urban exploration

jonathan_ed

jonathan_ed

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Jonathan
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Hi all.

Looking for a few pointers really. i have heard of and looked a little into urban exploration. I knw there are (well don't know specific locations, like how to get into etc) places around me, like blackburn hospital, munition factory sites etc.

I was wondering, has anyone done any of this and if you have any pointers? Like how do you get into most sites, as iw ould assume some of them are actually locked up etc. Do you actually have to break in?

I don't know if i'd actually ever get into it as obviously there is a safety issue, and going alone into such locations may be a little risky, and no one i know is actually into photography...so maybe one to just keep in mind for the future.

Any pointers, tips, info helpful.
 
Have a look for a forum called '28 days later' they are urbex based, loads of locations and you may find afew people in your area. some great photography on there too.
 
Hi Jonathan,

I've done a fair few explorations in my time! You can see a few results here, if you're interested:
http://www.summersound.co.uk/urban

First of all, please don't go on your own! It really is not the safest hobby and going alone would be really unwise. It's not uncommon to come across fairly unsavoury characters and the buildings themselves are often quite dangerous. If you slip/fall and you're on your own - you're in bother!

In terms of getting in - I am not prepared to cause any damage myself. I know a lot of people will happily break windows, remove panels etc. but I really don't like the idea of causing criminal damage. I'll only ever enter if the place has an opening (and the people I explore with feel the same way). This sometimes leads to a wasted trip but I usually find that someone has created an entrance for us!

You really want to wear clothes that you don't mind getting ruined and you definitely want some good boots. There's almost always broken glass and there's sometimes used needles, so the boots are essential.

Basically, my advice is to have a go but be careful! Look out for asbestos, needles, unstable floors etc and take it steady (especially at a new venue!). It can be a real buzz though and you can get some great images.

The following forums are really useful. You might like to search for the venues that you have in mind and see if anyone has been before. This can help you to get a feel for the location and can often give useful safety advice. (I was planning a trip once until I read on a forum that oxygen masks are required because the place is full of asbestos!!)

http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/index.php

I hope this is helpful.
 
Yes most helpful thanks.

I have taken a look on 28 days later and another northwest urbex site. Not really much help unless i sign up...may have to do that obviously lol.

I know about dangers of asbestos and pigeon crap etc being a council surveyor.

I understand the kinds of things and people i would be likely to find, hence i have never done anything myself yet.

Thanks for the help though, i appreciate it!
 
I'd like to take this oppertunity to shameless plug my own site...:p

www.urbanxphotography.co.uk/urbex

Not my proudest photography, but the best experiences I've had in my life!


I try and give complete accounts of the places, as well as the photo's - Enjoy :D
 
cheers phil, thats the one i had actually found and had a look round. there was actually some photos of bunkers / shelter less than a mile away.....but still none the wiser as to where they are without specific direction haha
 
Very very very sensitive subject - urbex shouldn't require or condone the use of breaking in but at the end of the day each individual has their own morals. Some people think it's okay to use crowbars to break off chains or locks and others (from what I gather, the majority) will only go as far as opening doors which are already ajar and unlocked, or perhaps using keys that you may find onsite. I once got into a heated debate with a member here who said some not very nice things and basically tried to claim that urbexers (including myself) used force to get into whatever buildings they did. Unfortunately, much like the police, they fail to understand that a hell of a lot of places like these are actually very easy to get into, you just have to know where to look, and oftentimes you really have to see it to believe it.

there seems to be two general rules in urbex;

the first is "take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints" and the second is "wait a few weeks for the thiefs to break an entrance for you".

The bottom line is, urbex is dangerous. Take another person with you (I have done solo urbex when I first got into it, mainly because the urbex community are very close knit, and won't welcome anyone with open arms unless they can prove they've been to places themselves) as you could fall or get trapped. Conditions in some urbex locations are quite bad, dusty, and perhaps very damp. You'd better hope you have a good camera bag (this is also one of the reasons I spent a good bit of money on weather sealed camera and lens) and if you feel the need, face masks.

Expect to get caught by the police eventually - it can and does happen, and since most officers don't understand the idea of urbex, I wouldn't try explaining it in depth to them, except that you were there to take photographs. In the best case, you'll be let off scot free for trespass, in the worst case they'll arrest you for burglary or similar - yes, they throw the book at you.

All in all, just be careful, keep your wits about you. take plenty of food and drink, let someone know you're going to be away and for roughly how long, take some money along with you too for transport etc. and more importantly i would advise taking a friend.

I actually haven't done much exploring myself apart from two major sites near me and more smaller places - I hope to get back into it once the nights start getting longer. It's a very thrilling hobby and combined with photography it can be very rewarding.
 
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Almost what he said!
I don't think that MOST urbexers would use force, I think the majority are better than that.

I was arrested thrice in three months last year! (never charged)
 
urbanx said:
Almost what he said!
I don't think that MOST urbexers would use force, I think the majority are better than that.

I was arrested thrice in three months last year! (never charged)
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indeed, i'd say 90+% of urbexers condone no force at all - but there are always some who do and that's why "we" have a bad reputation.


SummerSound said:
Is pigeon poo dangerous?! One of the places I regularly visit is swimming in it!
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same case for one of the places I used to go to regularly (I'm all visited out for now) and yes, it can be bad for your respiratory system. Only long term if you breathe in a LOT of it though.
 
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I;d love to do urbex stuff, but im too much of a scaredy cat to actually do anything! closest ive got to is Porth Wen in anglesey (which is open if your prepared to walk to it anyway)
 
Li, i have just ahd a look at your trip to pipyat, it loos awesome! The thought of the amount of radiation, especially by the ferris wheel scares the hell out of me though!
 
jonathan_ed said:
Li, i have just ahd a look at your trip to pipyat, it loos awesome! The thought of the amount of radiation, especially by the ferris wheel scares the hell out of me though!
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Cheers! It's considered one of the few 'Holy grails' of urbex, although the set of risks there are a different kettle of fish!

"You're not going back there and sitting on any benches until you've given me at least one child" - Mrs UrbanX
 
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I do a bit, but most of the time dont actually take a camera :suspect: as said I wont break in or damage anything to get in, getting in can take a bit of creativeness which can be fun :D. luckily I havent ran into anyone yet but always take someone with me as there is still the risk of someone not taking lightly to you being there.
 
yeagh, i watched a documentary a few months back about the untold truth about the disater and the aftermath of the whole hting. I felt so sorry for all the russian conscrpits they brought in to clear the roof of the reactor buildings surrouding it which were covered with graphite from the reactor.

And, from the photos, the wheel and pool, it was like seeing call of duty modern warfare in a pohotograph lol
 
jonathan_ed said:
yeagh, i watched a documentary a few months back about the untold truth about the disater and the aftermath of the whole hting. I felt so sorry for all the russian conscrpits they brought in to clear the roof of the reactor buildings surrouding it which were covered with graphite from the reactor.
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Our guide showed that documentary on the drive from Kiev to Pripyat. One man who had travelled from London, instantly changed his mind, paid his money and got out...
 
jonathan_ed said:
And, from the photos, the wheel and pool, it was like seeing call of duty modern warfare in a pohotograph lol
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Yup I thought that too when I saw the pictures and read the blog :lol:

Brilliant read though :thumbs:
 
definately so fascinating. I once saw an article on it in national geographic and they had photos inside the control room.....so eerie! also with regards to the animals, there was loads of shots of the wild horses roaming the streets.

I think i'd have to be weaing a lead codpiece if made the journey haha!
 
My UK 'fixer' went INSIDE the reactor hall last month :cuckoo:

They evacuate most of 'the zone' when they let groups (under 5 people) in as a precaution.

I've heard it's about a £30k wedge to experience it.
 
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urbanx, on your article about the visit to pripyat, there is a photograph of a wall with three silhouettes on it. Have they been spraypainted or was that one of the long lasting effects of the disaster?
 
trencheel303 said:
urbanx, on your article about the visit to pripyat, there is a photograph of a wall with three silhouettes on it. Have they been spraypainted or was that one of the long lasting effects of the disaster?
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They were sprayed on after. There has been a few bits of vandalism despite the zone being militarised, and only small groups being allowed. The group limit has been slashed this year from 46 to 16 in light of a painting in the culture palace being destroyed.

Sillohettes were burnt onto walls at hiroshima, which is what you may have been thinking of...
 
ah right yes, sorry, was getting confused with hiroshima.

Aside from travel costs, how much does the actual tour of Pripyat cost? I am presuming it isn't cheap. It's something I would love to do one day but the risks do frighten me.
 
trencheel303 said:
ah right yes, sorry, was getting confused with hiroshima.

Aside from travel costs, how much does the actual tour of Pripyat cost? I am presuming it isn't cheap. It's something I would love to do one day but the risks do frighten me.
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It varies wildly, you could pay 1/10th of what I paid, or you could pay 10 times the amount!
As the limit of people has dropped from 46 to 16 per day, some of the government officials who tak you round have tripled their rate in order to make the same money per tour.

It's also 'prohibited to enter any buildings in Pripyat - we paid about £600 to make that law go away. :razz:
 
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