Comments on: Urban Exploration guide for Photographers

By: Derelict-UK

Derelict-UK — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:22:17 +0000

Good write up, very informative.

for pictures of my explores please visit the following websites;

http://www.photoaddiction.co.uk
http://www.fotoarc.co.uk

By: Loke

Loke — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:36:41 +0000

For urban exploration fans, check this out! www.beauty-of-decay.com

By: Andyincvb

Andyincvb — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:37:13 +0000

My hint is to put some glow in the dark stickers on your tripod. I dont know how many times I have be “painting” with the torch in pitch black with a long exposure only to want to return behind the camera and have no idea where it is. Of course you can not point the light to the camera, but the glow in the dark stickers certainly stop you tripping over your tripod and stuffing up your day & week.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:36:35 +0000

@michael: I think my high ISO trick wasn’t that clear… I do my test shots at high ISO (to keep shutter speed low) then, once I have found the desired ISO-shutter-aperture combo, I invert the ISO and shutter speed and put the camera on a tripod (if it was not already on) and do the final composition adjustments. This way, I can do 10-20 test shots in a minute with the same exposure as I would have gotten with a 20-30 seconds exposure.

Hope it is clear now! I always shoot at ISO 100-200 max, even with the 5dMarkII.

By: Michael John Grist

Michael John Grist — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:13:56 +0000

Great tip on stirring up dust- never thought of that, will have to try it. Just be sure it`s not asbestos!

You say you shoot on highest ISO- something I do myself if I`m going hand-held, but if I`m making the effort to go on a tripod, then why not get the best quality possible. Even in a very dark space, with a flashlight to fill in spaces it doesn`t take more than 30 seconds, which I think is acceptable.

Also good tips about what metal to rely on. Often stairs I find are still sturdy, so reachign the top I`ve put some of my weight on the railing, to discover that it was totally loose. One scary moment in particular I nearly fell about 50 feet. Ach. Never trust railings! And going up steps, stand at the edges, not in the middle. The edge is the strongest point.

Cheers for great post.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:42:08 +0000

@Controlman: if anyone but you said something like this I would think ‘ya right’, but with your background, I know what you mean. You are a legend!

Of all the people who visit these buildings, I think photographers have to be the ones who are the most interested about the history. At least, from my personal experience.

By: Jason Collin Photography

Jason Collin Photography — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:43:32 +0000

Great tips. In Japan urban exploring is called haikyo. I wish I would have used more long exposures there to add variety to my various other methods, which included off camera flash.

The idea of kicking up dust to catch the light is great.

Now that I’m back in the U.S. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of haikyo can be found here.

By: controleman

controleman — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:02:18 +0000

I did liked it when urban exploration was an underground phenomena. It now feels like no one gives a siht about all the rest but photos.

*An explorer who’s trying to get rid of that tag