If there’s one thing I’ve learned as I’ve continued to explore the online world of social media and blogging, the one hobby that seems to go hand-in-hand with many of the individuals involved is photography.
My boss shared the Opacity website with me and he was intrigued by the images that were caught on film of the numerous buildings and other man-made structures that have since begun their retreat back to the dust from which they’ve come.
Once a building no longer serves its purpose, and all of its functionality ceases to exist, it becomes truly fascinating. Each room is transforming into something new at its own rate, yielding to the forces of nature as it reclaims man’s creation.
The corrosion and decay paint vibrant colors across otherwise dull surfaces, lit only by natural sunlight spilling into the spaces at unaccustomed angles. Each object left behind becomes more significant than it has ever been, hinting at the life prior to its disuse. Floors collapse and walls cave in without care; if you get hurt, no one is here to help you.
This is a lonesome alien world whose dark corners and peeling walls have gotten a hold of me and many others; this affinity for derelict structures and often dangerous excitement is the core essence of urban exploring, in my opinion.
On the one side you’ve got places that most of civilization has forgotten and doesn’t see anymore. On the other, you’ve got models in a still life that can speak volumes about the civilization that’s being left behind and forgotten.
Even adding more to the thousands of words that are being spoken by these images, is the fact that many of the locations photographed are old hospitals, asylums, hospitals and morgues.