Images taken on location: Sussex County, Greystone Mental Institution, and Gingerbread Castle
Abandoned Locations Series 2013
Here is a series of abandoned locations I am currently working on. So far, it is a collection of images taken from January to April 2013. In this series I am trying to show the beauty in the decay of locations long abandoned by people. As the years go by, the deterioration of these places, by neglect and the elements, creates a disturbing and, surprisingly, colorful landscape. Shooting these locations can come with risks. Many of the places I go to have rotted floors with massive holes that plunge down as far as three stories. There is always the urgency to stay cautious and remain focused on your surroundings. Due to the issue of safety and the fact that places like these are known as being dens for squatters, drug addicts and hooligan kids, trespassing can get you in a bit of trouble. Police often patrol the area in hopes of deterring anyone from getting in. If caught and prosecuted fines can be up into the hundreds and possible jail time. But it can be worth the risk. Being able to venture the halls of a mental hospital or power plant that has been cut off from society for years and even centuries can feel like taking a walk into the past. It is a haunting look into a world void of people.