Photography in Abandoned Buildings: Nature’s Reclamation
Exploring abandoned buildings has always fascinated me. There’s something special about seeing how nature takes over these forgotten places. The combination of decay and growth creates a powerful story that I aim to capture through my camera. This theme of nature reclaiming human-made structures is central to my work, and it’s something I think everyone can connect with and find meaning within.
Nature’s Reclamation in Forgotten Places
One of the most interesting aspects of abandoned buildings is watching how they change over time. The colors that emerge in the decay and the plant life—rust reds, bright oranges, mossy greens, and faded blues—tell a story of neglect and natural takeover. These colors show how time and nature transform a place, creating beauty in unexpected ways. For instance, seeing a tree growing in the middle of an old living room is a stark reminder that nature doesn’t wait for permission to thrive.
My photography aims to highlight this process. I want people to see that even in decay, there is beauty and life. Abandoned places are perfect for this because they show how nature can reclaim what humans have left behind, transforming it into something new and beautiful.
The Abandoned Children’s Hospital
One of the most memorable locations I’ve photographed is an abandoned children’s hospital in New York City. This place had been left untouched for years, and nature had completely taken over. Walking through the old wards, where children once played and slept, I saw trees growing on the upper floors. It was surreal and powerful to see nature reclaiming such a large building from the inside out. This experience was a turning point for me, showing the incredible power of nature to transform spaces.
Capturing the Interplay of Nature and Buildings
My photography style focuses on capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of these abandoned buildings. I use natural light as much as possible to highlight the textures and colors of both the decaying structures and the thriving plant life. Wide-angle lenses allow me to showcase the scale and impact of nature's reclamation, providing a broader context of how these elements interact. I often use HDR techniques to balance the contrasts between the dark interiors and the bright, invading greenery, ensuring that every detail is visible. This approach helps me to reveal the intricate dance between human-made environments and natural forces, capturing moments where decay and growth coexist in visual harmony.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away
Through my images, I hope to show that change, even when it seems negative, can bring its own kind of beauty. I want viewers to see that there’s something valuable in every stage of transformation. Abandoned buildings and forgotten places aren’t just relics of the past; they are canvases where nature paints its story.