choices

This is another shot from the abandoned high school in Helena, Arkansas. The way the light filtered into the building was wonderful. This was one of the few times I shot 100% manual. I was able to capture a bit more mood exposing it myself. I've since learned that exposure bias can help me do the same thing with a little less work.

school on haunted hill

Happy Halloween!! I added the sky to up the creepiness.

radiation vibe

I loved this old school in Helena, Arkansas. The light in these places seems to have a life of it's own. So many details seemed so magically even after years of abandonment.

wanted: one slinky

I seriously love abandoned buildings. They all have a mood to them. They all have a history. The best part is soaking in the mood of the place and imagining the history. This school was really amazing, and I'd love to know why it was abandoned. Anyway, I spent a few hours here exploring. I actually shot mostly manual this day and am thankful for it. I learned how to capture a mood with exposure. The shot above was intentionally underexposed. That stairwell freaked me out and I wanted to convey the feeling.

radiated decay

Taken: August 9, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 28 mm
ISO Speed: 640

Here's another shot from the abandoned school in Helena, Arkansas. This place had such grandeur that I'm sad was just abandoned. I've always been a little weirded out by empty schools so being in one that was falling apart was extra scary.

no more teachers' dirty looks

Taken: August 9, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 27 mm
ISO Speed: 400

I loved this old school in Helena, Arkansas. It was amazing to get to explore it. I shot full manual (expect focus), because I was having camera issues at the time. It was an excellent learning experience. Sometimes it's easier to capture the mood you want in manual than with the camera senor helping. I doubt I'll ever be a 100% manual type, but I like knowing how to do it.

enlighten me

Taken: August 9, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 20 mm
ISO Speed: 640

Here is another one from the abandoned school in Helena, Arkansas. This place gave me the creeps. I tend to find empty schools sort of spooky anyway though. I always love the light in abandoned buildings. There is something to be said about the way the light falls and the softness.

old skool school!!

Taken: August 3, 2009
Camera: Canon EOS 40D plus Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 400

This is an old high school in Helena, Arkansas. I was amazed at the grandeur of the place when I finally found it. I was having camera issues when I shot this, which ended up being user error. There was heavy editing and also the use of a texture to save it. I actually like the edit after all is said and done, because it helped create an eerie feeling for the place.

Thanks to Brian Cormack for the editing advice and general encouragement. Thanks to Matt Kennedy who always gives me useful camera advice and doesn't even pick on me for being a beginner. Finally, thanks to Skeletal Mess for providing awesome textures.