Eastern State Penitentiary

Opened in 1829 as part of a controversial movement to change the behavior of inmates through “confinement in solitude with labor”, Eastern State Penitentiary quickly became one of the most expensive and most copied buildings in the young United States. Some of America’s most notorious criminals were held in the Penitentiary’s vaulted, sky-lit cells, including bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Eastern State Penitentiary was completely abandoned in 1971, and now stands, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers.

March 29 & 31 - Join us for a workshop at this unique national landmark, kept in a state of preserved ruin and full of unusual textures, light, and shapes that invite photographic exploration. The seminar will prepare you with practical and creative photo tips to help you get great photos in this unusual setting. We'll cover topics like High Dynamic Range (HDR) & architectural photography, portable lighting solutions, and lots more.

During our visit we’ll take a brief introductory tour of the prison, followed by free time to photograph. We'll even be given time to shoot in non-public areas of the prison, reserved exclusively for our students. Dan's instructors will be right there with you, providing guidance and immediate feedback. Later, we'll enjoy a group lunch across the street, rounding out a fun day of shooting in a great location.

This expedition includes: