A Kodak moment.... - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/19/2010 10:37:10 PM · #1

I entered this shot in the "Weathered" challenge:

This is the old Eastman-Kodak admin building in Toronto. I know a few other TDot photogs like

jeger and

VitaminB have entered shots similar to this before. I thought I'd share some of the images I made that day of Building #9 from my portfolio, and some links I found while doing some research on the place.

The place is obviously well-used, I mean an empty DLite box? Pretty much new? Was that any of you??!?? (I swear, this was in situ...)

There was a spooky moment for me, too. As I was up on the 5th floor in the elevator control room, one of the doors on the lower level slammed shut. I stood there breathless for about a minute, listening for signs of company, my pulse thundering in my ears...but nothing. The wind...probably.

In doing some Googles on the place, I came across a few nice links --

Here's what the place looked like before abandonment

credit: //fb.invisiblethreads.com/the_kodak_moment

- an awesome video of the place...nice grading! //vimeo.com/12193602

- and a best-of Flickr on Kodak building #9...#9...#9...#9...#9... //fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/kodakbuilding9,toronto

Peace!
- David

Message edited by author 2010-07-19 22:38:57.

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

07/19/2010 11:14:59 PM · #2

Very cool. I love shots like this, showing pure abandonment, making you think "what things could have happened here".

You could just walk in?

07/20/2010 06:54:27 AM · #3

Originally posted by PGerst:

Very cool. I love shots like this, showing pure abandonment, making you think "what things could have happened here".
You could just walk in?

Exactly!

Well, not walk in precisely, more like climb in. The grounds can't really be seen from street level, so it's probably fair to say the police don't visit the place much.

07/20/2010 11:54:41 AM · #4

Really cool shots, David!

Yup....I was one of the ones who also photographed it because I live a few minutes away from it. :)

I used to work there for summers to pay my way through university. :) The building to the very right (in the photo of the building as it once was) was the building I worked in for 4 summers. I packaged film and printed the cardboard boxes that the film came in during that time. My grandmother worked there for over 40 years as their "seamstress". She created all of the bagging and canopies for the trucks that delivered the film to suppliers. We all had to wear white lab coats and hair nets to work in certain departments. I miss the place. It's slated to be turned into either a box chain mall or a storage yard for GO Transit. Such a shame to see it go. Wonder what the Rochester plant is like now? Have you been?

The day I photographed the above shot, it was tightly sealed up and police patrolled it so, I couldn't get inside to get a shot. Since then, GANGS have taken over and it's been set on fire several times so, I guess they're not closing it up too tightly now as there's very little left. You're lucky though because this IS a Gang Hangout now! :) Be careful to anyone who wants to climb through it! The gangs in the area are brutal and will kill if they think you're intruding on them. I'm deadly serious about that.

Thank you for posting all of this and your shots. I'm really enjoying them...though sad to see an entire era go that was part of this community for half a century. :)

07/20/2010 11:59:18 AM · #5

By the way...this room in this shot you've taken...used to be "the conference room". Many a company gathering with guest speakers and presentations to employees took place here. :)

I remember being there for my grandmother's retirement presentation. *sniff, sniff*

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/20/2010 12:02:56 PM · #6

And, this one that I entered into the "Cityscape" challenge was taken from the bridge that runs over to the Kodak lands through Photography Drive. :)

The building you photographed (the last remaining of I THINK, 14 buildings) was to the left of that shot. :)

tnun

Ricoh GR III

07/20/2010 02:21:24 PM · #7

Very interesting, good pics, good links, and [user]J_Me[/user]'s story...

07/20/2010 05:15:10 PM · #8

Originally posted by J-Me:

Really cool shots, David!

Yup....I was one of the ones who also photographed it because I live a few minutes away from it. :)

I used to work there for summers to pay my way through university. :) The building to the very right (in the photo of the building as it once was) was the building I worked in for 4 summers. I packaged film and printed the cardboard boxes that the film came in during that time. My grandmother worked there for over 40 years as their "seamstress". She created all of the bagging and canopies for the trucks that delivered the film to suppliers. We all had to wear white lab coats and hair nets to work in certain departments. I miss the place. It's slated to be turned into either a box chain mall or a storage yard for GO Transit. Such a shame to see it go. Wonder what the Rochester plant is like now? Have you been?

The day I photographed the above shot, it was tightly sealed up and police patrolled it so, I couldn't get inside to get a shot. Since then, GANGS have taken over and it's been set on fire several times so, I guess they're not closing it up too tightly now as there's very little left. You're lucky though because this IS a Gang Hangout now! :) Be careful to anyone who wants to climb through it! The gangs in the area are brutal and will kill if they think you're intruding on them. I'm deadly serious about that.

Thank you for posting all of this and your shots. I'm really enjoying them...though sad to see an entire era go that was part of this community for half a century. :)

Wow, Jamie...awesome, thanks for adding to the post! I had no idea the gangs were getting that bad in TDot. I happened to be at a kids' birthday party at a friend's place just a couple of blocks away on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and I slipped away after the cake & presents...walked up and hopped inside. Didn't see a soul around, but maybe I'd have to rethink the whole going-in-alone thing. :-)

07/20/2010 05:21:42 PM · #9

Originally posted by J-Me:

And, this one that I entered into the "Cityscape" challenge was taken from the bridge that runs over to the Kodak lands through Photography Drive. :)

The building you photographed (the last remaining of I THINK, 14 buildings) was to the left of that shot. :)

Actually, there's still a couple of buildings where the trucks used to come in, I guess...down here somewhere.

Message edited by author 2010-07-20 17:24:36.

07/20/2010 11:46:17 PM · #10

There could still be a couple of the old "gate" buildings at the back. :)

I didn't go along Industry Drive to get in so, it's possible! I'll have to go and drive along there and see if I can get in from that street to see. You've piqued my curiosity now :).

I'm not quite sure why they left that one #9 building though. I should look into that as well. It may also be that the satelite shot is older??? They're not always updated BUT...they could still be there! :)

Thank you for showing me that. I didn't bother to look much further as I don't like the company that seems to hang around that property now. :) Did you encounter anyone on your journey in there?

Message edited by author 2010-07-20 23:47:18.