Posted by freeside Part of this comes from exploring with the same people for years and years. We setup next to each other all the time, as the angle and position is so obvious, why take turns? We also show each other our shots continuously to inspire each other and give each other ideas. At the end of the night this often results in better photographs all around as we solve each others small mistakes. Also we collaborate on lighting scenes at night and it's hard to do this if cameras are all over the place. The cameras need to be in the same general area or I will be walking through your shot with my light on, ruining it.

Got to agree on that. With my fellow explorer friends we always set our tripods next to the other, sometimes because the choice of angle is limited...

So I do agree it in't a big DON'T for me, because it's always good to compare our pictures and this is a part of the improvement process.

Posted by Steed I used to have an arch enemy here who once used my pictures to locate an old military base I'd found, then she went there and took a lot of taint shots, and later claimed she'd been there first. Didn't want to invoke her name in the article, though the clown car comments are also about her.

That's just... Dirty pool, old man! Dirty pool!!

Seriously though, not cool. Tsk. My disapproving face. 8|

Anyway, there's always room for more explorers in Korea, dumb white American or not.

One day. I'll reliably be a dumb white american for a good while, here, but maybe I can get better at picture-takin'.

Great advice and write up. Definitely something I'll take to heart for future exploring.

Fantastic article: straightforward, informative, and humorous.

The only thing I'd take issue with is the "Don't ask for permission" rule: I've had a couple of good experiences there.

I actually found the bits about culture most intriguing (goons hired to scare evicted people; sensitivity to people's sense of shame/embarrassment; green blankets - where do they come from, and why are they so cheap?)

Posted by Tenebrae Fantastic article: straightforward, informative, and humorous. The only thing I'd take issue with is the "Don't ask for permission" rule: I've had a couple of good experiences there. I actually found the bits about culture most intriguing (goons hired to scare evicted people; sensitivity to people's sense of shame/embarrassment; green blankets - where do they come from, and why are they so cheap?)

You're right and there's a lot more nuance to asking for permission, but I wanted it to be brief and decisive. I also trimmed down the entry on taking things, as I have about 11 personal rules I try to follow on that topic, but it's just a lot easier to introduce it as "Don't take stuff, period."

You're right in that case, thanks for the clarification. Asking typically results in exactly what you've outlined.

This is one of the best write ups I've ever read. Thanks for sharing!

Posted by Tenebrae You're right in that case, thanks for the clarification. Asking typically results in exactly what you've outlined.

I imagine the success rate would be even lower here. Can't imagine any Korean being okay with letting foreigners look around an abandonment here. There are exceptions I outline in another section, places where the owners might charge an entrance fee or operate a business or art gallery on the premises, though in those cases it's not exactly "permission" that you need to ask for.

This was a great article


...except when considering that casual urbexers probably don't care if are certain principles and guidelines for responsible urbexing

*sigh*

Posted by nicknolte This was a great article ...except when considering that casual urbexers probably don't care if are certain principles and guidelines for responsible urbexing *sigh*

Yeah, I know what you mean, but if it's presented as a package deal I think people are more likely to accept it.

Also, check out this entertaining comment someone left over the weekend:

What a stupid Clueless Foreigner looking for trouble. Praytell, would you do this shit in Toronto, Vancouver, NYC or London? Why provoke the locals and give other equally clueless foreigners living in Korea a bad name for? If you don’t think so, I have a bridge to sell you. What a bored MF. Get a Life!