Photographing abandoned/derelict buildings in Detroit

Some of my income is derived from photographing abandoned industrial plants. I have an open commission with the Calumet Heritage Project to photograph the ACME Steel Coke plant on Chicago's notorious South Side (q.v. www.donsatalic.com). Detroit or Chicago--these are dangerous places. DO NOT GO ALONE! I've had guns pulled on me in such places. They were scrappers that thought I was going to steal their haul. I convinced them I was just a crazy photographer. I don't go alone anymore. The allure of such surreal landscapes compels image-makers to enter them, even at their own peril. Just be careful.

I think Don hit it on the head as to the motivation - many photographers are chasing the surreal in their photography. After all, that's what cameras do best. And abandoned buildings, especially industrial one, have been accepted by our community as one of the best places to make such images. I can see why you want to go.

 

Also just wanted to say to Joe that I didn't mean to come off as a Detroit-basher - I know there are many fine sections of the city, but typically these abandoned industrial areas are in the higher-crime areas of the city. In my case, growing up around Washington DC, I can tell you that we used to have the highest murder rate in the country back in the 80's. But if you only went to Northwest (where all the monuments, government buildings and museums are) there was virtually no crime. But venture across the Anancostia River to Southeast DC, and it is a whole different world, full of crime. So my guess is Detroit is similar in that the majority of the crime there happens in specific places - unfortunately, you are needing to photograph in those places.

On the topic of getting a local guide... someone with local knowledge can be a great help when photographing unfamiliar territory regardless of whether or not the area is "dangerous". Your guide can help you pick out good subjects, navigate, point you to the best greasy diner, and so on. Of course they can also watch your back when you are immersed in making an image and all that other good security stuff.

 

People use guides all the time for fishing, hiking, rafting, golfing (caddy), so why not for photography too?

You might try the Detroit Film Office:

 

http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/Departments/DetroitFilmOffice/tabid/582/Default.aspx

 

They might be able to help you get into some of the desired locations legally.

 

Good Luck

Damn. All these posts must be getting you paranoid. Sure Detroit is dangerous, but if you are serious about urban photography, nothing is without risk. I know people that travel to war zones in Iraq to take photographs. Now thats dangerous! I would insure all the equipment and not carry too much money and stuff on you when you explore. The police will honestly not bother you too much as long as you tell them you are taking photos. But just in case I would make sure you had lots of money to cover the trespassing charge (not a joke). You can also have stuff like fence cutters, small ladders, flash lights, thick rubber matts (to get over barb wire), work gloves, helmets, steel toe boots, and dust masks to help you explore abandoned buildings.

 

But just so I don't sound like a bad influence, if you do get mugged, just hand over your stuff and don't be a hero. Good luck.

"I would suggest that your working method in Detroit need not be significantly different than it was when you photographed in India, Morocco, or Cuba."

I've been to all 4 places mentioned above. Feeling safe and secure in Detriot is exponentially more elusive compared to the other 3. The 3 other places are reknown for touts - locals who wiill approach you to gain some economic advantage but the hope is for a mutual economic exchange, bet it for cigars, carpets, whores or transportation. Detroit the exchange will not be consensual. In India I was harrassed non-stop by most every shop owner and taxi -bike wallah. Morrocco a little less so. Cuba was not nearly as intense but I never feared for being robbed in any of these places. Muslim countries are far far safer, Theft is rare, very rare. And state imposed penalties on crime perpetuated against tourists by the cuban gov't has created the intended deterrent effect. these places are safe. Comparitavely, Detroit isn't and rarely feels so. I've witnessed a robbery there as well as a lunatic attacking a small kitten with a 2x4 slab of wood. The scary areas can be photographed - but only with an increased amount of risk. Make sure the camera is not openly displayed when not being used. Dress down, very down. I'd put my unease in Detroit on par with photographing Rio de Janeiro. It can be done but not without considerable risk, especially if you don't play the part of a local...you even should try to walk the same way some of the locals do....be not afraid to look the locals in the eyes and nod. Every bit helps. I even take up smoking when I travel to certain parts.

Phil. I've photographed in all those places too, without incident albeit with some irritation from time to time. Believe me, I never thought that photographing in Detroit would be anything like those places- I mean I've never started a thread here asking whether I'd be safe travelling to Cuba! Thanks for your concern and help.

 

Incidentally, Mick Brown, the journalist who wrote the original article has contacted me privately to give his perspective, which I thought was really good of him. Apparently he'd seen the thread here!

And what was Mr. Brown's perspective on the matter?

Much the same as most of the people who live/have photographed there. they had no issues in several days photography as a three, and the streets were pretty much deserted, though he found the worst areas a little nervy. Tends to support the view here that having a local guide would make things easier. Not at all discouraging and gave some great web-links to some interesting buildings.

I have been all over the USA, Europe, Central America, and Southeast Asia, and the only time I have felt unsafe and concerned for my safety was in Detroit. I felt like I was in Beirut after the Israelis occupation.

 

There are business class downtown hotels that are connected by a secured monorail with access only from the hotels and various mini malls also with high security and the various stops are patrolled and actively monitored by CCTV 24x7. If you exit to the street you cannot return except by going back into the hotels and mall spots.

 

To go walking about alone with thousands of dollars of camera gear without an armed security person seems like more of a risk than is necessary or prudent considering the value of the pictures. No doubt there are safe areas, marginal areas, and are you out of your mind areas but only a native would know which were which and at what times of the day.

There's reason RobotCop was set in Detroit.

personally i was blown away more when I drove through Gary, Indiana in the early 80's. i doubt if much of the deserted rusty factories are still standing.

<p>David Henderson, did you ever go? What was your experience? Does anyone have recent experience to report?<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>I did not go. I did try to recruit a (paid)guide through the Detroit Camera clubs and wrote to their president to ask whether he might circulate my request to the constituent clubs but got such a negative, rude, response from someone that you'd expect to be supportive of photography that I just gave it up as a bad job. </p>

<p>For what its worth I think a lot of the better places are demolished now, in Detroit and also elsewhere. </p>