Hellingly Lunatic Asylum

ScarySquirrel · 2 Jun 2009 at 23:28

Despite being my 24th birthday today I had arranged to meet with a chap called Luke (from Talk Photography Forums) at Hellingly Lunatic Asylum tonight.

Unfortunately he couldn't make it but I decided to head along, not quite sure what to expect. Getting in was easy, I literally walked in at the front entrace through a fence which had fallen down.

I was amazed by the place, but I'll let my photos do the talking.

I got so carried away I couldn't work out how to get out when I decided to leave as the perimeter is surround by huge metal fences with large spikes on top, so I had to find the way I came in. This place is HUGE though, and with the sun going down, magpies squarking, I honestly thought I was going to become the star of some horror film!!

To say I was scared is an understatement!!

I made it though.

Here are my favourites. Full set here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/scarysquirrel/sets/72157619157966598/

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Thanks for looking. Feel free to leave any C&C, particularly on post processing as I feel I may have overdone some of it

ScarySquirrel · 2 Jun 2009 at 23:50

Raikiri said:
The overdone looks very well with these types of pics, being so near me I'll have to go out there at some point.

They're all good, 3&6 are my faviourites though.

Yeah I would highly recommend it. I'll be going back a fair few times I think.

I heard it has been bought for development of houses though, so get in there while you can

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 00:06

Thanks Marky. I intend to go back as I really want to find the old Hair Salon there, there is so much left for me to find there. Hopefully with the help of Luke from TPF I can find some new spots in there.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 11:04

Yarde said:
3 and 5 are my favs!!

3 is just brilliant, the slightly irregular shadow fits in with the location

Thanks mate. The whole shadow thing in 3 was a real spur of the moment idea but I am glad I did it

Messiah Khan said:
Shame its so far from here, otherwise I would be well up for joining you. Great shots btw.

Thanks

I feel quite lucky that it is so near to me, and I only found out about it recently!!

Yarde said:
How big is this place like!?

I really want to go to the one near me, St Mary's, but its just getting in, as apparently, its really bad security wise, they're hot on it

It is MASSIVE!!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...89181,0.268296&spn=0.003005,0.009549&t=h&z=17

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 11:51

Willis said:
Well done mate some good shots and hope to join you there soon, looks like its going to be 2 weeks before I get up your area.

Thanks Willis.

Just drop me an email (in trust) whenever you fancy going and we can take a trip up there.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 12:48

Yarde said:
JESUS H. CHRIST!

I never thought in a million years it would be that big!

I guess thats why you need someone to show you around!

Yeah definitely. I got seriously lost and it took me a while to find my way out.

In the 2 hours I was there I reckon I saw 15-20% of it. A few more trips are required

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 14:44

GeX said:
because buildings that are dropping to bits aren't as 'safe as houses' anymore! there is also metals in there that people like to steal, also knobs like to set fire to places like these;

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4395200.Firefighters_tackling_blaze_at_Hellingly_hospital/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7744477.stm

back on topic, some nice shots there. love the shadow one, and think the processing works.

need to get back to down to hellingly, been a long time since i was last there!

although, i do have a bigger asylum on my doorstep

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s....657812&spn=0.00387,0.015439&t=h&z=17&iwloc=A

(most of what is in shot, the annex up near the top left is nicely decayed too)

Wow that place is huge as well.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 16:05

knowlesy said:
some amazing shots there !!!!! i take it you didnt go by yourself ?

Why the

?

Yes I did go by myself

Probably extremely dangerous but hey ho.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 17:17

famas said:
im not normaly a fan of urban stuff but these are fantasic, love the pp, the rough edgy pp really suits the photos, some nice selective colouring too used in just the right way.

1,3 and 7 stand out best for me. really great work.

Thanks famas.

This is actually the first time I have used selective colouring. Number 1 and 7 are probably two of my personal favourites though.

I seem to be getting good feedback on number 3 which is surprising because it was a spur of the moment thing and just a bit of a test really. The first attempt the shadow was completely wrong, the 2nd time it was complete fluke that I got in the right position for that shadow

ScarySquirrel · 3 Jun 2009 at 20:17

MoNkEyMiKeY said:
Bet you could get some good shots in those buildings with their roofs missing.

Some of the ceilings have fallen in throughout the building, but most are in tact.

I was actually preferring the darker areas though, especially as I had my flash and wireless triggers with me, as I could light up really dark foreground subjects and leave a long exposure going (number 7 for example).

As for settings, I found myself shooting in manual for most of them, F11-F13 with about 1-3 second exposures depending on light. I couldn't believe how much more flexibility I had once I had done this as it gave me much better control over the exposure (I know this is obvious but I don't normally shoot manual (unless shooting with off camera flash))

ScarySquirrel · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:14

DeadMan said:
Very impressive

Thanks dude, I'm glad you like

ScarySquirrel · 5 Jun 2009 at 12:43

Oooh actually I think I prefer that, thanks dude

ScarySquirrel · 7 Jun 2009 at 22:53

Wedge said:
Have any you guys re-visited yet?

I will probably look to go back in the next couple of weeks. But not yet, no.

Justin said:
Love these type of pictures, good work!

Thanks Justin

ScarySquirrel · 8 Jul 2009 at 09:33

What day did you go Willis?

I was supposed to let you know when I went again wasn't I? I haven't actually been back since hence no contact

Glad you had fun though. I need to pay another visit (seeing as it is only 10 mins down the road anyway) before the place gets knocked down!

EDIT: How random, Helen has just suggested we go there for a portrait shoot this weekend. Should make for some very cool atmospheric shots. Plus I won't have to fight with the wind to keep my umbrella/softbox upright

ScarySquirrel · 8 Jul 2009 at 23:04

MuGeN said:
gotta say, there's no way i'd go in there on my own

shots 1 & 7 are awesome in my opinion... not loving 3 as much as most people though to be honest there's something a bit cheesy about it?

what lenses did you use for these shots?

Mostly my Sigma 17-70mm and Sigma 10-20mm I believe.

ScarySquirrel · 21 Jul 2009 at 15:58

mark66 said:
How quiet is this place? From the looks of it and the graffiti etc I would expect it to be quite popular with kids messing about, vandals, drug addicts etc etc? Nowadays most places places like this are fully boarded up I would thought, I am quite amazed that you can just walk in and that it hasn't been burnt down?

Certainly looks like a very intriguing place!

When I went for these shots I didn't see anyone.

Last time I went I saw about 3 groups of other people exploring. The place is huge though so there could have been more.

MrLOL said:
really dislike the phrase "lunatic asylum"

not everybody sectioned under the mental health act is a "lunatic"

Sorry.