tom leoni Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 All~ I was intrigued by an article I read on this month's issue of Popular Photography, where Neal Matthews described some of his wonderful adventures as an urban archaeologist. In particular, I was taken by his account of how he photographed abandoned shipyards. I know *absolutely nothing* about urban archaeology--as a matter of fact, this article was my first exposure to it. I gather that there is a very dedicated community that is very much in the know in this regard. So I was hoping to have someone point me to the right direction. I have performed some web searches, but what I found was only marginally relevant to my quest. Are there any websites devoted to this fascinating subject--indicating sites, tips, caveats, etc--perhaps even specifically about the US East Coast? I am now dreaming of photographing abandoned shipyards, of which I know there is an abundance around where I live (DC area), but I wouldn't know the first thing about which one to go to, how to approach this "discipline" without goofing it in a major way and ending up in the *really* wrong place. Thanks Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall ellis Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Well, there is Urban Archeology and Urban Exploration. The former would assume at least a Masters degree in Archeology, if not a Ph.D, and the later would assume that you have courage (or are foolhardy, either one) and certain lack of concern for trespassing laws. There are quite a few websites related to urban exploration, but if you want to research the more formal version, the library would be the best place to look. Talk with the Reference librarians about searching peer-reviewed journals on the topic. You might be able to track down someone who needs help doing their research, but I wouldn't expect a lot of time for your own interested if you volunteer - they will expect a high level of help from you and may or may not be willing to let you do your own thing. Not to mention the liability issues... Check this site out for some great images of shipyards. http://www.oboylephoto.com/ruins/index.htm - Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy_center Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I read the same article and the subject was Urban <i>Exploration</i>. It piqued my interest too. A google search turned up plenty of info. You can also search Flickr tags for the same subject to see what others have shot. I live in Seattle and apparently there ain't much except for the old Flour Mill on Harbor Island. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall ellis Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 U.E. people tend to be closed mouthed for the most part, for good reason. While many people interested in photography would not see them as trouble, most everyone else does. Some of these people do put a lot of photos online, so search around a bit, but the best source is to do a little in-person networking with people that do this type of thing and build some acquaintances. So I've heard anyway.... - R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom leoni Posted February 20, 2007 Author Share Posted February 20, 2007 Thank you guys. That article really electrified me, and after a couple days' worth of googling under my belt, I have found a few breadcrumbs that will hopefully turn me onto the right trail... Interesting subject. On so many levels. Definitely not for the casual photog or the semi-committed. Hopefully, in a few weeks (months?) I'll be posting some shots of derelict harbor cranes... or post bail. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmnop Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 There's something that's called "The Ghost Fleet" which you may be interested in, I believe they're WWII ships that are afloat and decaying in The San Pablo Bay, in California. They look abandoned. From what I've seen, they're all shoulder to shoulder in the water, like a small city--they make a rather stunning site--emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Goose Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I'm doing Urban Exploration for over 5 years now and done a lot of locationss (more than what's on my website, www.urbanprojects.be ). websites can be a good startingpoint but the really interessting stuff is not found inside the websites but you rather have to look around yourself. The reason most chose the Urban Exploration route instead of the Urban Archaeologist route is simply because of the fact that you can't visit the most interesting places is you chose the last option. Owners of big industial plants are very often reluctant against the question of visiting because they have a lot of things to hide, pollution is the main thing here. Where I live (Belgium) the rules regarding pollution are quite strict and many owners don't like people with camera's because they don't want to spend their money to clean up their shit. Also, when you ask permission it's really the case that you can freely move on the site itself, in most cases there's somebody with you (the owner or some security monkey), this limits your artistic changes a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Goose Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Edit: really the case ---> rarely the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uhooru Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Interesting stuff Uncle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cenelsonfoto Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 There was a nice spread in Lenswork from a cat who went to the FSU and photographed an area that once was a large body of water. FSU authorities had drained it, I think diverting the water for agriculture. Lots of neat fishing vessels and whatnot. Lemme see if I can find the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cenelsonfoto Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Ok, issue No. 60, Lenswork Sept/Oct '05. Photographer, Radek Skrivanek. Story titled "Aral Tengizi: Story of a Dying Sea."<p> Viewable <a href="http://www.lenswork.com/enhanced/previewpages/lw060preview.pdf">HERE</a>, beginning page 10 of the PDF.<p> Also, images viewable <a href="http://www.photolucida.org/cm_winners.aspx?aID=d66ad525-d03d-444f-8ef9-78aa55637d3c">HERE</a> at photolucida.<p> From that spread: <p><img src="http://www.photolucida.org/images%5Ccritical_mass%5Cd66ad525-d03d-444f-8ef9-78aa55637d3c/review/6.jpg"> <p> C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_gilday Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I've never photographed a shipyard, active or otherwise, but do a fair bit of urban exploration with cameras and tripod in tow, and have some unusual stuff on my site. I and a number of others have worked on a documentary on the subject which premieres next week in California; the page on the film's website with all the photographers' websites is http://www.urbanexplorersfilm.com/creditsphoto.htm .<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_gilday Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 ...and one for the monochrome enthusiasts, some light bulbs in need of cleaning:<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall ellis Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Great links, thanks! - Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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