Lonaconing Silk Mill: Women's Restroom

Lensbaby capture single shot: Photo Frame Pro texture overlay, masked selectively in Photoshop.

Last weekend I made a run up to the Silk Mill and met a great group of fellow photographers there. I stayed overnight Saturday so that I could be there in the morning to do some shooting. When I go there I always ask myself what's new to shoot, and what lens do I want to work with most. I thought I would challenge myself to work with the really wide angle, but the day came and I decided on the Lensbaby, a 200mm macro and 17-54mm zoom. The night before I saw a shot from Jeff who had been shooting there on Saturday of a row of sinks. Having been there before and never seeing them I was curious. Turns out they have been under wraps each time I have gone due to the ceiling leaking and instability. Herb had done some work on stabilizing the ceiling and now there was access to what was the main women's restrooms on the third floor. The light was wonderful in there from the tall window, and I was amazed that a roll of paper probably 64 years old was still hanging on the outside of the stalls. I also found that interesting too that the paper was on the outside of the stalls. I supposed you took into the stall what was needed. (I just wish I had taken a shot of the johns themselves..now I have to go back again!) These two images were made by shooting a reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall. That mirror was also wonderful with its beveled edges and the texture of paint peeling. I made the shot of the sinks that I saw the night before and captured a small slatted chair. Will be posting a few more shots from the mill over the next couple of days. Each time I am in the mill I can only imagine the lives of the women that worked there.

Lensbaby single shot with texture added in Photoshop.

Lensbaby single shot with texture added in Photoshop.

HDR image processed with Nik HDR Efex Pro Captured with 17-54 mm and texture added in Photoshop.

HDR processed with Nik HDR Efex Pro shot with 17-54 mm and  texture added in Photoshop.