I actually started writing this critique before I read you about section, and I meant to ask if this was a security prison, but you've answered the question already as I can see. I'll like to say that you took what would have been a dull landscape picture and turned it into an interesting one. love the conversion, and I like the how the stumps in the foreground kind of leads us to the prison in the background. It really adds to the story. I think they probably cut down the trees for security reasons

Larry Bliss: I think you may be right Ade. It'll be interesting to see what they do next. Right now the place is desolate--reminds me of Shakespeare's "blasted heath" or a war zone. Some trees still stand to shield the neighborhood from this view--I hope they leave them up.

Any sense of aesthetics is ignored in environments like this. Often so little thought is put into how areas are designed.
interesting observation Larry ... your foreground treatment is the saving grace

Larry Bliss: Agreed. I guess the government figures out of sight, out of mind... even though this edifice is visible from another angle from one of Raleigh's main streets. Thanks for your noticing the foreground; the violence with which these old trees were removed is startling to me.

What happens in the foreground echoes the background: one is clear, the other, hidden.

Larry Bliss: Exactly, my friend. Destruction of two kinds.

Ah Larry, they lopped the trees down so that when the prisoners mount an escape, the gaurds have a free shot at them!

OK, just a theory.. ha ha

The foreground is amazing, a real scene of utter devestation. The B&W works really well.

Larry Bliss: Thank you! The place had an eerie feel to it--I didn't stay around long.

Gosh Larry they sure did rip the trees out.What did they use? Was it the council on a time bonus, it's a shame to see them ripped like that.

Larry Bliss: I am not sure how the trees were destroyed. It looks like something grabbed them by the trunk and just snapped it off. I guess this was faster than hiring a tree company to do the job properly.