Urban exploration photography has changed the way I see the world. There’s something captivating about stepping into a crumbling building that once buzzed with life and now sits in quiet decay. Whether it’s a factory being overtaken by vines or a derelict hospital echoing with history, urbex (urban exploration) offers a unique blend of storytelling and adventure through the lens.

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot through trial, error, and the occasional adrenaline spike. If you're curious about getting started with urbex photography, here’s a guide that’s rooted in real experience, with tips on scouting locations, staying safe, and capturing the eerie beauty of abandoned spaces.

What Is Urbex Photography, Really?

Urban exploration photography, often shortened to "urbex," is the art of documenting abandoned or rarely accessed places. Think old theatres, hospitals, train stations, factories, and even homes. Each space carries traces of human history: peeling paint, forgotten objects, or the way nature has started to reclaim the structure. Urban explorers often have an interest in historical research and storytelling, wanting to understand the bones of the place and figuring out the story behind its use and eventual abandonment. I find photography can help to tell and deepen that story.

What draws me in every time is how these spaces reflect something bigger—social change, economic collapse, the environment’s power to reclaim its territory. A photograph of a rusted school chair in a collapsed classroom can say more than a history book sometimes.

How to Find Urbex Locations  
(Without Getting Stuck or Lost)

Finding great urbex spots takes patience, curiosity, and a bit of digital sleuthing. Here's how I typically go about it:

1. Use Google Maps like a Detective

Start by exploring satellite views in areas with known industrial or urban decay. Zoom in on older neighbourhoods, railway lines, and factory zones. Look for signs like broken roofs, overgrown car parks, or boarded-up structures.

Search terms help too. Try combining words like “abandoned factory,” “shut-down hospital,” or “derelict building” with your city or region. Traditional search engines are good for this, but so is the Google Maps search, because it searches for your keywords in reviews people have left, which can provide clues to local places that are good for urbex exploration.

2. Scan Instagram, YouTube and Urbex Forums

Instagram hashtags like #urbex, #abandonedplaces, or #urbexdetroit often bring up visually rich leads. Reddit’s r/urbanexploration or specialist urbex forums can be treasure troves of real tips, especially from users in your local area. (Insert external link to urbex community or forum here). Also, YouTube channels like The Unknown Cameraman have some fascinating footage.

3. Explore Local Archives and News

Public libraries, newspaper archives, and local history groups sometimes hold records or stories about places long forgotten. You might even find that a building you pass every day has an incredible backstory.

After finding a promising spot, it’s wise to scout it virtually first, so make sure to check current conditions through online images, blogs, or local contacts before physically exploring.

A Closer Look: Detroit and Its Abandoned Icons

Detroit comes up often in urban exploration circles—and for good reason. Once a booming center of American industry, it’s now home to some of the most photographed abandoned buildings in the world.

One of my favourite shoots was at the Michigan Theater. Trees were growing through the old floorboards. Light spilled in through the collapsed ceiling, catching gold paint that still clung to the arches. It was haunting and beautiful in equal measure.

Other standouts include the old Packard Plant and the Eastown Theatre. If you’re planning a trip to Detroit, do your research in advance (here’s a useful online guide to Detroit urbex, and additional information of Detroit’s preservation laws). It’s worth noting that the city has become more protective of its heritage sites in recent years, and some buildings are now off-limits.

When Nature Reclaims the Space

One of the most moving parts of urbex photography is watching how nature takes over. Vines wrap around staircases, moss creeps across tiled floors, and sunlight streams in through collapsed roofs to nourish wildflowers growing inside.

These scenes speak to the cycle of decay and rebirth. I’ve shot places where trees now grow in old operating theatres and ivy weaves through forgotten school desks. It’s a visual reminder that nature always finds a way back.

When shooting these spaces, I focus on contrast—the hard lines of manmade structures softened by nature. Look for textures like cracked concrete next to soft leaves or rust against new growth. This kind of imagery resonates deeply, and it ranks well too. Searches like “nature reclaiming buildings” or “reclaimed by nature art” show just how fascinated people are by this theme.

Safety First: What You Need to Know

Urban exploration isn’t without its risks. From unstable floors to legal gray areas, here’s how to stay safe and responsible:

Don’t go alone. Always bring someone you trust and let someone else know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Check the structure. Avoid buildings with visible roof collapses or signs of severe water damage. If you have doubts, don’t enter.
Wear proper gear. I bring gloves, a dust mask, solid boots, and a headlamp. You’re likely to encounter sharp metal, mold, or worse.
Understand the law. Urbex often exists in a legal gray area because many abandoned buildings are still private property. Whenever possible, get permission. If that’s not an option, look for publicly accessible sites or those offering guided tours.
Treat the site with respect. Don’t move things unnecessarily, take items, or leave trash behind. The goal is to document, not to disturb.

Always be aware of the cultural context of the site, too. For example, when I explore places like the abandoned Italian "Insane Asylum", it requires extra caution due to the state of decay and structural instability, as well as sensitivity to its complex history.

Essential Gear for Urban Exploration  (That Works for Me)

Urbex conditions can be unpredictable; these are unmaintained buildings and sites, after all. But the right gear makes your exploration safer and your photography more effective.
You don’t need any top-of-the-line kit to get started. I use a mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens (14–24mm is great in tight interiors), a reliable tripod for low-light situations, and a couple of small torches or headlamps for darker spaces.

Protective equipment is a must; heavy-duty boots, gloves, dust masks, and durable clothing protect against hazards like rusted metal, broken glass, mold, or asbestos. And don’t forget your first aid kit with bandages and disinfectant! Minor injuries can easily happen so be prepared for scrapes or cuts with basic medical supplies.

I always pack light. You might need to move quickly or navigate narrow stairs, so everything I carry fits in a backpack I can swing around easily.

Tips for Shooting Strong Urbex Photos

My favourite images usually come from natural light. Early morning and late afternoon offer angled light that adds emotion and depth, especially when viewed through windows, cracks in walls, and holes in the roof. I avoid using flash unless it’s absolutely necessary, since it often flattens the texture I’m trying to capture. My approach, which I talk about in How I Found My Unique Urbex Photography Style, evolved organically through repeatedly exploring abandoned spaces and focusing deeply on the details that spoke to me.

Composition-wise, I look for leading lines like staircases, corridors, and windows. These architectural elements naturally draw the eye into the scene. But I also spend time hunting for the small stuff. A single, rusty key in the dust, or handwritten notes scattered on the floor. Quiet objects like these carry emotional weight. But really, there’s no single “right” way to do it. Explore freely, trust your instincts, and let each location guide you.

To balance lighting in tricky environments, I use exposure bracketing. This means taking several shots at different exposures and blending them later into a single HDR image. HDR helps me capture small details—in shadows, in bright spots, and especially through windows—that a single exposure simply couldn’t handle. It gives the images depth and texture, showing each place exactly how it felt when I stood there, and the result feels much closer to what I saw with my own eyes. For example, when looking at how nature reclaims properties, I use this to show the layering of the natural and the manmade.

Final Thoughts on Urbex Photography

Urbex photography is as much about how it feels as how it looks. The silence, the echoes, the sense of time folding in on itself all adds to the story your image tells.

The best advice I can give is to stay curious, stay cautious, and stay respectful. Every location has its own rhythm and its own rules, and there's no perfect formula. That’s what keeps it so fresh and exciting as a hobby.

Let each space guide you, embrace the unexpected, and focus on capturing moments that speak honestly about the past. Every abandoned building you explore is another chapter, another connection between you and a forgotten piece of the world.

Remember, you’re not just taking photos—you’re listening to what these forgotten places have to say.

Urban Exploration Photography Guide: How to Find, Shoot & Stay Safe in Abandoned Places