Urban Exploration Photography: A Guide to Shooting Abandoned Places

Synthetic Elements

The synthetic elements found in abandoned places can be easier to work with than organic elements because they can sometimes be moved around and placed for a better composition. These elements typically give viewers a better sense of how the structure was used and the type of people who used to inhabit it. While some of the larger synthetic elements cannot be moved and may even be built into the structure, they still can serve as a great photo subject. In my personal adventures, there have been reoccurring elements like artifacts, chairs, graffiti, windows, peeling paint, and machinery, which all make great subjects. If you see something in an abandonment that doesn’t fit within these categories, however, shoot it! The more ...