All
around the world there exists
an uninhabited realm parallel
to our own, f illed with
forgotten houses, factories,
churches and hospitals. However neglected,
these sites exist as uncommon museums of sorts.
Abandoned buildings, also known as ‘bandos’,
are some of the most interesting material for
photographic capture.
There is a special type of photographer who
lives to preserve these time capsules through
imagery. Known as ‘rurexers’ and ‘urbexers’—
rural and urban bando explorers—these daring
few risk unstable terrain for the sake of this
competitive and niche genre of photography.
Abandonment of a structure can occur
for reasons of crisis, but also of indifference.
Sometimes it is easier to just leave and let the
rest of the world take care of what remains. In
the end, we all abandon our lives, leaving our
possessions for others to reclaim.
Tips for shooting Bandos
Bring your tripod. Most of the time you will be shooting in low
light and your images will have better quality if you shoot a long
exposure—rather than boosting your ISO.
A flashlight is essential for dark buildings, so always bring it, just in
case! You can also use it for light painting effects.
As with all interior images, your wide-angle lens is your best option.
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