What’s Your Preference?

Izzy · #21 (**permalink**) 07-02-2011, 06:44 PM

For those are actually interested in shooting this topic as a whole here are a few things to get you going. The books are all ones I have. I love them

Amazon.com: Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration (9780811863384): Troy Paiva, Geoff Manaugh: Books

The author of this book is deceased

Infiltration: Access All Areas

This book is absolutely awesome. With any luck it may inspire you.

Beauty in Decay: The Art of Urban Exploration [Book]

Website:
Beauty of Decay: when artists meet decay, a selection of the best photographs!

Might want to check with your libraries to see if they have them to preview rather than just take my word for it.

BrianD · #22 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy

It is people like you who pave the way for thieves and vandals who destroy a location. It is then you who is the thief and vandal for aiding and abetting these vandals and thieves. We in the urbex community thank you for your sanctimonious attitude and your overall ignorance.

I find it hard to believe that copper vandals and kids with spray paint are searching flickr feeds on where to hit, instead of saying, "hey, you know that old building down the street? Let's go spray paint it"

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcoppock

One place I saw online and really wanted to visit in New Orleans is the abandoned Six Flags, but it's as you said, it's crawling with security guards and such due to all the vandalism now. People really do suck, to put it lightly.

Advice: Show up in a suit, tell on duty guards that you're taking some pics for "someone at the main office" (your house?), and seem pissed off that you have to be there. They'll probably drive you around in a golf cart showing you the most dilapidated stuff.

If they try to call your bluff, just say "don't worry about it - I didn't want to be out here anyway' - which may be enough for them to believe you the second time around.

Remember - suits lie.

Izzy · #23 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

I find it hard to believe that copper vandals and kids with spray paint are searching flickr feeds on where to hit, instead of saying, "hey, you know that old building down the street? Let's go spray paint it"

Advice: Show up in a suit, tell on duty guards that you're taking some pics for "someone at the main office" (your house?), and seem pissed off that you have to be there. They'll probably drive you around in a golf cart showing you the most dilapidated stuff.

If they try to call your bluff, just say "don't worry about it - I didn't want to be out here anyway' - which may be enough for them to believe you the second time around.

Remember - suits lie.

They use every resource available to them. These copper heists are usually carefully planned. There are many times the local law enforcement gets sick of these copper thieves and has taken a SWAT team out to scare the sh!t out of them on occasion.

As for the graffiti, most artists (taggers) are not kids. They are guys in their late teens and early twenties. Watch "Exit Through The Gift Shop" and you will learn something about this group. I know I learned tons. Also I am not saying all of these guys are like these guys.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

They are as serious about their stuff as we are about photography and they are all about not getting caught. - Anyway I digress in a big way.

Your suits idea is interesting enough. It is something that is actually done from time to time. When a person works hard to fit in and dress the part and get in without credentials this is called infiltration. "Catch me if you can" was based on this. People you pass in your office building just might be one of these people.

While I wont dress in a suit I do have hard hat and respirator and orange safety vest ( yes orange - who sneaks around wearing orange LOL). Anyway it is effective to look like an inspector of some sort. They figure you to be important so they dont bother to call the authorities. BUT if they do and you get caught with your get up you will have some real explaining to do

At that point it might be a good idea to just come clean then.

kcoppock · #24 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

Advice: Show up in a suit, tell on duty guards that you're taking some pics for "someone at the main office" (your house?), and seem pissed off that you have to be there. They'll probably drive you around in a golf cart showing you the most dilapidated stuff.

If they try to call your bluff, just say "don't worry about it - I didn't want to be out here anyway' - which may be enough for them to believe you the second time around.

Remember - suits lie.

Haha, I like that idea. That would probably be effective 99% of the time...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy

BUT if they do and you get caught with your get up you will have some real explaining to do

At that point it might be a good idea to just come clean then.

...but THAT'S when you get in the real trouble.

BrianD · #25 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 03:52 PM

I walked straight through the VIP entrance of an NBA game with a nod from security. I had credentials (hidden in my pocket) and was supposed to be there - but they just assume anyone wearing a suit to a basketball game is supposed to be there and is probably above their paygrade.

UlpilotSC · #26 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 09:12 PM

As a Geocacher....the idea of NOT publishing a great location goes against what I know. It is in fact, a basic ingredient of the game. I wonder how many great "unexplored" urbex locations you might have photographed already have a cache or two hidden somewhere.
But, I understand your reluctance to publish your sites. Either way, have fun!

rosserx · #27 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy

For those are actually interested in shooting this topic as a whole here are a few things to get you going. The books are all ones I have. I love them

Amazon.com: Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration (9780811863384): Troy Paiva, Geoff Manaugh: Books

The author of this book is deceased

Infiltration: Access All Areas

This book is absolutely awesome. With any luck it may inspire you.

Beauty in Decay: The Art of Urban Exploration [Book]

Website:
Beauty of Decay: when artists meet decay, a selection of the best photographs!

Might want to check with your libraries to see if they have them to preview rather than just take my word for it.

You might be interested in one of our local photog's work here. He's a true inspiration to the genre. Jeffrey Stockbridge
Jeff does his "urbexing" with a large format 4x5 sheet film camera. And he's been doing it since 2005!

lunathea · #28 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy

They use every resource available to them. These copper heists are usually carefully planned. There are many times the local law enforcement gets sick of these copper thieves and has taken a SWAT team out to scare the sh!t out of them on occasion.

As for the graffiti, most artists (taggers) are not kids. They are guys in their late teens and early twenties. Watch "Exit Through The Gift Shop" and you will learn something about this group. I know I learned tons. Also I am not saying all of these guys are like these guys.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

They are as serious about their stuff as we are about photography and they are all about not getting caught. - Anyway I digress in a big way.

Your suits idea is interesting enough. It is something that is actually done from time to time. When a person works hard to fit in and dress the part and get in without credentials this is called infiltration. "Catch me if you can" was based on this. People you pass in your office building just might be one of these people.

While I wont dress in a suit I do have hard hat and respirator and orange safety vest ( yes orange - who sneaks around wearing orange LOL). Anyway it is effective to look like an inspector of some sort. They figure you to be important so they dont bother to call the authorities. BUT if they do and you get caught with your get up you will have some real explaining to do

At that point it might be a good idea to just come clean then.

Derailing a bit but Exit Through the Gift Shop is a great documentary imo. Banksy's stuff is incredible!