You may have heard the term "Urbex" whilst browsing Facebook or Google and wondered what it is.
I discovered Urbexing purely by accident whilst, out of boredom, I was browsing images on google looking for inspiration, something new and different to shoot with my camera.
Among the menagerie of articles I read about Night photography, wildlife, light painting etc I came across a local photographer who's name escapes me at the moment, but the images on his website were what caught my attention.
Among dust covered units, cobweb encrusted books and rusting vehicles this man had captured something disturbingly beautiful, an art form that creates beauty from decay and ruin.
Of course I had to find out more and so I began researching Urban Exploration, it seems it began mostly in the USA and Japan then spread across to Europe and Britain, however do not quote me on that one as it was a long time ago and my memory isn't what it used to be so I may be recalling it incorrectly.
To begin Urban Exploring all one needs is a camera, flash, tripod, a torch and sturdy footwear and a bit of courage to potentially break the law.
Some would call it trespassing, Security guards may be present and be prepared to be arrested by the Police if caught.
Personally I tend to seek out places which I know either have no security or that I can gain access to easily, often I will try to find out who owns the property and gain permission or will shoot from a public access rather than entering a property.
Others will break into a location and explore the inside fully, and in the process often take much better shots than I get.
I am not going to break copyright by sharing others images, just search for "Urbex" "Urban Exploring" or even visit my Facebook group Urbex Yorkshire and view some of my own and our members images.
There are some unwritten rules to Urban Exploration, the first and foremost being "Take nothing but photo's and leave nothing but footprints" in layman terms.... many properties which have been abandoned still hold the previous owners possessions, and we like to leave a place as we find it, this means no stealing items left behind.
Trespass at your own risk, as I mentioned earlier personally I try not to trespass onto a property but many places can only be accessed illegally so be cautious and do not damage any part of the property.
Enjoy, the reason for Urban Exploration is enjoyment, as all photographers know, the taking of an image is a personal thing, we choose our frame and lighting to create what either our own eye sees or what we envision in our mind and that is part of the enjoyment to create a mind capturing image.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
The World at war
I tend to try and avoid writing about political matters but with the recent activity and killings across the globe, and at the risk of "jumping on the bandwagon" I thought it time I wrote something about what is happening with the world today.
Before I begin with my rant (or is it an observation?) I recall many years ago finding myself with an interest in the Occult, Tarot reading, Demonology and Witchcraft were all on the menu, not a phase that lasted long I will admit.
It was during this time of my youth that I read about a prophet named Nostradamus, many will have heard of him if not read or seen documentaries about his prophecies, there was one translation which caught my attention.
As it was so long ago and it is quite late (2:17 AM) I can not recall the exact text but it said something about a war beginning in the latter end of the 20th Century in the East and this being the beginning of the end of the world.
Now I don't wish to alarm anyone and I am in no way a conspiracy theorist or a religious person but I have to admit old Nostra was right so it seems.
This aside, what happened in Paris on Friday the 13th November 2015 can not be put into words, I watched it live on Sky news and spent hours the next few days reading and listening teary eyed to interviews with the survivors about the horrors they witnessed.
Many of those who lost their lives were just kids, no older than my own eldest Two, out for what they thought was just a good gig watching The Eagles of Death Metal, I can only begin to imagine how scared these kids were when the bullets began to fly.
The bravery of those who survived and have to live with the sight of all that blood in their memories is admirable to say the least.
Now comes the part where fingers are pointed and blame is cast upon the innocent.
The media had waged war before it has even begun, this however is not a war between the East and West as Nostradamus predicted this is a war devised to divide the country, those who are more than happy to believe the propaganda that papers such as the "Sun" print and those of us who want nothing more than to live in harmony with all creeds and religions.
What I have viewed on Facebook over the last few days since the killings in Paris boils down to
segregation, people flaunting their views and opinions, some of my own friends have posted what could be considered racist or hate mongering posts whereas others have posted about peace and unity.
Unfortunately every man, woman and dog/cat has an opinion, the events of Friday the 13th seem to
have separated our communities, I have seen posts where people say "how do we tell the difference between a Muslim and a Muslim terrorist" people are looking at every person of a different skin colour or faith and putting them in the same category as ALL Terrorists, my answer to this one is, Joe Bloggs from number 22 could be a mass murderer or rapist, the fact is you can not tell by looking at a person no matter their creed what their beliefs are or what their intentions are.
The fear that is being instilled into us by the media along with hatred and distrust in fellow human beings is the spark to the flame, do you smell that? in the air, the faint tint of death drifting through the wind a smell which, if the segregation of British people continues will become stronger.
These will be deaths of your brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, is this what you want? does the world really need this? did we learn nothing from the sacrifice of our grandfathers and great grand fathers, yes Isis needs to be stopped as do all terrorist groups but if war is coming we should stand together, neighbor helping neighbor despite their background or origin.
This brings me to my good friend Malcolm Shipman the Landlord of a popular local Wakefield Rock music venue called The Snooty Fox.
Malcolm was touched so much by the atrocity of what is happening through out the world that he is arranging several events at The Snooty Fox over the coming months to raise cash for the families of the victims of Terrorism below is the video he has shot announcing them, he will also be offering Live Stream events as Pay per view for those who can not make it to the venue.
Please support Malcolm with this venture by sharing the video below and perhaps attending one of the gigs or watching the pay per live view.
Click the link below to view the video.
https://www.facebook.com/malcolm.shipman.3/videos/1093246704049523/?pnref=story
Before I begin with my rant (or is it an observation?) I recall many years ago finding myself with an interest in the Occult, Tarot reading, Demonology and Witchcraft were all on the menu, not a phase that lasted long I will admit.
It was during this time of my youth that I read about a prophet named Nostradamus, many will have heard of him if not read or seen documentaries about his prophecies, there was one translation which caught my attention.
As it was so long ago and it is quite late (2:17 AM) I can not recall the exact text but it said something about a war beginning in the latter end of the 20th Century in the East and this being the beginning of the end of the world.
Now I don't wish to alarm anyone and I am in no way a conspiracy theorist or a religious person but I have to admit old Nostra was right so it seems.
This aside, what happened in Paris on Friday the 13th November 2015 can not be put into words, I watched it live on Sky news and spent hours the next few days reading and listening teary eyed to interviews with the survivors about the horrors they witnessed.
Many of those who lost their lives were just kids, no older than my own eldest Two, out for what they thought was just a good gig watching The Eagles of Death Metal, I can only begin to imagine how scared these kids were when the bullets began to fly.
The bravery of those who survived and have to live with the sight of all that blood in their memories is admirable to say the least.
Now comes the part where fingers are pointed and blame is cast upon the innocent.
The media had waged war before it has even begun, this however is not a war between the East and West as Nostradamus predicted this is a war devised to divide the country, those who are more than happy to believe the propaganda that papers such as the "Sun" print and those of us who want nothing more than to live in harmony with all creeds and religions.
What I have viewed on Facebook over the last few days since the killings in Paris boils down to
segregation, people flaunting their views and opinions, some of my own friends have posted what could be considered racist or hate mongering posts whereas others have posted about peace and unity.
Unfortunately every man, woman and dog/cat has an opinion, the events of Friday the 13th seem to
have separated our communities, I have seen posts where people say "how do we tell the difference between a Muslim and a Muslim terrorist" people are looking at every person of a different skin colour or faith and putting them in the same category as ALL Terrorists, my answer to this one is, Joe Bloggs from number 22 could be a mass murderer or rapist, the fact is you can not tell by looking at a person no matter their creed what their beliefs are or what their intentions are.
The fear that is being instilled into us by the media along with hatred and distrust in fellow human beings is the spark to the flame, do you smell that? in the air, the faint tint of death drifting through the wind a smell which, if the segregation of British people continues will become stronger.
These will be deaths of your brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, is this what you want? does the world really need this? did we learn nothing from the sacrifice of our grandfathers and great grand fathers, yes Isis needs to be stopped as do all terrorist groups but if war is coming we should stand together, neighbor helping neighbor despite their background or origin.
This brings me to my good friend Malcolm Shipman the Landlord of a popular local Wakefield Rock music venue called The Snooty Fox.
Malcolm was touched so much by the atrocity of what is happening through out the world that he is arranging several events at The Snooty Fox over the coming months to raise cash for the families of the victims of Terrorism below is the video he has shot announcing them, he will also be offering Live Stream events as Pay per view for those who can not make it to the venue.
Please support Malcolm with this venture by sharing the video below and perhaps attending one of the gigs or watching the pay per live view.
Click the link below to view the video.
https://www.facebook.com/malcolm.shipman.3/videos/1093246704049523/?pnref=story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)