Tag Archives: Historical

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Monochrome, OM System

Stones – Monochrome Monday

November 9, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

Walking through the older cemetery parts of Magnolia I’m always impressed with the art work of the monuments and headstones of the time. Charleston had just gone through being under siege for almost four years, and yet there were some still with wealth enough for this.

Stones - Monochrome Monday — Stones – Monochrome Monday

I changed my lens after a short time photographing Spoonbills near the large ponds. I went with the ‘plastic fantastic’ thinking I could change again in a little while. I never did.

It’s slow to focus, soft around the edges, and shows great contrast/shading all on it’s own. I think it adds just a little character, or maybe it’s in my head. No matter, it’s fun to play with.

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 4–150r, Lightroom, DxO Silver Efex

Charleston, Close-up, OM System, ON1, Small Critters, Wildlife

Green Critter In Colorful Plants

November 6, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

There are all types of colorful plants around the outside of the main house at Magnolia Plantation. The Anole hide all around the bushes, however they just can’t blend in on a few of the more colorful ones.

OM-1 mk2, OM 100-400 II, ON1, DxO Filmpack

Cemetery, Charleston, Film Filter, Landscape, OM System

Masonic Lodge No. 1 / 1735

November 5, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 7 Comments

Established and organized in 1734, receiving its formal warrant in 1735 and holding its first official meeting on October 28, 1736, at Shepheard’s Tavern (Corner of Church and Broad Streets).

Significance: It is recognized as the oldest Masonic lodge in the South.

“I don’t want to belong to any club that will have me as a member”; Groucho Marx.

The Freemasons Lodge’s have been around since 1599, formed in Scotland. Rather than have their own cemetery the various Lodge’s have sections in some Charleston cemeteries. There may be a private Freemason cemetery locally since southern cemeteries didn’t really exist like up north. Savannah had the first in 1750, Charleston was this one in 1850.

While most old wrought iron fences are rusting away, the Freemasons are usually well maintained. There is one I know of in Magnolia Cemetery that is damaged.

This is one of the more intricate iron post and fence I’ve seen.

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, DxO Filmpack.

Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Marsh, OM System, What I Saw

Wandering Around

November 1, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 6 Comments

There are numerous sections in this old cemetery area. If just wandering you can pass through Magnolia, enter Soldiers Ground, next the local Catholic graveyard and back into the old Umbra plantation house in Magnolia Cemetery. Across the road there must be ten AME cemeteries also.

I prefer the old Victorian designs, so I stay along the marsh banks.

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Wandering Around

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, Topaz.

Black And White Photography, Canon, Charleston, Charleston Jail, Historical, Monochrome, What I Saw

Halloween Nightmare

October 31, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 4 Comments

From the original 1800’s Charleston Jail.

Best viewed large.

Note;

In 2019 a group of around 8 people were invited to document the old jail for what might have been the last time. The property had been sold to private developers, the interior was set to be demolished. The original interior was intact at this point.

Ellen and I, along with a well known historical photographer who was instrumental in getting us there, were included. The above was one of my favorite, and horrific, images.

Think of being in the dark cell, thick bars and block walls, and seeing the keys hanging across the hall… out of reach. Stedt Bonneau, the Gentleman Pirate, and the crew of Black Beard’s pirates were held here before execution.

During the late 1800’s a section was set aside as an asylum.

Old Jail Building Bars - click to enlarge — Old Jail Building Bars – click to enlarge

I’ll be locking my door tonight.

Cemetery, Charleston, Film Filter, Historical, Landscape, Marsh, Monochrome, OM System

W. J. C. (1858)

October 30, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

I’m not really sure why, but the old nondescript headstones I find intrigue me. Most off to the side, on their own, their story long gone.

The least I can do is photograph them, give them some recognition.

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, DxO Filmpack.

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Monochrome, OM System

Found On A Walk – Monochrome

October 30, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography Leave a comment

This old cemetery has dirt tracks that run along side marshes, woods, and ponds. Sometimes there’s a plan on where to go, most often I just wander. No matter what it’s an incredible place to be with a camera.

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, DxO Silver Efex.

Cemetery, Charleston, Film Filter, Landscape, Marsh, OM System, Swamp

Charleston, South Carolina, Salt Marsh

October 30, 2026 Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography 2 Comments

On the other side of this tree line is the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor.

The old Magnolia Cemetery winds through the marsh, above ground mausoleums on the edge of the water. Charleston is at sea level and all this could be washed away.

All this land was originally the Umbra Plantation, a rice plantation until the US Civil War.

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150r, Lightroom, DxO Filmpack.