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St Mary's Lunatic Asylum

Welcome to St Mary's Lunatic Asylum, one of the most atmospheric places I've ever had the pleasure (?) of photographing. Set in extensive over-grown grounds in the middle of nowhere, this site is truly haunting.

on site facilities!

Below is my favourite picture from the outing, titled 'Ghosts at the Window'. I loved the way the light burned into the walls and floors, coupled with the decaying walls and the strong ethereal effect. Although I guess the title doesn't really make sense as I was at the window...

We never managed to gain access to any of the building's interiors - all the interior shots have been taken through windows. The shot above demonstrates this with creepy effect!

The church however was accessible through a rather unorthodox point of entry. Inside the floor was littered with dead butterflies of all things

One of the more suprising elements of this site was the cricket pitch. The shot above shows the old pavillion and further above are shots detailing the condition of the wicket.
COMMENTS
Sydney.michelette said at 7:05 p.m. on Nov 10, 2006:
incredible! wow!
Abking said at 7:09 p.m. on Nov 10, 2006:
Great set of photos. The subdued colors contribute to the atmosphere. Be glad you're on the outside looking in!
Ned said at 8:34 p.m. on Nov 10, 2006:
Truly amazing...
Mthorne said at 10:06 p.m. on Nov 10, 2006:
wow. this is photography at it's finest. boy this place looks very scary.
Bo_bo_92 said at 3:02 a.m. on Nov 11, 2006:
These are increadable photos. truely i'm speach less. i have read about this island and found it preatty disturbing. but your photos show every detail of the happings of this building. great job.
Chingyo said at 4:48 a.m. on Nov 11, 2006:
Very, very intriguing.
Banafsheh said at 10:19 a.m. on Nov 11, 2006:
what a fantastic doc.
Nmat said at 12:00 p.m. on Nov 11, 2006:
Haunting. Hard to believe you took all those interior shots through windows from the outside. Great job.
Pkeener said at 12:39 a.m. on Nov 12, 2006:
Amazing work and story. Great documentary.
Engelgrafik said at 9:43 a.m. on Nov 12, 2006:
Great tabblo.... your photography is one of excellent composition and you know how to use light and shadow to your advantage.
Caitbrowne said at 12:58 p.m. on Nov 12, 2006:
I love these images. There is something about the broken down that really pulls me in.
Rain said at 7:05 p.m. on Nov 12, 2006:
I love the way you used black and white on certain shots.. really makes this more intense.. Your shots are all wonderfullly sad, and fill me with emotion, I am moved by your work.
Noe said at 1:33 a.m. on Nov 13, 2006:
Amazing place... great shots!
Jasontengco said at 4:15 a.m. on Nov 13, 2006:
im a fan.
Siagian said at 1:24 p.m. on Nov 13, 2006:
very very cool. dang good photos.
Buddy4344 said at 10:42 p.m. on Nov 13, 2006:
Welcome to a fellow Byte pal! I hope you also find this format enjoyable. I recognize several of these shots from past work you have shared. Presented in this format they really tell a story.
Manischemaandag said at 6:53 p.m. on Nov 14, 2006:
very, very beautiful. reminds of The Shining..
Gustavo06 said at 11:45 p.m. on Nov 14, 2006:
very very cool. the interiors are great, and i really like the idea of adding the field shots... adds a sense of isolation and simultaneously, of the serenity of things abandoned.
Writeguy47 said at 9:45 p.m. on Nov 19, 2006:
These are very nice. I'd like to see you do some more of these and insert something starkly contrasting, such as a guy in a tuxedo or a woman in and evening gown. Just a thought. Keep up the great work.
Wantuhere said at 1:04 a.m. on Nov 20, 2006:
These are very intriguing photos...they're spooky but I can't help but want to look again and again.
DVP said at 1:00 p.m. on Nov 20, 2006:
Strangely compelling. I really enjoyed the documentary aspect of what you're doing.
Amym said at 8:26 p.m. on Nov 21, 2006:
neat...some of your photographs remind me of thomas roma's photographs of prison interiors. you should check those out if you haven't already!
Shiva8 said at 8:16 p.m. on Dec 4, 2006:
*shudder...
ever see Session 9??
Hollyridger said at 5:18 p.m. on Jan 1, 2007:
Wonderful tabblo - excellent minimalist dialogue adds to the ambiance. Happy New year!
AnotherSteve said at 11:25 a.m. on Mar 2, 2007:
Beautiful and creepy, really a stunning set. Great layout and comments. My single favorite detail: the way the little picture of the stained glass window floats on the black background next to some of your text.
Rheap said at 6:05 p.m. on Sep 3, 2007:
Very interesting, I would love to take a look in there, great photographs...
Rataskaa said at 2:30 p.m. on Sep 4, 2007:
WOW! You're an amazing photographer! Thanks for sharing your gift!
Tosh said at 6:46 p.m. on May 28, 2008:
hey i know its been a while since any one commented on it but just wonderd if you fancyed a chance to photograph it again i have been inside and photographed the interior it is very interesting to say the least we did not use force to gain entry just a simple matter of using the right window.


its due to be knocked down and i wish to return to the site for another shoot in the next couple of weeks there is a few areas i did not explore due to logistic dificultys, please contact me if your interested in shotting this incredible building one last time before it is raized to the ground


jonjo1989@aol.com from there i will give you my face book where some of my photos are, even if you just wish to see the photos contact me
SFMatMan said at 12:49 a.m. on Jun 1, 2008:
This is fantastic.
Virgo said at 6:01 a.m. on Mar 27, 2009:
True institution pictures of madness, this is the safest place for me? Thank God that he loves me.
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