The Online World of Urban Exploration

Perhaps it's like "The Hatch" in Lost. You see something like the door below and can't help but to think of the world that could be below. We see something and we absolutely have to know what's inside. Welcome to the world of Urban Exploration. The exploration of all things abandoned or closed from society for years. The only thing more exciting than entering a world of years gone by is the unbelievable photography that can result. Here are 5 sites that share the world of urban exploration either through amazing photography or interesting discussion.




1. Opacity

To merely call this a site of photos of abandoned buildings wouldn't be doing the creator, Motts, justice. I consider Motts one of the finest photographers I know. I think he states it best in this quote " Once a building no longer serves its purpose, and all of its functionality ceases to exist, it becomes truly fascinating. Each room is transforming into something new at its own rate, yielding to the forces of nature as it reclaims man's creation" Motts specializes in abandoned hospitals and institutions and captures them in a way that will most likely stir up some emotion, usually fright or fascination. You can feel the emotion and
history in every photo









2. Urban Exploration Resource. UAR is a Canadian web community of urban explorers. The picture section is fantastic (a few selections can be seen below) and even has a section for photographers to have their photos critiqued.







3. The site of David McMillan photos. David's photos have been featured all over the net. He has become famous for his pictures of Chernobyl, 10 years later. Most people have seen some of his work by now (below) but most have never made it to his actual site. Haunting and brilliant.








The 28 Days Later Forum. Within this site is a subculture of UK based urban explorers. A site made up of roughly 4000 members that trade locations and discuss their latest trips. It tends to lean more towards amateur explorers but the discussion flows freely and compared to other sites, the members seem to gladly give directions and information about their latest finds. I get a kick out of how the forum is broken down. High stuff, leisure sites, industrial sites, military sites, underground, and other. I think that pretty much covers it. And again, beautiful photography within.


The WebUrbanist: The 7 Deserted Wonders of the Post Modern World has been a huge internet success. WebUrbanist was the site that introduced me to the unbelievable photography that can result in urban exploration. The posts show a knack for combining imagery and themes in a way that makes you want to click links to find out more. The "hobbit home" from below was one of my favorite ([from this story]) . The site touches on things most people have never heard of and most likely will never see in person and that's why I continue to visit. WebUrbanist has a great collections of abandonments images and
information as well as a beginner's guide to urbex an other abandonments resources. On a humorous side note, I also realized from this site that pictures look better if you outline them with a thick black line.