Tin Can
21-Mar-2021, 07:44
I used to live near Essanay Studios Chicago, Illinois (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/essanay-studios)
Never got inside, I tried
However early last decade when all LF gear and Pro studios were dumping everything, I got into many very old giant brick studios, primary ULF and LF
Most are Condos now
One on Chicago Ave just east of Western had a second floor basketball court size studio space, I was getting a pile of free paper. The very high ceiling had an 8X10' hot light of many fixtures, it was on a big cast iron beam to move by motor the length of the studio. An impressive artificial skylight. They turned it on and moved it.The ramp elevator was a powered platform in the middle of stone steps rising 2 stories to the studio. It could move full 2 full pallet boxes. Never saw the Darkroom, but it was there.
Another was in the old/new photo district. I got there late, a lot was gone, the husband/wife photographers were going out of business and getting divorced, Both there dividing cash sales as they happened.
The space was also huge with 2 stories, west windows and surround second floor lighting/walkway. Safety rails.
Also 8' Crescent Moon swing from ceiling. Not for sale...
I paid cash for 2 Sinar kits with lenses in custom travel boxes. I had no idea what I was buying. They insisted I take anything left. I took sandbags, Majestic tripods, lighting stands. 2 of 16 chrome leather chairs. They were rejects from Salvation Army taking only perfect chairs, tables and who knows what. They were loading right then. Made a couple more cash buys from the next door studio. Two 12' built in SS sinks I couldn't get out. No time. I wanted her phone #!
I started LF when I joined here and still have a lot to learn.
There were other studios dumping, I bought and now use.
I almost got into The Chicago ave Montgomery Wards studios, which claimed 100 Studio 11x14 Deardorff (https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?8577-11x14-Deardorff-Studio-cameras) set up. 500 were made in Chicago. I and 5 others here have one.
The day I got it assembled
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51058399553_46c2636368_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kMRDkF)Deardorff S11 Just set up (https://flic.kr/p/2kMRDkF) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr
Never got inside, I tried
However early last decade when all LF gear and Pro studios were dumping everything, I got into many very old giant brick studios, primary ULF and LF
Most are Condos now
One on Chicago Ave just east of Western had a second floor basketball court size studio space, I was getting a pile of free paper. The very high ceiling had an 8X10' hot light of many fixtures, it was on a big cast iron beam to move by motor the length of the studio. An impressive artificial skylight. They turned it on and moved it.The ramp elevator was a powered platform in the middle of stone steps rising 2 stories to the studio. It could move full 2 full pallet boxes. Never saw the Darkroom, but it was there.
Another was in the old/new photo district. I got there late, a lot was gone, the husband/wife photographers were going out of business and getting divorced, Both there dividing cash sales as they happened.
The space was also huge with 2 stories, west windows and surround second floor lighting/walkway. Safety rails.
Also 8' Crescent Moon swing from ceiling. Not for sale...
I paid cash for 2 Sinar kits with lenses in custom travel boxes. I had no idea what I was buying. They insisted I take anything left. I took sandbags, Majestic tripods, lighting stands. 2 of 16 chrome leather chairs. They were rejects from Salvation Army taking only perfect chairs, tables and who knows what. They were loading right then. Made a couple more cash buys from the next door studio. Two 12' built in SS sinks I couldn't get out. No time. I wanted her phone #!
I started LF when I joined here and still have a lot to learn.
There were other studios dumping, I bought and now use.
I almost got into The Chicago ave Montgomery Wards studios, which claimed 100 Studio 11x14 Deardorff (https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?8577-11x14-Deardorff-Studio-cameras) set up. 500 were made in Chicago. I and 5 others here have one.
The day I got it assembled
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51058399553_46c2636368_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kMRDkF)Deardorff S11 Just set up (https://flic.kr/p/2kMRDkF) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr