SilentKnight's tickle trunk

Firstly, let me say I'm grateful (and humbled) you took the time to pass along the generous compliments and thoughtful critique of my images. I've posted a lot of my photography on various forums over the years - and your comments were some of the nicest I've ever read.

Thank you very much for that.

Your comments about the factory studio being "macabre" - that's an appropo way of putting it I'd say. We wanted a location that was dark, moody and a touch of sinister atmosphere - kinda' like the scenes you see in movies like Hostel and Saw (although we've been using that location long before those movies came along). Many producers/photographers in the genre often use generic hotel rooms or sterile studios that tend to make the bondage look too 'safe' (so to speak). All too often they don't go to the trouble or effort to photograph in a place that lends itself to the subject matter. We wanted an environment where the model looked out-of-her-element and possibly in a genuine predicament.

Plus the sheer size of the place meant we had tons of room too move around with the cameras and props...we weren't limited to a tiny studio where we'd be tripping over power cords and lighting stands.

As to the Atlas Metal shots - thanks again. Glad you enjoyed them. It was an exhausting shoot that day...I spent nearly five hours on the property and came away with close to 300 shots in total. The property is massive with at least 20 different buildings spread out over a lot of acreage. In its hayday it employed thousands here in town. Even though the pics turned out visually interesting...nonetheless it was rather sad to see it being stripped and gutted. I couldn't help but think of the generations of workers who sweated and toiled in the heat of those buildings to earn a living.

 

Bound on an inversion table.

The chute in the foreground is where workers used to drop loaves of bread from the baking oven through the floor to the packaging area downstairs. The yellow lines and concrete area surrounding the model is where the giant baking ovens once stood.

The entire building is over 100-years-old...and was originally the livery stable for the milkwagon horses in the city - before it was later sold to a major bakery company.

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Spooky... :shock:

So pretty.

Well, if he does that then I'll have to follow him around while he follows you around lol.

 

Have you ever caught anything paranormal/any ghosts on your pics? I think 2-3 places that you have taken pictures were featured on the Ghosthunters tv show. I know for sure the Eastern State Penitentiary was one.

 

Not that I'm aware of, no.

But you're right - several of the places I've photographed have been featured on paranormal shows. Fort George (in Niagara-on-the-Lake), the old Whitby Psychiatric Hospital and the Blue Ghost Tunnel.

I don't believe in the paranormal - so perhaps *if* it does exist...it doesn't bother to manifest itself for my camera, hehe.

A couple of buddies of mine (also photographers and believers in the paranormal) often talk about 'orbs' and how they've caught these spectral apparitions with their camera. Knowing how a camera works and how it interacts with moisture, smoke, dust particles and other elements in the air...I tend to just smile, nod my head...and let them think they've somehow channeled a long-lost spirit with their lens. To explain it to them in technical terms usually falls on deaf ears.

 

^^^ Cool pic. I think I'll save that one.

Sometimes you see something (or a series of somethings) that compel you to comment, for better or worse. Your work provokes that compunction in me.

I live in Las Vegas, you should see some of the seedy, rent-by-the-hour motel rooms here. Talk about macabre settings!

I'm 45 now and grew up in Chicago when it was still a vibrant industrial hub full of hustle and bustle, running full bore on the sweat of brawny guys named Hank or Joe or Wally. Those days are long past now of course as the steel belt became the rust belt. It's enough to make anyone melancholy, recalling how the seemingly impervious industrial might of this nation has become a wistful memory of what was and will likely never be again. Progress has streamlined, downsized, outmoded and made superfluous and archaic the old ways of going about things. Still, they were grand old days. It's sad to see the old cathedrals of mass manufacturing crumble from neglect, and then eventually get razed and replaced by yet another cookie cutter residential sub-division and a ubiquitous WalMart shopping plaza.

 

We're of the same era - I'm 44, and also remember the days when a lot of towns and cities in southern Ontario kept the local folks steadily employed at the various smelters and foundries. I still recall one summer where I spent a month or so renovating some offices in a small(ish) aluminium smelter - and what the conditions inside the place were like.

But industry aside - even the local schools are going the same way. Here in our small town the local highschool that has stood for over 100 years - is now abandoned and slated for demolition by a big Toronto developer. The vast majority of the longtime locals were educated and grew up in the school...and it'll be another sad day when the wrecking crews arrive. That's another location I got permission to shoot not too long ago - and took an entire afternoon to document as much of the place as I could.

 

Another old fucker!

Actually not, my old man is 41 years my senior and he's still going strong... Sheesh, I doubt I'll make it that far.

To the point, when 'company towns' lose their 'company', it affects everything in the community. Like I said, I live in Las Vegas. If gaming (gambling) were outlawed in Nevada tomorrow, this place would go from 2 million souls to 200K souls in no time (I wish). No reason to live in the middle of the desert if there's no reason to live here, know what I mean?

I've seen this trend all across North America. Actually, it's one of the reasons we continue to survive and thrive as a society, we don't allow ourselves to stagnate. There's always casualities (rough word), but there you go.

 

Made this one for another forum.

Butt-sects made easier.


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Our photo studio (with newly-laid floor).

And one of our studio cameras (nikon d80).
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SK, I just bought a D80 last weekend. Still trying to figure out everything that it can do... doing a lot of reading. And I am getting rid of my old N90s 35mm. Can't get infrared film any longer so I am moving on since I can just add a filter to the D80.

 

How much is that D80? I have a Canon EOS Rebel XT, but I hear that the latest Nikon are top of the line.

 

Ah, nice.

This past summer I bought a new Nikkor 18-200mm lens for it to replace the two other lenses I was using up till then. I got tired of changing out the lenses and risking dust on the sensor array.

If you haven't already gotten one - I recommend getting the power pack unit with the twin cells that clamps on the bottom of the camera body. With a full charge, I can shoot more than 1000 highest-res. shots without running out of power. I've yet to exhaust them in a single shoot.

The d80 is great for long exposure shooting at night, too. I do a LOT of night photography...and I've always been impressed with the d80's results.

Enjoy the new cam - look forward to seeing some of your shots with it.

 

Massoctt, I spent about 1200.00 and did not get everything I needed. I January I will get the lens that SK mentions in his response and I will also get a better flash.

But the D80 is a really nice camera and I also think it is top of the line. The D90 was very impressive but I just did not have the money to take that additional step and I also felt very confident in the D80. But both are better than the Canon EOS Rebel...

 

SK, I really wanted that 18-200mm lens that you mentioned. Next month I will have it! I had not thought of that power pack but will check into it when I go for the lens. Might have to wait a month or so to add it though. It sounds great!

 

The Canon Rebel series are aimed more at a dslr entry level consumer (don't get me wrong - they still shoot a fine quality image). I've worked with several Rebel models in the past and know quite a few fellow photogs who use'em too.

 

SK, I hope that you are going to tickle us some more in 2009! I do enjoy your work.

 

Hehe, of course.

I'm just relaxin' and taking a little time off for friends 'n family over the holidays.

 

Completely unrelated to the thread...but something I consider personally interesting....

Two photos - taken 18 years apart.

Two trucks - same location. Separated by a lot of time and space.


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I'll probably have to look into getting that as well. The Rebel is ok, but I don't get the clarity I need in dark settings.