The stockade, at a former California military base, was designed to be a short-term holding for inmates, before being transfered to a penitentiary in Kansas.
Photo: "Bathtub With A View"
Patient restroom at the former Marine Hospital in Tennessee, constructed in the early 1900's.
Photo: "Mesquite Golden Hour"
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley
Photo: "Back to the Morgue"
I had the opportunity to revisit the Marine Hospital on a recent trip and I knew I wanted to spend some time in the beautiful morgue again, in an attempt to get a more refined shot.
For the image below, I used one 125w LED panel to light the entire space. First, I set the panel inside the hood, aimed it upward, over the table and left it for a minute and a half on a low setting. Then I removed the light, placed it on the ground off-camera to the left and bounced it off the ceiling for another minute and a half at full power.
Photo: "In Administration"
The Babcock Building at the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum was constructed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and the footprint resembled a Kirkbride. The building was built in four phases spanning nearly 30 years. The Administration Section, shown here, was among the last sections to be built.
Photo: "Light Checkered Dayroom"
Central State Hospital was once the largest psychiatric facility located in Georgia, within the boundaries of the former state capital. The asylum accepted its first patient in 1842, but overcrowding quickly plagued the hospital.
In 1884, this building was constructed to cope with the expanding patient population and housed white, male convalescent patients.
Photo: "Prison Cell"
This military prison in California was constructed in the 1960's and designed to be a short-term residency for inmates, prior to a transfer to Fort Leavenworth.
Tomorrow I'm heading out of town for a few days, so I will see you all next week!
Photo: "Railroad Avenue"
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard contains several hundred buildings and other structures, all erected at various times throughout the 120-year operation and constructed in a variety of architectural styles. Among these structures are the Naval Weapons Station, Marine Barracks, Nuclear Power School and Combat Systems Technical Schools Command, Hospital and Power Plant.
Photo: "A Solitary Pain"
"Idly, up comes the sphere
vibrant daggers pierce, scorching the shadow
ashes on marble, frozen in time
and there, like just before dawn
lies a pile,
humanistic,
quiescent, friable, bend-able form
Hands creep round the mask
and stop."
Photo: "Time To Get Lost"
Sometimes I wish I could escape the real world and get trapped within one of my photographs...
Photo: "Solitary Confinement Cells"
Weston State Hospital operated from 1864 to 1994 in Weston, West Virginia and is recognized as the largest hand-cut masonry building in North America. This Kirkbride was originally designed to house 250 patients, but by the 1950's patient count reached 2,400. Corridors and day rooms became home to patient beds and the conditions were very poor. The hospital closed its doors in 1994 due to changes in the treatment of the mentally ill.
Photo: "A Little Variety"
Over the past month or two, I've been trying to add variety to my postings here, showing not only the forgotten world, but also scenes from San Francisco and my travels.
In a few weeks my stream will be flooded with photos of abandoned buildings again because next Thursday, I embark on a week long road trip on the other side of the country, shooting hospitals and industrial sites.
As many of you know, documenting modern ruins has been my first love since I started seriously pursuing photography almost 5 years ago, so it's exciting to think about sharing dozens of new images from these locations with you upon my return.
For now, here's a photo, taken last month during the full moonrise, of another subject I have really enjoyed shooting recently.
Photo: "Soak With A View"
This commune was founded in the 1950's and was a destination for artists for decades until 2006.
Photo: "Room For Two"
Inside a small, single-room miner's cabin in Death Valley. This mine opened in 1917 and was was known to have the largest body of commercial-grade ore in the region.
Photo: "Sweet Misery"
Sunrise at the Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley
Yesterday, I picked up a new sleeping bag for chilly weather. I realize it's still a number of months until winter (I know, I know, it's not even summer yet) but I can't wait to get back out here next winter and do some camping.