Posted by wolfdragon88 I'm curious where you guys draw the line at with your interest in photographing or trying to explore a vacant or abandoned spot?

TRIPODS, thin lens, wide lens, narrow lens, dp lens, etc. lens... I do not have time for that.

Me:
"I was here *cellie selfie shot+ducklips=BAM* What's next?"

If it's old enough to have that musty abandonment smell, I'm in. Just because it had a "For Sale" sign out front for a couple of years doesn't mean it's not abandoned.

Besides, if nobody's bought it in a couple of years, you know they probably won't in the future.

As long as it's musty and abandoned, I'll look around. You never know where something interesting might be, after all.

Posted by AdventureDan For me it's one of 2 questions. How awesome is the place i'm getting into? for me, this means super cool peelies and architecture, cool shit, rooftop views, historic value, photo op, possibility of using said place to train parkour, etc. The other question is how hard is it to get into said place? I think i'm the opposite of a lot of people in this regard. The harder to access the better. A large part of urbex for me, is the rush of getting places where i shouldn't be. I live for the challenge. If it's an empty square concrete shell that's locked up like a fort, I'm definitely going to try to get in. Padlocks? Perfect. contorting through small holes? Great. Death defying climb or rooftop jump? Even better. I'm an adrenaline junkie and I also love the feeling of knowing i can go anywhere i please.

much like
the line then is how you define yourself and what you are trying to achieve. My reason for Parkour and other movements, particularly UrbEx, is written as above. Urbex-ers know not to be contained by the well trodden path of everyday living, and for me its getting places others wont, or cant. pics and history is also great.
The shops might be lame and unchallenging or photogenic, but there might also be something that makes it well worth it to you. You just dont know, but isnt that why its called exploring?

I don't discriminate buildings. I'm perfectly fine exploring a huge resort or a small house. To me they are both abandoned and can be interesting.

I will however draw the line at places I think are above my skill level in regards to getting caught. I don't have much experience at all evading security so if I know a place is well secured I won't bother walking into what i know will be me getting caught.

It will happen someday but I'd rather put of police interaction as long as I possibly can.

Posted by JKuhnss I will however draw the line at places I think are above my skill level in regards to getting caught. I don't have much experience at all evading security so if I know a place is well secured I won't bother walking into what i know will be me getting caught. It will happen someday but I'd rather put of police interaction as long as I possibly can.

Wise word, wise words. The farther off I can put getting caught, the better off I'll be. I want to stay under the cops' notice for as long as possible, so when I DO get caught, it will just be a warning.

It doesn't have to be abandoned. Plenty of people explore active places. If its off limits, its exploring.

I have no line as far as how freshly vacant a building is. There have been a few times where we've been in schools within a week of their closing and they hadn't even removed all the desks and books and supplies yet.

I do have a line for shitty buildings though. If it's terribly blown out, we usually don't even bother. I have a strict no houses or storefronts policy in Detroit. Usually a no apartments policy. Some of the coolest explores have been apartments, but the only time I ever almost drew my pistol was in an apartment, so it's a judgement call really.

I tend to stray away from subway tunnels - I'm too nervous about all the hazards involved! I also don't really explore areas that are part of a system that is still operating, ie; rooftops.

I LOVE houses and homes, the more untouched the better...I love getting a feel for the people who used to be there. Churches are amazing too. I have never been lucky enough to get to go into an abandoned hospital though, that's the dream!

Posted by A Through Z Explorations TRIPODS, thin lens, wide lens, narrow lens, dp lens, etc. lens... I do not have time for that.

See I never have that problem. I always bring my camera but I rarely bring my tripod and I currently don't have the money for all those lenses lol.

Posted by JKuhnss See I never have that problem. I always bring my camera but I rarely bring my tripod and I currently don't have the money for all those lenses lol.

Yeah, same. My tripod is WAY to conspicuous, since I usually have to dodge foot and motorized traffic to get into the places I usually hit, and I don't have the money for anything better than a starting digital camera. Still, it's the experience and story as much as it is the photos, you know?