I got busted this weekend.
When I set out of for my photo hike, I decided to just drive around looking for interesting stuff. That means old buildings, abandoned buildings.
There is an old gas station near Crestview. I’ve stopped there many… many times. Saturday, while I was circling around, trying to get different angles on shots, a truck pulled up in front of my car (which was definitely parked on the public right-of-way). Passenger’s side window rolled own and the driver asked if I “needed something.”
“No,” I said. “I’m just taking pictures. I thought this was an interesting old building.”
He then proceeded to inform me that I was on private property (no signs declaring intruders would be shot). I immediately said I would leave, and explained I didn’t know the site was anything other than an abandoned building.
Then he grumbled something about abandoned property is still owned by someone. I didn’t stay around to argue that point – by definition abandoned means “deserted.” And, I wasn’t inside the building, only shooting from the parking lot.
I will admit though, that there have been a few houses I thought were derelict, and slowed down to stop, only to realize they were actually inhabited.
Here are a few shots from my criminal trespassing outing.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, and/or iPhone4)
For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream
NaBloPoMo 24/30
Thin spiral notebook 
Even though it’s run down and abandoned, you can still see it’s history. Glad you managed to get some shots before you were run off!
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I have always wanted to do this. I never have time. There are many abandoned places down here in NC that could tell stories of the old days. Great job!
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Those are definitely eye-catching subjects for a photographer. We were sight-seeing and went to the top level of a parking garage the other day, where a security guard approached and told us we had to get permission to take pictures from up there. I got a great shot before he showed up, though.
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it is rare to find empty properties in the UK, land is such a premium here but I have come to realise that the same is not true of the USA, it seems to be an Urban Explorers heaven
mollyxxx
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Whoa, you’re bad ass! Fantastic shots!
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There’s really something special about the “run down” and “neglected” that makes for great photos!
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What beauty you got out of such derelict buildings. Glad you weren’t shot! HAHA
🙂
Traci
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Thank you, and me too (glad I wasn’t shot.)
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A good ice breaker would be to ask the man if he knew who owned the building and its historic value. Very cool photos, might be some even better ones inside!
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He didn’t seem like the sort to chat. My best choice was to just leave. He waited until I drove away before he left.
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I love your artwork, today. I suspect the fellow was remembering better times, and he was not too happy to have someone photograph the place that has seen much better days.
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After I left, I realized the guy never said he was the owner. I’ve never had a problem before, and I’ve photographed the old store half a dozen times.
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Love this…
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Thank you, I’m very glad you enjoyed the photos.
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