Abandoned Amusements (Asbury Park, NJ)

jenweavernj · February 10, 2008

This is my first "photo" post here on dgrin. Thought I'd finally share some of my work with you all.

Thoughts?

"Many outside of amusement park or Bruce Springsteen circles (or perhaps Jersey itself) have never heard of this run-down town, which sits south of the wealthy community of Deal and above the quaint seaside burg of Ocean Grove. Unlike Coney Island it was never "the world," but to those who grew up watching the evening sun hang in the sky from the end of the Casino pier it was a warm & familiar place to spend a day having fun with the family or explore a taste of life with friends. While Coney has started its Renaissance the hopes and dreams for those who loved Asbury have never seen its second coming begin. It seems that we are left with more false starts, such as the skeleton of a building that stands next to Ocean Avenue, than substantive change. However, the hope remains that the Palace and Casino will be places that once again make memories instead of becoming memories themselves."

Excerpt above take from THIS WEBSITE.

schmoo · February 10, 2008

Hi Jen, thanks for delurking with a photo post!

I grew up in central Jersey and always had a fascination with Asbury/Ocean Grove. I did miss the boat on a lot of the abandonments before they were taken down or started renovations, but the whole area is so mesmerizing.

I love the Victorian architecture on that building. It's a shame it's so cleaned out at this point, but you accentuated the lines created by the windowpanes nicely. The symmetry in the reflection is especially pleasing.

jensen photos · February 10, 2008

I LOVE this kind of photography!

I have a (non sexual) fetish for abadoned buildings, the photos are great.

Check out http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/index.php for inspiration.

Quzol1 · February 10, 2008

Nice Series. I particularly like the 2 with the water reflecting the building.

As a series the only thing I would like to see is a shot or two of a closeup detail.

jenweavernj · February 10, 2008

Shmoo, Thanks for your comments. I actually grea up in Central Jersey as well (right near 8A on the turnpike)...now I live about 15 mins from where I grew up)... Middlesex County..

Jay, I have a "thing" for abandoned buildings as well. Somehow I always seem to find something abandoned to photograph. Thanks for sharing the link to that forum.

Quzol1 - Thanks for your comment. I have some close up details as well. I'll have to load them up and add them later for you.

JillG · February 10, 2008

Hi, nice series, I especially like #5 with the reflection. My mom grew up in Paterson, and talked about Asbury. It's great to see it. Looking forward to the detail shots.

jziegler · February 10, 2008

Great shots Jen!

I lived in that area for a couple years (Lived and worked in Eatontown for a while) so I've taken a few trips to Asbury Park (usually parking in Ocean Grove and walking over). I don't have any digital pcitures from there, which means that last time I was there was probably in 2001. Looks quite a bit different, the casino was completly closed off then, and the Palace and the skeleton of the abandoned building were still there.

I love the reflections in the water in a couple of those shots.

Great, now I'll have to go and scan the negatives for my Asbury Park pictures sometime before too long....

aj986s · February 10, 2008

Nice pictures. Those buildings have an aura about them. I hope they don't get demolished. Tony Bourdain (No Reservations) did a show about NJ recently, and he visited the park. He had a miserable meal at the HoJo's that's apparently still open (barely...). Did you check out the fortune teller?