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Strange beauty: The photographers capturing urban decay Strange beauty: The photographers capturing urban decay
(about 11 hours later)
Photographers with an eye for decay are venturing into derelict buildings in the name of "urban exploration". But who are these intrepid hobbyists and why do they put themselves in danger for the sake of a picture?Photographers with an eye for decay are venturing into derelict buildings in the name of "urban exploration". But who are these intrepid hobbyists and why do they put themselves in danger for the sake of a picture?
It takes some imagination to look at a derelict building and see beauty in its broken windows and rotten floorboards.It takes some imagination to look at a derelict building and see beauty in its broken windows and rotten floorboards.
But for a group of daredevils known as "urban explorers", it's exactly this level of decay that attracts them to the likes of abandoned hospitals, factories and mills.But for a group of daredevils known as "urban explorers", it's exactly this level of decay that attracts them to the likes of abandoned hospitals, factories and mills.
"Urbexing" is carried out all over the world by those hoping to capture crumbling relics on film before they completely disappear."Urbexing" is carried out all over the world by those hoping to capture crumbling relics on film before they completely disappear.
Though some members still have their limits - "I'm not up for sewers," quipped one - nowhere is out of bounds.Though some members still have their limits - "I'm not up for sewers," quipped one - nowhere is out of bounds.
But what's the appeal in visiting these neglected sites?But what's the appeal in visiting these neglected sites?
"I like the peace and quiet, the sense of history," said one explorer, who asked to be called "Dan"."I like the peace and quiet, the sense of history," said one explorer, who asked to be called "Dan".
"Getting into places that are no longer used, you're away from the humdrum of society and can slow down and get a feeling of what's gone before.""Getting into places that are no longer used, you're away from the humdrum of society and can slow down and get a feeling of what's gone before."
Another, known as Urbex South England, described it as a "calling".Another, known as Urbex South England, described it as a "calling".
"I love to see places that tell a story and are pretty much left as the day they were abandoned and nature has started to take over," they added."I love to see places that tell a story and are pretty much left as the day they were abandoned and nature has started to take over," they added.
For "Mexico75", it's a lifelong habit which became almost a full-time pastime.For "Mexico75", it's a lifelong habit which became almost a full-time pastime.
"I've been exploring as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I was always fascinated with abandoned buildings and ruins and took any opportunity to sneak in to places I shouldn't be," he said."I've been exploring as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I was always fascinated with abandoned buildings and ruins and took any opportunity to sneak in to places I shouldn't be," he said.
"My family were keen walkers and we'd holiday in places like Wales and Cornwall so while they were taking in the views I'd be disappearing down old mine [shafts] and into ruined engine houses."My family were keen walkers and we'd holiday in places like Wales and Cornwall so while they were taking in the views I'd be disappearing down old mine [shafts] and into ruined engine houses.
"Then a few years ago I stumbled across an internet forum and found that other people had the same sort of interests and that's when it became more of a hobby.""Then a few years ago I stumbled across an internet forum and found that other people had the same sort of interests and that's when it became more of a hobby."
One of the main draws for explorers is the kudos that comes from posting travelogues and photographic essays about their excursions on internet forums, said Luke Bennett, lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.One of the main draws for explorers is the kudos that comes from posting travelogues and photographic essays about their excursions on internet forums, said Luke Bennett, lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Certainly, it's these kind of accounts which, however unwisely, have inspired others to take part in the activity, by offering a glimpse into a world the average person would never dare chance exploring themselves.Certainly, it's these kind of accounts which, however unwisely, have inspired others to take part in the activity, by offering a glimpse into a world the average person would never dare chance exploring themselves.
"Chris" became interested in the activity after seeing pictures on one such website of Chernobyl and Prypiat - abandoned cities in Ukraine."Chris" became interested in the activity after seeing pictures on one such website of Chernobyl and Prypiat - abandoned cities in Ukraine.
His attitude to going on expeditions is pretty relaxed; he "wanders" into hospitals and "potters" around mills, but the dangers of poking around crumbling buildings are not lost on him.His attitude to going on expeditions is pretty relaxed; he "wanders" into hospitals and "potters" around mills, but the dangers of poking around crumbling buildings are not lost on him.
"You have to keep your wits about you and [ask yourself] is that floor totally rotten? if the answer is yes, just don't do it," he said."You have to keep your wits about you and [ask yourself] is that floor totally rotten? if the answer is yes, just don't do it," he said.
"I find it comes down to knowing your limits and not rushing.""I find it comes down to knowing your limits and not rushing."
"It can be dangerous," warned Dan. "I have fallen through floors twice - once was a ground floor and once on [a flight of] stairs."It can be dangerous," warned Dan. "I have fallen through floors twice - once was a ground floor and once on [a flight of] stairs.
"Luckily, I was fine, but it makes you think.""Luckily, I was fine, but it makes you think."
What can make urbexing even more dangerous is when explorers venture into buildings that might still be operational, said Mr Bennett, who specialises in industrial property safety. What can make urbexing even more dangerous is when explorers venture into buildings that might still be operational, said Dr Bennett, who specialises in industrial property safety.
Even more concerning, he added, is the effect of trespassing on landowners and security staff.Even more concerning, he added, is the effect of trespassing on landowners and security staff.
"There's an under-appreciation of the knock-on effects and ethical complications of going into live systems like subways and operational buildings."There's an under-appreciation of the knock-on effects and ethical complications of going into live systems like subways and operational buildings.
"Security guards work terrible hours for minimum wage and are fearful of organised gangs like metal thieves."Security guards work terrible hours for minimum wage and are fearful of organised gangs like metal thieves.
"The last thing they need is people who, as far as they're able to tell, aren't there for calm, aesthetic reasons, but could be there to steal what's left of value.""The last thing they need is people who, as far as they're able to tell, aren't there for calm, aesthetic reasons, but could be there to steal what's left of value."
One urbexer said he had been caught a number of times by security guards who were "relieved it was only a couple of chaps with cameras".One urbexer said he had been caught a number of times by security guards who were "relieved it was only a couple of chaps with cameras".
But while danger and nuisance are relatively minor side-effects of urbexing, each expedition has the potential for far worse consequences in the form of legal repercussions.But while danger and nuisance are relatively minor side-effects of urbexing, each expedition has the potential for far worse consequences in the form of legal repercussions.
While not a criminal offence, trespass on private land constitutes a civil wrong for which offenders can be sued.While not a criminal offence, trespass on private land constitutes a civil wrong for which offenders can be sued.
Additionally, if someone is caught and convicted of aggravated trespass, they can face up to three months in prison or a fine.Additionally, if someone is caught and convicted of aggravated trespass, they can face up to three months in prison or a fine.
The majority of explorers are cautious and stick to their philosophy - "take only photos, leave only footprints" - entering only if it is easy to do so and doing nothing to disrupt the site.The majority of explorers are cautious and stick to their philosophy - "take only photos, leave only footprints" - entering only if it is easy to do so and doing nothing to disrupt the site.
"I was a detective constable so I know the law and don't overstep it," said Dan. "No damage is caused and I have no criminal intent [so] I can argue my point if needed."I was a detective constable so I know the law and don't overstep it," said Dan. "No damage is caused and I have no criminal intent [so] I can argue my point if needed.
"Yes it's trespass, but the police don't have time to deal with… civil infringements.""Yes it's trespass, but the police don't have time to deal with… civil infringements."
But there is still an attitude among some that any site is "fair game".But there is still an attitude among some that any site is "fair game".
"The sites won't explore themselves and it gives a tangible sense of history and heritage in a way that learning through other mediums cannot," said one anonymous explorer."The sites won't explore themselves and it gives a tangible sense of history and heritage in a way that learning through other mediums cannot," said one anonymous explorer.
"But I don't like the view that some explorers have that it's 'only trespass.' Despite not being a criminal offence, it is unlawful.""But I don't like the view that some explorers have that it's 'only trespass.' Despite not being a criminal offence, it is unlawful."
The rules on trespassThe rules on trespass
Source: Crown Prosecution Service/The Sentencing CouncilSource: Crown Prosecution Service/The Sentencing Council
Save Britain's Heritage said while it does not wholly support the activity, photographs taken by urbexers have helped highlight the importance of preservation work.Save Britain's Heritage said while it does not wholly support the activity, photographs taken by urbexers have helped highlight the importance of preservation work.
"The sites targeted are often of historic or architectural significance, and unlawfully entering places them at risk of getting damaged [and] can place considerable strain on the buildings," said caseworker Mike Fox."The sites targeted are often of historic or architectural significance, and unlawfully entering places them at risk of getting damaged [and] can place considerable strain on the buildings," said caseworker Mike Fox.
"The flipside is [it] can become a useful tool in raising awareness about threatened heritage buildings, bringing their plight to a wider audience, which might otherwise have gone unknown... so their actions are not without value.""The flipside is [it] can become a useful tool in raising awareness about threatened heritage buildings, bringing their plight to a wider audience, which might otherwise have gone unknown... so their actions are not without value."
Opinion in the urbex community is divided on whether they play a part in creating a lasting legacy.Opinion in the urbex community is divided on whether they play a part in creating a lasting legacy.
"I don't think there is an importance to exploring these places. The whole documenting for [the sake of] history bit seems like romanticism," said one."I don't think there is an importance to exploring these places. The whole documenting for [the sake of] history bit seems like romanticism," said one.
But for many more it's exactly this sentimentality that drives them to continue entering these often unsafe structures.But for many more it's exactly this sentimentality that drives them to continue entering these often unsafe structures.
"Many sites are simply falling into total and utter disrepair and explorers can capture the last moments before its bulldozed," said Dan."Many sites are simply falling into total and utter disrepair and explorers can capture the last moments before its bulldozed," said Dan.
"I like seeing the often strange beauty which is about to be lost forever.""I like seeing the often strange beauty which is about to be lost forever."