My B&W Weekend - Last Part: Abandoned Silk Mill (many photos)

[Mike Buckley]

My wife and I jumped at the opportunity to join a dozen photographers spending three hours inside the Lonaconing Silk Mill in western Maryland. The mill made thread from raw silk and other synthetic materials during its heyday.

It is apparently the only abandoned silk mill in America that is still intact. Initial construction finished in 1907 and the mill operated for 50 years before closing in 1957. That happened at least partly due to a financial dispute between management and unionized labor. The closure was so abrupt that some personal items of the employees remain in the building to this day along with the industrial equipment and supplies.

I included an unusually large number of photos in the thread thinking that the inside of a silk mill that has been abandoned for nearly 60 years might be of interest. Notice the date on the calendar in Photo 8.

I have never photographed in such a dark building. The most extreme darkness was the scene in Photo 12, which was captured at f/4, ISO 2200 and 30 seconds (my camera's slowest shutter speed other than using "bulb" mode).

The only handheld shot is the first photo. I took it standing on the narrow side of a wobbly wooden crate stabilized by my wife. (I was too high to use a tripod.) My settings for that one using a 35mm prime lens with no image stabilization mounted on a camera with a 1.5 crop factor were ISO 6400, f/18 and a shutter speed of 1/13 second. Yes, I was very lucky.

Photos 2, 8, 9 and 13 were captured by my wife and post-processed by me. As always, my favorite photo is hers -- the pair of shoes. I didn't even see them, much less photograph them.


Photo 1



Photo 2



Photo 3



Photo 4



Photo 5



Photo 6



Photo 7



Photo 8



Photo 9



Photo 10



Photo 11



Photo 12



Photo 13

[Manfred M]

Mike - you and your wife got some amazing shots here. I guess I must have a weak spot for factories, especially old ones. I like this series the best of all of your "weekend" postings. Images 12 and 13 are the ones I like the most.

What surprises me is how clean and well preserved everything seems to be. It must have been fun shooting there.

[FootLoose]

This is a fantastic set, Mike. They should all be viewed in Lytebox and the largest size possible to fully appreciate the atmosphere. For some reason, #3 and #4 remind me of the old B&W newsreels we used to watch before the main feature at the cinema on Saturday afternoons.

#9, #12, #13 are the standouts for me, though. #9 for the textures; #12 for the lighting and the sense of history it evokes; and #13 because that is a great subject, well composed with perfect lighting and excellent processing.

I will have to bookmark this thread so I can return to it often.

[deetheturk]

Wonderful series Mike,+1 to what Manfred said,this is also my favorite of the weekend,well done to you and your good lady wife!

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

My B&W weekend came to be because photographing the mill was the primary goal and certainly the most unique opportunity. Visiting the other nearby areas was secondary though they were just as enjoyable in their own right.

I knew what to expect at the mill from reviewing photos of it online. I had planned the types of photos that I wanted to make. Even though I had paid for three hours inside the building, I didn't have the time to make some expansive compositions that included the long hallways and ceiling. I hope to return next year, possibly sooner because there is always the concern that the owner will sell the property to a salvage company.

I still have one more photo to make, thanks to the helpfulness of the mill's owner. That surprise will come hopefully in the next week.

[Brownbear]

Just to say that #6 is my favourite. (gorgeous!) Followed closely by #12 for the story and beauty of the image. Despite the subject I also adore #10 as it is especially beautifully photographed.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series Mike Appearently I missed it for some reason, may be I wasn't online. I can't really say my best is this or that, because they are all nice.

[Shadowman]

I don't know why but all of these represent or suggest noisy environments. Nice captures.

[John 2]

Outstanding series Mike but for me, no.13 says it all because it touches on the souls that worked there.

[Mike Buckley]

Continued thanks to everyone!

I don't know why but all of these represent or suggest noisy environments.

It's impossible for me to imagine that the large rooms filled with rows and rows of spinning machinery wouldn't have been very noisy.