer real in seemingly ages. My PP muscles are sore.
Starburst
Water and Wood
Pieces of Time
Bird in Paradise
Follow the Rainbow (or, a very common abandonment shot)
Crossed
Leading Lines
Sundown at the Lighthouse
Warden's House
I'm sure at some point I'll have more to say about the place, but right now I think the rest of the group covered it all.
Thanks April for setting this whole thing up and we all must go shooting again. Maybe on a regular basis.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
But no matter how humble you portray yourself, your composition, subject matter, ability to instill emotion into you photographs and even your PP is something to be marveled
Beautiful pictures schmoo, do ya think you will be able to convince Zweiblumen to post a few of his pics? I really want that masonic pic to see if I can find out what it means
Now only if i can convince Cal and April to post a few of their pics
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I'm just behind on my processing... They should be done tomorrow. Patience! Or I won't ride any coat tails anymore!
:jawdropI feel so worthy and accepted all of a sudden. Thank you
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I wish that I'd have gone out to the rock when I was in San Fran last year.
Maybe next time.
Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
My only regret of this shot is that it is in IR and that Schmoo’s awesome hoodie is showing up white. It’s actually a grey/black! But Zweiblumen – now, that is a man with great taste! Look at the camera and lens combo! --- oh, and his hoody isn’t bad either!
HOODIES (IR)
I always thought that Alcatraz would be a very difficult prison to be housed in due to its proximity to the San Francisco and Marin. From nearly every window, you can see life happening while you are incarcerated behind cold steel bars or while glacing through a dirty window.
JUST BEYOND THE WINDOW
And you are locked up, day in and day out, and with knowledge that the outside world is just beyond a windowsill.
SO CLOSE
And if you’re lucky enough to take a walk outside, you constantly reminded of the life that you are giving up
FREEDOM
And if you listen carefully, you’ll hear the sounds of the city, the honking of the cars, the chitter-chatter of a party. And if you take a deep breath and hold it, you can taste the home made dinner coming out of the oven as the aromas linger on your taste buds. And can you feel the energy of people enjoying the daily normality of what is considered life
JUST ANOTHER NIGHT
But at the end of the day, you are locked up with only the tastes of freedom lingering on your senses.
BEHIND BARS
Or, if you’re held in the basement… your soul is slowly sucked away and you quickly lose track of time and only have the scratches you etch into the wall as a reminder that time has slowly passed.
COUNTING
Surrounded by concrete and rusted steel, you don’t know which direction leads out
ENDLESS PATH
The remnants of the Native American occupation in 1969 still remain on the rock.
OCCUPIED
GRAFFITI
Thank you so much for coming with me and sharing a night at the rock. It was such a privilege to shoot with people with so much talent. I was completely in awe of everyone…. You all are amazing!
My only question… When can we do it again? :smo
I can't imagine what it must have been like for inmates to be so close yet
so far from freedom.
The feeling is mutual April. You are the one that set this up with such short notice and put together a group of photographers that have vastly different shooting styles.
What fun to see this thread develope and to my delightful surprise see the differences of photoraphy styles.
Great series April. I love the filthy window shot. Very poignant point of view from a prisoners perspective.
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I have to second the comment about the dirty window shot. That is simply amazing. And the one of the GGB - I think your's is better than the first one in this thread! So there!
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