I adhere mostly to the "leave-no-trace" ethic. If I am successful, there will be no evidence that I was ever there, even from the perspective of people immediately familiar with the scenes (eg. fellow explorers). I even try to disturb as little dust as is feasible without jeopardizing personal safety.

The only things that I will modify in an environment is the removal/relocation of minor post-abandonment vandalism/trashing, such as empty beer cans. Or messages written in dust/chalk. Or worse, stickers-as-tags. These people obviously didn't respect others' experience of the place, so I have no obligation to respect their dog-piss "personalizations".

I try not to touch anything, unless it's a paint can can, beer can or some other type of trash, and it's in my shot. And I definitely won't leave any trace that I was there. I also make sure that trespassing is the worst thing I could get charged with while there.

The most I would do is I have a friend that made a space suit, and it can completely make a drain tunnel feel like an otherworldly place when looking at the wardrobe and and creative lighting. Typically I light a place to try to capture how it is. Besides changing the character/ subject minimally I really do not do anything. Paint would be a dick move and if I knew someone was going to paint I would never show them the locations I visit. Never props besides practical lights like lanterns, most the places I go bringing more than a backpack is impossible anyways.

At first I took pictures like a documentary, or an archive. I was fascinated by the eeriness of the place I explored. I was trying real hard to make pictures that would transmit this feeling. I sometimes moved things, but never bring anything from the outside other than my flashlights/tripod.

Nowadays, I still try to take pictures as archive, but I try not only to archive the place, but also the moment. So if we are camping in a spot, I'll try to include some shots of the camping related moments.

By the way, if someone find a good french translation for the word ''eerie'', I don't think there is one, but I still I miss it.

Props can include the addition of tiny figurines, human models, the use of light painting gear, moving objects found in the environment to get a better shot, blocking light sources, opening and closing doors or windows to change lighting conditions. I don't see why any of this would be "breaking rules". Seems like a silly question, if your objective is to simply get a better photograph.

I love that you asked this question and I have met many people along the way with varying opinions on this topic. Here's My takes:

1. I wont break anything. Period. Not to gain access, not to create an aesthetic. If I get caught or questioned by police, I do not want them to be able to accuse me of more than trespassing. No breaking and entering and no vandalism for this guy.

2. I do not brings props for URBEX photos, not because of any "rules" per se, but I do not see a reason. I am just shooting what I find at the location. I am trying to create the best photo I can of the location I find, the way I find it.

3. I have however brought props for a portrait shoot like this stool and picture frame.
frame7 by kabdad, on Flickr

4. I typically don't stage an urbex scene, but I have been known to move a chair, which I guess is still staging, but what I like to think of as a milder form. I have photographed rooms (like this classrooms) that was likely staged by others
5 by kabdad, on Flickr

5. I do not take souvenirs or memorabilia from the sites I explore. If it was there when I arrived, I want to to be there for the next guy... (but I recently saw a photographer and her daughter pay a homeless guy haul a large chair out of a site and load it in their SUV!!!) To me this is similar to #1. If police see me leaving, I don't want to be accused of anything but trespassing. Not stealing, or theft, or anything else!!

Just my two cents.

I haven't done this in a few years, but we had certain locations we would use props and dress up in fancy dresses just to experiment with shooting techniques and goof off in front of the camera. It was all for the fun and 99% of the photos probably never made it off of the laptop.
But it was still a lot of fun.

I used to like to photograph these places exactly as I found them, but it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm just documenting someone else's setup. I'll move things around a bit if it suits the composition I want or to ensure I'm act least getting a unique photo, but in general I don't really bother with the elaborate setups. I have nothing against people that do that stuff though, even if it tends to be pretty cringe.

Posted by developstopfix I used to like to photograph these places exactly as I found them, but it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm just documenting someone else's setup.

It always kinda bothers me now when I find a room or piece of furniture that would make such a great picture - then realize that it's probably because someone posed it that way, and the picture I'm about to take probably already exists.



You just know.