Urban Exploration
Jan/28/11 20:54 Filed in: Art on the
web
Rust to dust - Urban Exploration photography
What is giving the kick of photographing these old,
abandoned ruins of civilization?
I think there are three aspects of it:
Finding the location: The most tedious part, but in the internet age not a huge problem. Also, searching online opens usually a whole world of new impressions for the UrbEx interested photographer. There are photographs with new ideas, different aspects of how to photograph rust and decay and of course plenty of material, that reminds one of how not to take a photograph. Of course there is always the word of mouth story to find locations or the local knowledge that can be picked up at any good pub.
Getting access to a location: I think, technically getting access to any of those location is trespassing. Someone ones this thing and usually the old ruin is nailed shut. A clear sign. Somehow though, there is in most cases always an entrance, but finding it and using it is quite a thrill, specially when carrying around a bit of gear…
Exploring and photographing is of course the best part - the climax of it all. Walking through old, empty and dusty hallways, smelling the rot, breathing the stale air and just feeling the history of a place. Wondering what has happened there during the objects golden years. And of course, finding the killer subject to photograph. The one image that describes it all. This, combined with the constant thrill and the fear of not getting caught is what makes Urban Exploration a thrill.
I have a very limited amount of Urban exploration photographs in my gallery. I called this category "urban decay". It was funny to read an article this morning about UrbEx, the "trend coming from the USA". I don't know - I never felt it being a trend or something oh so secretive. Ever since I picked up a camera, there have always been people photographing the old ruins of civilisation and I found photographs in all sorts of photo communities. And, I always liked them. Who knows, maybe the subject found me….
In the end, I just wanted to share a link of Ben Jones Exploration Projects website. This is a brilliant resource and a great lead for a deeper read. Unfortunately Ben did not update the site since 2007 - at a time when I first found it, but never really made use of it. Who knows, maybe this time around it will happen?
I think there are three aspects of it:
Finding the location: The most tedious part, but in the internet age not a huge problem. Also, searching online opens usually a whole world of new impressions for the UrbEx interested photographer. There are photographs with new ideas, different aspects of how to photograph rust and decay and of course plenty of material, that reminds one of how not to take a photograph. Of course there is always the word of mouth story to find locations or the local knowledge that can be picked up at any good pub.
Getting access to a location: I think, technically getting access to any of those location is trespassing. Someone ones this thing and usually the old ruin is nailed shut. A clear sign. Somehow though, there is in most cases always an entrance, but finding it and using it is quite a thrill, specially when carrying around a bit of gear…
Exploring and photographing is of course the best part - the climax of it all. Walking through old, empty and dusty hallways, smelling the rot, breathing the stale air and just feeling the history of a place. Wondering what has happened there during the objects golden years. And of course, finding the killer subject to photograph. The one image that describes it all. This, combined with the constant thrill and the fear of not getting caught is what makes Urban Exploration a thrill.
I have a very limited amount of Urban exploration photographs in my gallery. I called this category "urban decay". It was funny to read an article this morning about UrbEx, the "trend coming from the USA". I don't know - I never felt it being a trend or something oh so secretive. Ever since I picked up a camera, there have always been people photographing the old ruins of civilisation and I found photographs in all sorts of photo communities. And, I always liked them. Who knows, maybe the subject found me….
In the end, I just wanted to share a link of Ben Jones Exploration Projects website. This is a brilliant resource and a great lead for a deeper read. Unfortunately Ben did not update the site since 2007 - at a time when I first found it, but never really made use of it. Who knows, maybe this time around it will happen?