Urban exploration, often referred to as "urbex" or "UE," is the adventurous practice of exploring abandoned, decaying, or neglected structures in urban environments. Urbex enthusiasts, including photographers and explorers, venture into these forgotten places, uncovering and documenting their hidden stories. This thrilling activity offers a glimpse into the past, capturing moments frozen in time. Urbex photography has gained popularity in recent years as photographers seek to immortalize the haunting beauty of these forgotten locations.
The term "urbex" combines "urban" (referring to city or town environments) and "exploration" (the act of discovering something new or previously hidden). Those who participate in urban exploration are often motivated by the allure of uncovering abandoned structures that are typically off-limits to the public. In this guide, we will dive deeper into the world of urbex, explaining key terminology, equipment, photography techniques, and safety tips for those interested in exploring these fascinating spaces.
Exploring Urbex Locations: A Deep Dive into Common Terms
Urban exploration (urbex) is an activity that involves venturing into abandoned, forgotten, or restricted places to document their state and capture stunning imagery. These locations are often off-limits to the general public, and accessing them requires ingenuity, preparation, and a good understanding of the environment. In this guide, we’ll explore the various terms used in the urbex community, giving you an insight into the specific language and techniques used by urbex explorers to gain access to these hidden gems.
Access
"Access" refers to the method of entering a location, especially one that is abandoned, closed, or restricted. Urban explorers are often faced with barriers such as locked gates, doors, and windows, requiring creative solutions. This can involve using lockpicks, bypassing security measures, or finding less obvious entry points. Gaining access to a location is a crucial step in urbex photography, as it sets the stage for the exploration and documentation of the site.
Admin
In the context of urbexing, "admin" refers to the administrative areas of a building or complex, which often house the building's security personnel or management. Admin areas are usually well-monitored, and they may include offices, security stations, and other control rooms. These spaces are often the most difficult to access due to the higher levels of surveillance and security measures in place. Many urbex explorers attempt to avoid these areas or use stealth to pass through them unnoticed.
ARTS (Abandoned Rapid Transport Station)
ARTS stands for "Abandoned Rapid Transport Station." These are locations, typically within public transportation systems, such as subways or train stations, that have been closed and abandoned. ARTS sites are sought after by urbex explorers because of their unique historical significance and the eerie atmosphere of forgotten underground spaces. Accessing these locations often involves navigating complex transport networks, making them particularly challenging and rewarding to explore.
Cracking
"Cracking" refers to the act of breaking into a location that has been seldom or never explored. This term is often used when an urbex explorer manages to access a site that is challenging to get into, either due to locked doors, sealed windows, or heavy security measures. Cracking requires skill, often using tools such as lockpicks, crowbars, or other devices to bypass security. This term conveys the sense of accomplishment that comes with exploring a virgin location, offering the explorer a unique and untouched experience.
Bricked Up
The term "bricked up" describes an access point that has been sealed with bricks or cement, usually to prevent entry into a building. Urbex explorers often encounter bricked-up windows or doors in abandoned locations, where access has been restricted. While bricking up a site is a physical barrier, urbexers sometimes find creative ways to circumvent it—whether by finding weak points in the sealing or through the use of tools to remove the obstruction.
Crash Bar
A "crash bar" is a type of emergency exit device that is installed on doors to allow for quick egress. These bars are often used in commercial or industrial buildings and can be found on exits to ensure people can exit the building safely in case of an emergency. However, in the context of urbexing, opening a crash bar often triggers an alarm, alerting security personnel to a breach. Urbex explorers need to be cautious when dealing with crash bars, as triggering an alarm could lead to their discovery or force them to retreat from the location.
The Fresh
"The Fresh" is a term used to describe raw sewage, which is often encountered in underground explorations such as sewers or drainage systems. These systems, though intriguing to explore for their hidden passageways and eerie environments, may have areas filled with raw sewage. The term "The Fresh" highlights the unpleasant but necessary part of urban exploration that comes with accessing the underground sections of a city. Exploring these areas can be hazardous, and proper precautions must be taken to avoid exposure to harmful substances.
Holy Grail
In the world of urbex, a "Holy Grail" refers to a location that is difficult to access but highly coveted by explorers. These sites are often shrouded in mystery or possess unique historical or architectural significance, making them desirable targets for urban explorers. The difficulty in accessing a Holy Grail location is usually due to its high level of security, obscurity, or the danger involved in getting in. However, once accessed, these locations often reward explorers with breathtaking views, forgotten artifacts, or rare photographs.
Hot
A location that is "hot" is one that is under heavy surveillance or has a high security presence due to previous breaches or prior urbex explorations. These sites are often closely monitored by security cameras, guards, or alarm systems. Accessing a hot location is particularly risky, as it may involve the threat of being caught or facing legal consequences. Urbex explorers may avoid hot locations or find ways to navigate them discreetly to avoid detection.
Infiltration
"Infiltration" refers to the process of gaining entry to a site that is typically off-limits to the public. It involves breaking into a building, underground system, or restricted area that is intended to remain hidden or protected. Infiltration often requires careful planning and stealth, as the risks of detection are high. It can involve overcoming security measures such as locked doors, surveillance cameras, and even physical barriers. Successful infiltration allows urban explorers to document spaces that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Picked
"Picked" is a term used to describe a location that has already been accessed by someone else using tools such as lockpicks. Urbexers use this term when a particular entry point has been opened and explored by others before, leaving the site well-known or accessible to a larger group. While a location may still hold intrigue, it may lack the sense of discovery that comes with exploring a site for the first time.
Portal
A "portal" in the context of urban exploration refers to an entry point, particularly in locations like subway systems, where a transition occurs from above ground to underground. Portals often serve as the entryway into larger urban exploration sites, providing access to underground tunnels, transportation networks, or hidden sections of the city. Urbex photographers often focus on these portals as they lead into the heart of urban exploration, where many discoveries and adventures await.
Recce
"Recce" is short for reconnaissance. In the world of urbex, a recce involves scouting a location before fully exploring or photographing it. This is an essential step in preparing for urban exploration, as it allows the explorer to assess potential entry points, security risks, and hazards that may exist within the building or structure. A thorough recce is critical to ensure the safety and success of the exploration.
Rinsed
"Rinsed" refers to a location that has already been explored extensively by other urbexers. These places have been photographed and documented numerous times, often resulting in little new material to discover. While rinsed locations may still hold some appeal, they no longer offer the same sense of discovery as they once did, and urban explorers may prefer to seek out less-explored spots.
Sniping
"Sniping" in urbex refers to accessing a location discreetly by cutting fences, breaking locks, or sneaking through openings without detection. This technique is often used by explorers who want to enter a site quickly and quietly, avoiding the attention of security personnel. Sniping requires skill, stealth, and sometimes the use of tools to breach barriers.
TOADS (Temporary, Obsolete, and Derelict Spaces)
TOADS refers to abandoned or disused spaces that meet the criteria for urban exploration. These locations are often temporary in nature, meaning they may not be around for long due to ongoing construction, development, or demolition. These spaces are appealing to urban explorers because they often provide a rare glimpse into forgotten places that are destined to be lost to time.
Urban Exploration Photography Terms: Mastering the Art of Capturing Abandoned Spaces
Urban exploration photography is a unique and captivating genre that involves documenting abandoned and derelict locations. This type of photography not only requires technical skills but also a deep understanding of the environment and the ability to convey the beauty and mystery of forgotten spaces. Urban explorers use a variety of specialized techniques to capture the haunting essence of these locations. Below, we will dive deeper into the key urban exploration photography terms that every urbex photographer should know.
Backlighting
One of the most effective techniques in urbex photography is backlighting. This method involves positioning the light source behind the subject, which results in the edges of the subject being illuminated. The effect often creates a glowing outline around the subject, emphasizing its contours. This is commonly referred to as rim lighting, where the subject appears as a silhouette against the light source.
In urban exploration photography, backlighting is especially useful when shooting dark, abandoned locations where natural light is limited. The glow of the light creates dramatic contrasts, making the subject stand out in a hauntingly beautiful way. For example, shooting a rusted doorframe or an old, decaying staircase with backlighting can highlight the texture and structure of the space, making it look almost otherworldly.
Backlighting can also create an eerie or mysterious atmosphere, perfect for the abandoned and forgotten places captured in urbex photography. It adds a sense of depth and drama, drawing the viewer’s attention to the edges of objects and creating a sense of isolation. When shooting backlit images, it’s essential to control the exposure to ensure that the subject remains visible, rather than completely silhouetted unless that's the desired effect.
Chimping
Chimping is a term that refers to the habit of reviewing your photos immediately after taking them on the camera's LCD screen. It’s a common practice among photographers, but in the world of urban exploration, chimping can often become a distraction. Urbex explorers are encouraged to minimize chimping to maintain focus on the exploration rather than getting caught up in reviewing their work in real-time.
In urban exploration, where exploration often involves navigating through dark and potentially dangerous environments, staying focused on the task at hand is crucial. While reviewing your photos can be helpful to check exposure or composition, excessive chimping can result in missed opportunities, delays, and even safety risks.
A good approach is to take several shots in quick succession, ensuring you capture a variety of angles and compositions, then review your photos in-depth after leaving the location. This method allows you to stay in the moment and be fully engaged in the exploration, while still ensuring you have quality shots to review later. Urbex photography requires patience, and taking the time to evaluate your shots after the session can often lead to more thoughtful, composed work.
Hero Shot
A hero shot is a standout photograph that captures the essence of an urbex location. These photos are often iconic, embodying the mood and atmosphere of the space being explored. A hero shot may focus on an intriguing focal point, such as a decaying building, a unique architectural feature, or a vast, atmospheric scene. These shots often become the defining image of an exploration, one that tells a story and evokes an emotional response from viewers.
In some cases, the hero shot might also include the urbex explorer themselves, either standing triumphantly within the space or engaging with the environment in some way. It’s a way of symbolizing the explorer’s achievement in accessing a difficult or rare location. The photo might include the explorer in the foreground with a sprawling, desolate scene behind them, emphasizing their connection to the space they’ve uncovered.
Capturing a hero shot often requires patience and careful composition. It’s about selecting the right moment and angle that truly encapsulates the atmosphere of the location. A hero shot can involve dramatic lighting, creative use of shadows, or an unexpected perspective. These shots are typically the most memorable of an urbex session and often become the cornerstone of a photographer’s portfolio.
Light Painting
Light painting is a technique commonly used in long-exposure photography. It involves using a light source, such as a flashlight, LED light, or even a fire, to illuminate certain areas of a scene during a long exposure. This technique creates artistic effects by "painting" light onto the subject, allowing for parts of the scene to be highlighted in a way that would otherwise be impossible with regular lighting.
In urbex photography, light painting can be used to bring life to dark, abandoned environments. For example, if you’re photographing a dimly lit industrial building, you can use light painting to highlight the textures of the walls, the intricate details of rusted machinery, or the interplay of shadows and light. By sweeping the light across the scene during a long exposure, the photographer can selectively illuminate parts of the space, creating a visually striking image.
This technique is particularly effective in capturing the mood and atmosphere of abandoned spaces. Light painting allows for a more controlled approach to exposure, giving photographers the ability to emphasize certain aspects of a scene while keeping others in shadow, which is ideal for the often dark and brooding environments found in urban exploration.
It’s essential to use a tripod when light painting to ensure the camera remains steady during the long exposure. Additionally, the length of the exposure and the intensity of the light source must be carefully adjusted to achieve the desired effect without overexposing certain areas or leaving parts of the scene too dark.
Dirty Shot
A dirty shot refers to a photograph taken with high ISO settings, typically resulting in grainy or noisy images. This technique is often used in low-light conditions, where the photographer pushes the ISO to its maximum in order to capture as much light as possible. While high ISO can lead to an increase in digital noise, it’s sometimes used deliberately in urbex photography to create a gritty, raw aesthetic that complements the decaying, worn nature of abandoned places.
The term "dirty" comes from the visible grain that appears in the image due to the high ISO setting. While the noise can sometimes degrade the image quality, it can also add to the overall mood of the photo. In urbex photography, the graininess can enhance the feeling of an old, haunted space, giving the photo a more atmospheric and textured appearance. A dirty shot can evoke a sense of mystery or nostalgia, making it a popular choice for capturing the essence of derelict locations.
Despite the appeal of dirty shots, it’s essential to balance the ISO setting with other factors such as shutter speed and aperture. Pushing the ISO too high can result in excessive noise that detracts from the sharpness and detail of the image. Therefore, it’s important to experiment with different settings and find the right balance for each specific location.
Essential Urbex Gear and Equipment: The Tools of Urban Exploration
Urban exploration (urbex) requires the right gear to ensure both safety and the ability to capture stunning photographs of abandoned, decaying spaces. Whether you're navigating dark tunnels, scaling rooftops, or exploring long-forgotten buildings, having the proper equipment is crucial for success. In this guide, we will explore the essential gear and equipment used by urban explorers to navigate through challenging environments while ensuring they can document their journey in high-quality images.
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: The Core of Urbex Photography
At the heart of urbex photography is the camera. A good camera allows explorers to capture the haunting beauty of abandoned spaces, highlighting the texture, lighting, and atmosphere that define these unique locations. DSLR cameras are the standard choice for most urbex photographers due to their excellent image quality, versatility, and ability to perform well in low-light conditions, which is often the case when exploring abandoned buildings or underground spaces.
DSLR cameras, such as those from Canon or Nikon, offer advanced settings for controlling exposure, focus, and depth of field, allowing urbex photographers to adapt to different environments. These cameras typically have interchangeable lenses, making them adaptable to various shooting conditions. For example, a wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing expansive interiors, while a macro lens may be used for detailed close-ups of textures like peeling paint or rusted metal.
In addition to DSLRs, mirrorless cameras have become increasingly popular in urban exploration photography. Brands like Sony’s Alpha series or Fujifilm offer high-quality mirrorless cameras that are compact and lightweight, making them a great alternative for those who prioritize portability. Mirrorless cameras feature impressive performance in low-light conditions, similar to DSLRs, but with the added benefit of being easier to carry around during long explorations. Whether you choose a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, both options offer outstanding flexibility for capturing the eerie and mysterious scenes found in urban exploration.
The key to effective urbex photography is using the right lenses, experimenting with settings, and understanding how to work with available light to get the best results. The versatility of both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras ensures that urbex photographers can adapt to various lighting situations, whether it’s the dim interior of a forgotten warehouse or the dramatic light streaming through broken windows.
High-Vis: Blending in While Staying Safe
One of the most important considerations for urbex photographers is safety. High-Vis gear, particularly fluorescent yellow vests, are essential for ensuring that the explorer is visible in environments where workers or other individuals may be present. High-visibility clothing is especially useful when exploring sites like industrial complexes, construction zones, or areas where there may be active workers nearby. It’s not just for safety but also helps in blending into the environment, reducing the chance of being noticed by security personnel.
In many urban exploration scenarios, the key to avoiding detection is blending in. High-Vis gear allows you to look like you belong at a location, especially in industrial areas where workers wear such clothing daily. The bright colors of the vest make it easier for others to spot you in potentially hazardous environments, such as areas with heavy machinery or low-light conditions.
However, wearing High-Vis gear also means that you should be cautious of where you explore while wearing it. In some locations, especially abandoned areas where trespassing is common, wearing a high-visibility vest could attract unwanted attention. Therefore, urban explorers often balance the use of high-visibility clothing with other techniques, like overt camouflage or more discreet clothing choices, depending on the environment and the level of security.
Overt Camouflage: Blending into the Environment
While safety is always a priority, urban explorers often need to blend into their surroundings in order to avoid detection by security or other individuals. Overt camouflage is a technique that involves dressing in a way that makes it look like you belong at the location, which helps you avoid standing out. This method is especially useful in areas where workers, maintenance crews, or other people may be present.
For example, an urbex photographer might wear clothing similar to that worn by staff or security in the area being explored, such as reflective jackets or high-visibility vests. The key to overt camouflage is to wear clothing that doesn’t draw attention, ensuring that you look like you are part of the legitimate team rather than someone trespassing. The more your appearance matches the environment, the less likely you are to be questioned by security or employees at the site.
Another form of overt camouflage is wearing construction worker clothing or industrial attire when exploring specific sites. If you're exploring an old factory, dressing as if you’re part of a repair crew can be an effective way to move through the space unnoticed. The goal is to make yourself blend into the scene, giving the impression that you belong and have a legitimate reason for being in the area. This allows for smoother exploration while minimizing the risk of detection.
While overt camouflage can help avoid suspicion, it’s important to remain cautious. Even if you look like you belong, remember that you are still trespassing in many cases. Always have an exit strategy and be prepared to leave quickly if necessary. Additionally, having the right gear, including a high-visibility vest and other camouflaging items, will ensure that you’re prepared for a variety of situations and environments.
Tripod: Stabilizing Your Shots for Maximum Clarity
In urban exploration photography, a tripod is an invaluable tool for capturing sharp, clear images in low-light conditions. Since many urbex locations are dark, using a tripod allows you to take long-exposure shots without the risk of camera shake. A tripod ensures that your camera remains steady during extended exposure times, resulting in photos with improved sharpness and clarity, even in dimly lit environments.
Long-exposure photography is a common technique in urbex photography, especially when capturing the eerie and atmospheric qualities of abandoned spaces. Whether you’re photographing a dusty hallway, a broken window letting in the light, or an intricate piece of decaying machinery, the tripod ensures that your photos remain crisp while still allowing for the use of slower shutter speeds.
When choosing a tripod for urbex photography, consider the weight and portability of the tripod. Urbex explorations often involve climbing, maneuvering through tight spaces, or navigating uneven terrain, so a lightweight and compact tripod is essential for easy transport. Carbon fiber tripods are often favored due to their balance of strength and lightness. A tripod with adjustable legs and a sturdy build will give you the flexibility to set up in various environments, from cramped, tight spots to high-rise rooftops.
Other Essential Urbex Gear
In addition to the core items mentioned above, several other pieces of gear are essential for urban explorers:
Flashlight/Torch: A high-quality flashlight is indispensable in dark and poorly lit areas. A powerful, durable flashlight with adjustable settings will help illuminate your surroundings while exploring abandoned buildings or underground tunnels.
Protective Clothing: Urban explorers often encounter hazardous environments with debris, sharp objects, or hazardous chemicals. Sturdy boots, gloves, and long-sleeve shirts provide protection from cuts, scrapes, and other injuries. It’s also a good idea to wear durable pants and clothing that can withstand the rough conditions typical of abandoned spaces.
First Aid Kit: A compact first aid kit is essential in case of minor injuries. It should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, and any other items needed for basic medical treatment. Since urbex can sometimes take you to remote or unsafe locations, it’s best to be prepared for emergencies.
Mobile Phone: A mobile phone serves as both a communication tool and an emergency backup in case of danger. It’s always a good idea to have a phone with a fully charged battery when exploring abandoned sites, especially if you’re working in isolated or risky environments.
Water and Snacks: Exploring can be physically demanding, so it’s important to stay hydrated and fueled. Carry a bottle of water and some energy snacks to keep you going during long exploration sessions.
Types of Urbex Photographers: Exploring the Various Niches of Urban Exploration
Urban exploration (urbex) is an adventurous pursuit that has drawn in a diverse community of photographers, each with their own unique niche and approach to documenting abandoned spaces. Whether scaling rooftops, venturing into forgotten asylums, or exploring underground catacombs, urbex photographers specialize in capturing the eerie, often haunting beauty of decaying and forgotten locations. These photographers not only document these spaces but also often contribute to the preservation of their stories through imagery. Below, we will explore the different types of urbex photographers, their specialties, and what makes each niche unique.
Prohobo: Urban Explorers Who Camp in Abandoned Spaces
A prohobo is an urbex photographer who takes urban exploration to the next level by camping in abandoned or derelict locations. The prohobo lifestyle involves using high-quality camping equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags, and portable stoves, to spend the night in places most would deem uninhabitable. This form of urbex photography combines the thrill of overnight exploration with the art of documenting forgotten spaces under the cover of night.
Prohobos often seek out remote, desolate, or hard-to-reach locations, where few other urban explorers venture. The challenge of spending the night in abandoned factories, schools, or asylums creates a unique opportunity for capturing images in extreme conditions—images that carry a certain raw, immersive quality. Camping out in abandoned sites allows prohobos to capture longer exposure shots without worrying about leaving or being discovered prematurely. Moreover, the eerie and sometimes unsettling experience of staying overnight in such environments can lead to photographs that are not only visually compelling but also emotionally charged.
Asylum Seeker: Masters of Abandoned Asylum Exploration
Asylum seekers are urban explorers who specialize in exploring abandoned asylums, which are among the most popular and historically significant locations in the urbex world. Abandoned asylums often carry a sense of mystery and history, making them ideal subjects for urbex photographers seeking to capture the eerie beauty of forgotten mental institutions. These locations are typically shrouded in rich historical narratives, with many having housed individuals who were marginalized or misunderstood by society at the time.
Exploring asylums is particularly challenging due to the dangerous and dilapidated conditions of the buildings. Many asylums have fallen into severe disrepair, with collapsed ceilings, unstable floors, and hazardous materials. Asylum seekers are typically skilled at navigating these high-risk environments while capturing photos that reflect the desolate atmosphere of the space. The haunting, abandoned hallways, rusting medical equipment, and decaying furniture found in these buildings offer ample opportunities for creating atmospheric shots that evoke a sense of time lost and lives forgotten.
Catophiles: Explorers of the Hidden Catacombs
Catophiles are urbex photographers who focus on exploring underground catacombs—the hidden burial sites beneath cities like Paris, Rome, and London. These catacombs, often dating back centuries, contain human remains and artifacts, offering urban explorers a glimpse into both the macabre and the historical past of urban spaces. Catophiles venture into these subterranean tunnels, seeking to document the eerie atmosphere and grim history embedded in these spaces.
Catophiles often face unique challenges, including navigating cramped, dark passageways, avoiding dangerous materials, and respecting local regulations. The lighting in these environments is typically poor, requiring catophiles to be proficient with their camera settings and use of external lighting to capture detailed shots. The images they capture often show intricate bone arrangements, ancient inscriptions, and the creepy symmetry of long-forgotten underground cemeteries.
Rooftopper: Photographers Who Scale Tall Buildings
A rooftopper is an urbex photographer who specializes in scaling the exteriors of tall buildings, such as skyscrapers, cranes, and other high structures. Rooftopping is one of the more extreme forms of urban exploration, as it requires the photographer to climb or scale the building, often without the aid of safety equipment. The goal is to reach the roof and capture breathtaking cityscapes from a high vantage point, offering a unique perspective of urban environments.
Rooftoppers are typically skilled in climbing techniques and often focus on the thrill of the ascent as much as the photography itself. The images taken by rooftoppers often feature stunning panoramic views of cities, especially during golden hour or at night when the city lights create a captivating backdrop. The contrast between the sheer height of the buildings and the sprawling urban environment below makes rooftopping photography particularly dramatic and visually striking.
Buildering: Climbing the Sides of Buildings
Buildering is the practice of climbing the exterior of buildings in urban environments. Unlike rooftoppers, buildering enthusiasts focus on gaining access to areas such as rooftops, ledge spaces, or hidden areas within the structure by climbing its walls. Buildering requires the use of rock-climbing techniques and often demands physical endurance and agility to reach precarious spots on a building’s exterior.
Buildering allows photographers to access unique angles and often results in images that showcase the building from unconventional perspectives. The act of climbing and documenting the structure brings an element of physicality to the exploration process, as well as a sense of achievement upon reaching difficult-to-access areas. The images captured by buildering photographers often show breathtaking architectural features, urban landscapes, and architectural details that would be impossible to document from the ground.
Drainer: Exploring Underground Sewers and Tunnels
A drainer is an urbex photographer who specializes in exploring underground sewer systems, drainage tunnels, and waterways. These subterranean spaces are often ignored or unknown to the public, but they offer a completely different perspective on urban environments. Exploring the underground network of a city presents a completely new set of challenges, from navigating dark, wet tunnels to dealing with unsanitary conditions. Drainers often venture through these claustrophobic spaces to capture photographs of the hidden, dark, and eerie parts of urban infrastructure.
Drainers often deal with high-risk environments, including flooded tunnels, raw sewage, and the potential for exposure to harmful chemicals. Despite these risks, the imagery captured in these environments is often striking—showing the intricate networks of pipes, decaying walls, and subterranean chambers that most people never see. The dark and gritty nature of drainer photography allows for the creation of powerful and atmospheric images, offering a glimpse into a side of the city that is both strange and mysterious.
Lift Surfer: Photographing From the Top of Elevators
A lift surfer is an urbex photographer who seeks to photograph from the top of elevators as they travel through buildings. The technique involves riding the elevator in an unconventional manner, often by standing on top of the lift car while it moves. Lift surfers use this unique position to capture dramatic shots from high vantage points, often showcasing architectural details, open spaces, or glimpses of the interior of buildings as the elevator ascends or descends.
Lift surfing is particularly dangerous and requires a high level of skill to safely execute. The risk of injury, falling, or being detected by security is high, making it a daring pursuit. The resulting photographs, however, offer a rare view of the building from a perspective that most people never experience. The challenge and thrill of lift surfing make it a niche within the urbex community.
Ninja: Stealthy Explorers Who Avoid Detection
A ninja in the urbex community refers to an explorer who excels at stealth and avoiding detection. Ninjas are adept at sneaking into locations unnoticed, often relying on their ability to move quietly and efficiently through spaces. They use agility and stealth to bypass security measures, avoid detection by employees or security guards, and explore abandoned spaces without being caught.
Ninjas are often skilled in climbing, sneaking, and using disguise techniques to blend into their surroundings. Their goal is to document the exploration without drawing attention, often using quick, subtle movements and avoiding any direct confrontation. Their photographs tend to focus on the hidden corners of abandoned spaces, capturing raw, unguarded moments in urban decay.
Noob: A Beginner in Urban Exploration Photography
A noob is a beginner to the urbex scene, someone who is just starting their journey into the world of urban exploration and photography. Noobs often lack the experience and knowledge of seasoned explorers but are eager to learn the techniques and nuances of urbex photography. They might make common mistakes or need guidance, but they bring fresh enthusiasm and excitement to the community.
For a noob, the focus is often on learning the ropes, such as proper safety measures, basic camera settings, and understanding how to navigate abandoned spaces without drawing attention. Noobs typically start with less risky locations and gradually progress as they build their skills and experience.
Trojan Horse: Gaining Access Undercover
A trojan horse is an urban explorer who gains access to a location by disguising themselves in a way that allows them to blend in with the staff or employees of the site. This technique involves wearing clothing that makes it appear as though the explorer belongs there, such as a reflective jacket, work uniform, or security apparel. The idea is to avoid suspicion and move through the site unnoticed.
This approach is particularly useful in locations where security personnel might stop individuals who seem out of place. The Trojan horse technique allows the explorer to gain access to a building, and later, they might let others in once the site has been infiltrated. It’s a strategic method of urban exploration, often used when other access routes are not feasible.
General Urbex Exploration Terms
Back Cabbing: Refers to riding at the rear of a train to increase the chances of finding an empty car, offering more opportunities for photography.
Base Jumping: Involves scaling rooftops and jumping with a parachute, a dangerous and extreme activity that overlaps with urban exploration.
Bait: A technique in which a person creates a distraction to divert the attention of security guards, allowing others to sneak into a restricted area.
Blagging: Using persuasion or deception to gain access to a location by pretending to be an official or authorized individual.
The Bill: A slang term for the police force, often used by urban explorers when discussing potential encounters with law enforcement.
Christmas: A term used to describe a period when a restricted or difficult-to-access site becomes easier to enter due to unguarded conditions, often during holidays or staff absences.
Masking Up: The act of wearing a mask to avoid detection by security cameras or authorities when entering a restricted location.
Usufruct: A legal term that allows someone to use another person’s property as long as no damage is done and nothing is disturbed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urbex Photography
What is Urban Exploration Photography?
Urban exploration photography, often called urbex photography, is the art of capturing images of abandoned or restricted locations, such as dilapidated buildings, underground tunnels, or deserted factories. These photos often evoke a sense of mystery and decay, showcasing the haunting beauty of forgotten spaces.
How Do You Photograph Abandoned Buildings?
To photograph abandoned buildings, it's crucial to prioritize safety. The structures may be unstable with deteriorating floors, which poses a risk to the photographer. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scope of the location, focusing on the textures, light, and history embedded in the building.
What Do I Need for Urban Exploration?
Essential urbex gear includes a camera, tripod, flash, protective clothing (such as sturdy boots, gloves, and long sleeves), and flashlight. A torch and a mobile phone are essential for safety, and a wide aperture lens will be useful for shooting in low-light environments.
Is Exploring Abandoned Places Illegal?
While abandoned places may appear uninhabited, they are often still privately owned. Entering without permission is considered trespassing, which is illegal in many regions. For legal exploration, seek permission from the property owner or the relevant authorities.
Conclusion
Urban exploration photography is a captivating and adventurous way to document the remnants of our urban landscape. Whether you’re exploring abandoned hospitals, capturing dramatic rooftops, or venturing into underground catacombs, understanding the terminology, photography techniques, and essential gear is crucial for a successful urbex adventure. With the right preparation, you can safely explore and document these fascinating, often hidden places, creating stunning images that tell the stories of forgotten spaces.
