Read the Abandonment Issues Series in full!
Playlist: In My Time Of Dying-Led Zeppelin / Rock Me On The Water-Jackson Brown / Killing In The Name Of-Rage Against the Machine / Kiss-Prince / Release the Kraken-The Daysleepers / Moonlight Mile-Rolling Stones/ Here Comes a Regular-The Replacements / The Drop I Hold-Black Lips
Meet Jude, aka Dr_Sax, who I stumbled upon while looking at tags related to exploration. He is the origninator of the tag #derelictcampaign and has a love for the forgotten.
J: I really love the old stuff. If you look further back into my feed..I have alot of old signs. There’s only so many of those shots to be had. I soon ran out of subject matter. The next logical move for me was old abandoned places. I live in sort of a rural area where there’s alot of abandoned houses and barns. It’s like low lying fruit. Ripe for the pickin.
A:Was there one specific thing that caught your attention and spoke to you when you first started shooting these kinds of places?
J: I don’t think there was one specific thing. I’ve always loved the old stuff. And when it’s abandoned old stuff I just can’t pull my car over fast enough.
A: Can you describe what it is about abandoned places that keeps you searching for more?
J: I think it must be that feeling that you stumbled upon something great. That maybe no one else saw the beauty in. Maybe it’s the thrill of the hunt. Although half the time I don’t know what I’m looking for. I just keep my eyes peeled as I’m rollin down the road. But man it’s so nice when you stumble upon some these things/places.
A: how does shooting with an iphone make it easier to shoot these kind of places?
J: It makes it easy that’s for sure. I have an IPhone-5 and the camera is pretty good. It’s so easy to slip in and out of a place. And u definitely draw less attention with a phone in your back pocket..than a camera bag full of equipment over your shoulder.
A: Anywhere you would love to shoot that you haven’t yet? I think every explorer has a list of destinations they would love to see.
J: I’ve always wanted to do some of the old abandoned subway tunnels in NYC. And Detroit is definitely one of those goldmine places for old buildings/factories.
A:How do you justify trespassing? Really I want to know this, I get asked all the time and I wonder if there is a better answer than the one I am giving people.
J: It hurts absolutely nobody for me to take a picture. I’m not a thief. I’ve never taken anything from or vandalized a building I’ve photographed. The only thing I walk away with is hopefully a beautiful picture. And I can definitely live with that.
A:Any tips for the new kids just starting out?
J: Definitely wise to have a respirator..and Boots (You don’t want a nail or glass through your foot). Play dumb if you’re caught. 🙂
A: What do you do when you aren’t out shooting?
J: I wash windows for a living. I do a lot of driving! Probably about 35,000 miles a year. Alot of music and Podcasts to pass the time driving between jobs. I have a huge area to hunt for subject matter. From the Eastern Shore of Maryland/VA/Delaware to DC and Baltimore. I’m always drivin the back roads…you never know what might turn up.
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I love the images, and the walk through the “why” of your imagery. I wish I were that brave!
thanks for taking the time to read it Sue! and maybe you need an adventure buddy if you ever make it to Kentucky I will take you exploring