Capturing Beauty in the Ruins - Exploring and Photographing Abandoned Locations
“When you’re lost in the darkness, look for the light.” – The Last of Us
Abandoned exploration piques our curiosity like that of a child, and it is undoubtedly one of my favorite pastimes. People are intrigued by something that is abandoned. Some locations leave one with so many questions, and there is no telling what historical treasures lie inside.
I have often brought people with me as I have explored over the years. However, I have also realized that many come unprepared. Even with thorough research, knowing precisely what one might encounter while exploring is impossible. So here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Are You Trespassing?
This is something better answered by an attorney. In a nutshell, the answer is yes. The question becomes can or will you be prosecuted for it? It is a gamble, and you need to use your best judgment when choosing a location to explore. Each state and municipality has a different definition for determining whether personal property is abandoned. So, be familiar with local laws.
Abandoned doesn’t necessarily mean an advocation of ownership. For example, let’s assume you stumble across an old house. The windows are gone. The roof has fallen in. It is obvious no one has lived there for decades. Outwardly appearances give all indications that no one is ever coming back. It may be possible that the property is abandoned physically and on paper.
On the other hand, an industrial building, an old school, a church, or a former business, is likely to have declared ownership. However, the property is not being utilized. In this case, the building or land is abandoned as it relates to usage but not regarding legal ownership.
How can you find out? A dead giveaway might be no trespassing or private property signs. A lack thereof does not ensure you won’t get into trouble. However, most county assessors have an online database where you can look to see who owns the property and whether taxes are being paid. In some instances, a call to the owner asking for permission is the best option. However, this may not be feasible if you are passing through an area.
General Safety Concerns
Exploration of any type is an at-your-own-risk adventure. Nonetheless, there are numerous safety precautions one needs to take.
Let someone know where you are and what you are doing. Being adequately prepared doesn’t ensure you won’t get hurt, so people should know where to find you. Let someone know they should look for you if you are unresponsive beyond a specific time. Many phones also have a share location option these days.
Wear proper clothing. This is easier said than done. If you know of a place you plan to explore, ensure your pants, shirt, and shoes are appropriate for the location and associated dangers. No shorts, skirts, open-toed shoes, or loose-fitting clothing that could easily snag and pull. Proper attire might be hard to plan for if you spot something you want to explore while driving.
Consider a dust mask or respirator such as an N-95. Even if a structure is largely exposed to the elements, it doesn’t ensure proper ventilation. Many older locations can have dust, mold, lead, asbestos, and other hazardous particles that can quickly become airborne when disturbed, or that naturally flourish in a given environment.
Consider a good tick or bug spray such as Permethrin.
Consider bringing something for self-defense. Not all locations pose a threat of running into someone, but it is possible. Also, there is the possibility of encountering wild or feral animals.
Have a way out. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you don’t have an escape route should you need one. For example, don’t park in a location where it is easy for someone to block you in.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Pay attention to sounds. Consider where you are stepping. Don’t lean on things, and certainly don’t pull or push items that could cause a structure to give. If the flooring looks dilapidated, then don’t attempt to walk on it.
If possible, bring a buddy.
Consider having a first aid kit in the car.
Bring a change of clothes and a plastic bag. At least consider bringing a change of shoes. There is no way of knowing what has stuck in the fibers of your clothing or that you have tracked back to your vehicle on your shoes. it may be something you do not want in your car let alone your home. In the event you don’t have spare clothing, then immediately toss what you were wearing in the wash when you get home. The more you can limit your exposure to potential hazards the better.
Exploration and Photography
Exploring in itself is an exciting prospect. However, taking photos inside abandoned locations is even more so. Something is fascinating about the textures of peeling paint and wallpaper, crumbling brick, and the aesthetic of old wood. Often a room or an item warrants taking a picture.
Conditions inside an abandoned building may not be ideal for photography under given circumstances. So, there are some things to consider.
A tripod is always advisable, even if the light is more than adequate. However, one is almost always necessary for low-light scenarios. A tripod will also cause you to slow down, think, and compose your shot.
Consider the possibility of damage or loss of equipment.
Each camera is as unique as the location itself. Therefore, you will need to experiment with settings. Use the lowest ISO and aperture (F-Stop) you can get away with. Control the light with shutter speed first.
Accept that you might not get edge-to-edge sharpness across a given image.
Look for the light. Lighting scenarios can be challenging, and what you get is what you get. Depending on the source and time of day, light can be harsh, soft, flattering, or non-existent.
Consider bringing an external light source for locations that are too dark such as Lume Cube’s Lume Cube or the Lume Cube Panel.
If you have a drone, bring one. A drone can yield interesting perspectives for a given location, but it can also be used as a safety measure. Send in the drone to be your eye in the sky. However, be aware of the possibility of losing the drone due to signal loss or becoming entangled. Space might also be limited.
Etiquette
There is a code of sorts between abandoned and urban explorers – take nothing but pictures and leave only footprints. I often revisit a location if I am particularly fond of it or that I have never finished exploring. However, it is obvious when someone has been there since and items are disturbed, moved, missing, or broken.
Don’t share locations unless you intimately trust someone. Posting exact locations, providing maps, giving GPS coordinates, or giving so much detail that one can easily decipher where you were is not a wise idea. All too often, others will vandalize that location. In some instances, people have raised awareness about an area that has otherwise remained unnoticed, which has caused a city official, state official, or even an owner to close a location or remove a structure.
Sharing locations can increase traffic for an area that has historically been dormant. One day, you may find several people showing up at a given location on the day you chose to explore. Excessive people can disrupt neighbors or businesses. Sharing exact locations is also documentation of your crime should one have been committed. Sometimes, you may provide the right person with enough information to seek prosection.
For me, abandoned exploration ushers in endless creative possibilities, especially when it comes to composite photography. It provides an opportunity to create an image that inspires and leaves a sense of wonder. However, there are many times I take photos of a place only for the sake of exploration, with no intention of creating anything artistic.
It is easier to plan for things when you know the logistics of a given location or even if you plan to spend the day looking for places to explore. It can be tempting to explore an area, especially while you are en route somewhere else, and the location is not something that one can quickly return to due to time or distance. However, you will find that sometimes it may be better to only observe from the outside or give it a pass.
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