McKeesport Bank Vault Mechanism Toned Monochrome Industrial Photography
Engraved Circles and Radial Steel Bars Fill the Frame
I spent hours exploring the abandoned People’s Bank building in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, before reaching this vault room. The door mechanism immediately held my attention. In this photograph from 2022, its concentric rings, radial bars and engraved panels fill the square frame, turning a substantial piece of machinery into a detailed study of shape and surface.
The central plate carries small dials and rounded fittings, surrounded by an orderly ring of bolts. Beyond it, steel bars extend toward the larger outer circle. Decorative scrollwork appears throughout the mechanism, sharing space with the practical metal components. I found that combination particularly compelling: the heavy structure has a precise arrangement, while the engraving adds a much finer rhythm. Curving metal edges enter from either side and keep the circular design connected to the wider door.
I kept the composition centred to emphasise the repeated forms. Warm monochrome tones bring the bright engraving forward against the darker metal, and small reflections give the fittings a sense of depth. Exploring the building slowly allowed me to appreciate details like these, where craftsmanship becomes visible in the object itself. This industrial photograph suits an office, library or studio with an interest in engineering and old machinery. Its square shape and radial pattern give it a strong focal presence, while the intricate surfaces offer plenty to study at a smaller distance.
© Dan Kosmayer, 2022
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About My Fine Art Photography
Every photograph in my collection comes from my own travels, explorations, and years behind the camera.
I create my work as photographic art rather than mass-produced decoration. From street portraits and abandoned places to landscapes, architecture, and the unusual subjects I discover along the way, each image begins with something that made me stop and look.
My photographs are available in multiple sizes so the same image can work in anything from an intimate wall space to a large statement installation.
