Sanitarium Skylights

[beavens]

I like decay. I like grunge and abandoned.

I like forgotten. Sometimes this involves bending the law a bit. Unfortunately, this vice of mine entails a bit of trespassing at times. I refrain from destruction to gain entry and only use craftiness. I don't disturb or pose what I see, I just take pictures. I use natural light and long exposures because flash ruins the mood and is so flat/snapshot looking.

I dig the vibe [creepy] in these places. I dig the exploration and interesting things you find. I almost always go with a friend because you never know what could happen (even a wrong step where the floor might go out) and better safe than sorry.

Anyway, diatribe aside. This was taken at the DeJarnette Sanitarium in Staunton, VA.

C&C welcome!

Jeff

 

[Ben Egbert]

I think you have conveyed the feeling of being there in person and what it was like, which I would expect is your intent.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

Yeah that gave me goosebumps thinking about all the freaky scary movies I watch, and thinking what I would feel like to be there in a sanitarium.....no thanks! If I had to be in one it would be with Jack Nicholson before he got his head drilled in "One flew over the Cuckoo's nest"

 

[AlanLichty]

I am thinking you have conveyed the grunge of this scene almost too well. That does not appear to be/have been a place where hope survives....

 

[Jeffrey]

Looks like a fabulous place to break in to. Nice image.

 

[JimFox]

Hmmm.... I shouldn't have looked at this one before bedtime....

 

[beavens]

I think you have conveyed the feeling of being there in person and what it was like, which I would expect is your intent.

Thanks Ben - definitely my intent. Dark corners and shadows with only a little detail coming through makes the mind wander and wonder, and generally not about happy things.

Yeah that gave me goosebumps thinking about all the freaky scary movies I watch, and thinking what I would feel like to be there in a sanitarium.....no thanks! If I had to be in one it would be with Jack Nicholson before he got his head drilled in "One flew over the Cuckoo's nest"

Mission accomplished!! The tension inside these places is palpable - even in spots that get a lot of light there still is just a strangeness in the air. Perhaps from some of the scandalous going-ons that took place, perhaps from being allowed to fall apart. The spots that are more dark than light or have a lot of shadow? Ooh boy talk about your skin crawling.

I am thinking you have conveyed the grunge of this scene almost too well. That does not appear to be/have been a place where hope survives....

Thanks Alan! No sir, many horror stories about the treatment of the patients. I'm afraid that this seemed to be more of the norm, and the real depressing fact is that a lot of these types of places existed up until maybe 25 years ago.

Looks like a fabulous place to break in to. Nice image.

A treasure-trove of grit and grime for sure! The main downside was that almost every window was boarded up, which made for limited opportunities. The abandoned hospital across the street had a lot more light to offer up. Thanks Jeffrey!

Hmmm.... I shouldn't have looked at this one before bedtime....

Sweet dreams, JIm!

Jeff

 

[Mike Mancil]

A place of agony, depression, hopelessness and despair; and you've captured it perfectly. B/W works great, good choice.

I think it would've been even better without the graffiti, but you had no control over that. I'm an old guy and can't stand graffiti, it's like a dog peeing on a bush and marking territory. (Sorry, that's my diatribe.)... Mike

 

[beavens]

A place of agony, depression, hopelessness and despair; and you've captured it perfectly. B/W works great, good choice.

I think it would've been even better without the graffiti, but you had no control over that. I'm an old guy and can't stand graffiti, it's like a dog peeing on a bush and marking territory. (Sorry, that's my diatribe.)... Mike

Thanks for the kind words, Mike! The vandals are one of the main reasons that the cops get tipped off to anyone trespassing. That or the owners don't want to be on the hook for any injuries or death on their property. I'm not a huge fan of most graffiti (the majority of taggers just aren't very good), but I LOVE the look that it provides for these types of images - even when it's poorly executed. I think it further enforces the feeling of the area being abandoned.

Jeff