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666 online
Server Time:
2024-05-11 06:37:58
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 DJ Craig
         
Moderator
Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Male
Break the Silence
 |  |  |  | Getting permission to go in
< on 5/30/2008 9:06 PM >
|  | | | Does doing it the "legit" way ever work? Getting in touch with the owner of the building and just asking for permission to go in and take photos? Perhaps with some pretense such as being a free-lance photographer or a photography major at a local university. Or maybe even that you are interested in buying the place? What kind of story works best? Also, what is the best way to find out who owns a building and get in touch with them?
If anyone has success (or failure) stories about this, post here.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
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don_corleyone
Location: F/RoX
Gender: Male
I have abandonment issues
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 1 on 5/30/2008 9:44 PM >
| | | | it's never happened before. you could be the first! i say you boldly go where no UERer has gone before...
leave the gun. take the cannoli.
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monster
Location: Sugarland, TX / Minneapolis MN
Gender: Female
I am the thing that goes bump in the night
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 2 on 5/30/2008 9:48 PM >
| | | | If you ask for permission and are denied, go in anyway, under the cover of darkness
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Intrinsic
Location: Collingwood
Gender: Male
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 3 on 5/30/2008 9:55 PM >
| | | | Worked for me.
It was an abandoned water slide park. The media had only done a short story on it, some years ago. I went through a few hurdles trying to reach the owner (contacted his brother, then his cousin) but I was able to finally contact him. He met me at the site, opened up the gates and gave me a full tour.
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tholcomb
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Gender: Male
Captain Baghead!
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 4 on 5/30/2008 10:06 PM >
| | | | I asked the Army one time.
They said no, then asked me to lunch.
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Neophile
Location: Chicago, IL
Gender: Female
She dreams in digital.
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 5 on 5/30/2008 10:57 PM >
| | | | I think it depends on the site. I have known people who have gotten access in the past to private property by asking, usually under the guise of a photographer or some such. Flattery also does not hurt.
Way back when I successfully got a tour of an large abandoned mental hospital's outlier buildings by writing a nice letter to the state saying I was doing a history project on the site. The guy who was in charge of the site was very cool and even gave me his card in case I wanted to go back later so the guards would not bug me. A lot of that boils down to being reasonable and a little persistent.
The DoD or anything relating to infrastructure will usually give you a huge "no" if you ask for permission, even if it is an abandoned site. The military has to deal with liability issues for civilians which are different from how they have to treat people in the forces. Infrastructure is rarely not still connected to something live such as neighboring train tracks. It is easier to ask for forgiveness.
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oCtAnE
Location: TORONTO, CANADA
Gender: Male
EXPLORER AT LARGE
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 6 on 5/31/2008 12:38 AM >
| | | | I've gained access to a couple of places by asking permission. The one place was awesome, cause I told the guy doing the renovations that I was doing historical research, and he opened all the windows and doors so I could get enough light for photography. He even told me he'd read the article as soon as it appeared in the local paper, thinking I was a reporter. So yeah, sometimes it works.
-Octane
FUELED BY OCTANE. |
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Silent Knight
Location: Niagara region
Gender: Male
Kastle Archives Productions Inc. (since 1999)
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 7 on 5/31/2008 1:16 AM >
| | | | I constantly ask permission from property owners - usually for locations that are more risk than I care to take without permission. I've never kept track of the ratio of permission granted as opposed to being denied, but I'd hazard a guess at roughly 60-70% of the time its granted.
But that's not to say I don't go to a lot of low-risk places without permission, of course. But I much prefer having the go-ahead from a location owner rather than gamble on gettin' nailed.
Usually I spin a "I'm a historical archivist" story of some sort. It also helps to have some expensive camera gear along as a persuasive 'prop' so you look the part of a serious photographer. Better yet, a business card is also a good idea.
Name-drop a few locations you've been to in the past when asking permission, too. It can make you sound like an accomplished and experienced individual.
You can always tell when you're watching Canadian television - the actors in the show are the same ones doing the commercials. |
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programmer437
Location: Columbia, SC; Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 8 on 5/31/2008 1:30 AM >
| | | | As long as you have some reason to go in. For me, it's usually something like photographs for the school newspaper or a project. I doubt many owners take kindly to people who simply want to explore, though I certainly could be wrong.
"I don't care if you're urban explorers or urban infiltrators or URBAN LEGENDS!" |
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LostAmerica
Location: The West
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 9 on 5/31/2008 1:59 AM >
| | | | I had permission for these locations (among many others):
http://www.flickr....72157594233060737/
http://www.flickr....72157594461354809/
http://www.flickr....72157603894811759/
http://www.flickr....72157604429048727/
The short version of my pitch:
"I'm a fine art photographer. I shoot at night in abandoned places, capturing the historical-nature, and atmosphere of cool places like yours. I'd like to shoot your location tonite. Here, look at some of my other photography. (carry 8x10s or a sheaf of your best UE work in a binder / booklet) I'd be happy to give you prints like these and let you use the images however you like. I've done this many times before in other high security locations (show them). I'm happy to sign a waiver"
It usually works, but I can back it up with samples etc.
But if you don't have a lot of experience or historical precedent/proof to fall back on, act professional. Don't act or look like a criminal. Go to the top directly. Get past the flunkies. Bullshit 'em, walk the walk, earn the academy award if that's what it takes. But then don't betray their trust. Follow rules, leave it like you found it. If you promise prints: DELIVER. Build a relationship and you can be let into "special places" or they have buddies that operate other locations. These things really work.
It's about 50/50 permission/sneak in for me nowadays.
There's a stigma to having permission for a lot of UErs. I'm 47 years old, the thrill of sneaking in just isn't that big a deal for me anymore. It's about the location for me, and the ability to shoot it at night. Light painting is hard to hide, and having to hide it can really cramp my style.
And yes, I've had access denied and then come back and snuck in at night anyway.
[last edit 5/31/2008 2:04 AM by LostAmerica - edited 2 times]
www.lostamerica.com |
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Max12
Location: The Rotten Apple
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 10 on 5/31/2008 2:46 AM >
| | | | sneaking in is half the fun!
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Mickael
Moderator
Location: Canada
Gender: Male
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 11 on 5/31/2008 3:07 AM >
| | | | I don't have a problem with asking for permission or people who asks for permission.
I don't think that "legal UE" is a bad thing.
Why risk a trespassing and/or B&E charge when the owner can gladly let you in ?
Sometimes, you just don't have the choice but to ask for permission.
P.S: Moved this thread to the "rookie" section
Need forum-related help / Besoin d'aide reliée au forum ? Contact a moderator |
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Explorer Zero
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 12 on 5/31/2008 3:57 AM >
| | | | I wish I were a rookie AND a fine art photographer so basically any place I go, Im urban exploring right?
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SaraBellum
Berkshire Hunt
Location: Villa Villekulla
Gender: Female
Coming to a cinema near you this summer.
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 13 on 5/31/2008 5:02 AM >
| | | | I LOVE exploring with permission. It is possible, and always worth it.
[01:47:56] <GreyDeath> Sara just stares her enemies into submission and eventually madness
"You can either be wise or a bad-ass gangsta, but not both. You must choose your path." ~~metawaffle |
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blackhawk
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: Mission Control
UER newbie
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 14 on 5/31/2008 5:28 AM >
| | | | Works for me.
The truth is what I use, no bs; what you see is what you get.
I take an interest in the people, and shoot what interests me, therefore I know something about it when I talk to people at a location. I like adrenaline junkies; vets, bikers, K-9's, race car drivers, etc.
I will offer to share or special shoot images with owners, supers, managers, etc at times.
How else can you follow multi-ton construction equipment around as they rip apart plate steel like tin foil? Or get to shoot in the rotor wash of a chopper on the runway? Or climb on large amusement rides in restricted areas while they are in use or being broke down/set up?
Plus if your good enough, the same people will pose for you too. A lot more fun then bare walls and looking over your shoulder constantly.
You need some balls, boldness, likability, charisma, some charm and politeness with a lot of sincerity mixed in to make it work sometimes.
Sometimes it doesn't take anything but to ask.
It doesn't always work, but what does?
The worst they can do is say "no".
Strange how Blacky H has so much trouble here at times, but not when it comes to smuzelling his way into sites legally. hee-hee
If the people are kind enough to allow you in, don't overstep your gift; comply with restrictions placed on you. Many will let you go nuts if they trust you, but respect them at all times, and don't exceed their comfort level. Remember they can get you into other places; word of mouth means more than print.
You build trust by doing so, but if you have the gift of a silver tongue, use it! Enthusiasm is contagious, and I'm a total wild man at a shoot were there is action and/or people. Stay out of people's way, but don't be afraid to do what it takes to get the shot; laying in dirt, kneeling in mud, eating some dust following a loader, or asking if you could take their picture, but don't exceed your subject's comfort level. Respect your subjects and never try to humiliate them or show them in a bad light. Cause your subjects no harm...
Street shooting teaches you people skills, and people skills are what you need to do this the easy way.
You learn by doing.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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micro
Gender: Male
Slowly I turned
| | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 15 on 5/31/2008 5:44 AM >
| | | | 
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DjMalign
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Gender: Male
Sexy, sexy, sexy
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 16 on 5/31/2008 7:49 AM >
| | | | its like sex with a cheap hooker
I hate all of you |
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SaraBellum
Berkshire Hunt
Location: Villa Villekulla
Gender: Female
Coming to a cinema near you this summer.
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 17 on 5/31/2008 8:34 AM >
| | | | Yeah, Malign, that's pretty much what I said.
[01:47:56] <GreyDeath> Sara just stares her enemies into submission and eventually madness
"You can either be wise or a bad-ass gangsta, but not both. You must choose your path." ~~metawaffle |
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DjMalign
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Gender: Male
Sexy, sexy, sexy
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 18 on 5/31/2008 8:59 AM >
| | | | Sweet, we should go get hookers sometime together!
I hate all of you |
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Steed
Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor
| | | Re: Getting permission to go in
<Reply # 19 on 5/31/2008 3:54 PM >
| | | | My ****** got a government job that involves cleaning out a very noteworthy abandoned building, and I asked her to take me there soon. Not going to slip any more details, just say that it's going to drop a lot of jaws when I do it.
No, I don't think getting permission is bad. It gets you in places others can't go, and isn't that the ultimate goal of UE?
[last edit 10/13/2008 9:02 AM by Steed - edited 1 times]
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