urbex
Abandoned building photography
Urbex is short for urban exploration—the hobby of exploring abandoned or off-limits man-made structures like factories, hospitals, tunnels, and rooftops.
Practitioners document decay and hidden spaces, often trespassing to access them: The urbex community shares photos of derelict asylums.
Also called urban spelunking.
Abandoned or neglectful
- forsakenCompletely abandoned or discarded
- desertedLeft behind, uninhabited
- vacantWithout an occupant
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
forgotten · uninhabited · empty · ghostly · haunted · eerie · silent · desolate
Unauthorized presence on property
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- rooftoppingClimbing structures for photos
- permissionGranted right to act
security · locked · fenced · breach · entry · stealth · lookout · scout
Industrial production facility
- asylumShelter from persecution
- sanatoriumFacility for prolonged recovery
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
catacomb · sewer · school · warehouse · powerplant · theater · hotel · prison
Ruined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- overgrownExcessively covered in vegetation
rot · peeling · rust · corrosion · collapse · erosion · patina · weathered
Attaching identifying markers
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- muralsLarge wall paintings
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- throwupsRapid graffiti lettering style
pieces · aerosol · writers · bombing · layers · vandalism · art · color
Image capturing device
- tripodStabilizing support structure
- long-exposureExtended shutter duration
- HDRExtended luminance technique
- flashlightPortable electric lamp
wide-angle · composition · contrast · shadow · framing · documentation · timelapse · portrait
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- structuralRelating to building framework
- collapseSudden structural failure
- squattersUnauthorized occupants of property
- guard-dogsCanines trained for security
arrest · injury · tetanus · dust · darkness · isolation · respirator · flashlight
derelict
Abandoned or neglectful
ruins · forgotten · uninhabited · empty · ghostly · haunted · eerie · silent · desolate · relic
trespassing
Unauthorized presence on property
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- rooftoppingClimbing structures for photos
permission · security · locked · fenced · breach · entry · stealth · lookout · scout · arrest
factory
Industrial production facility
- asylumShelter from persecution
- sanatoriumFacility for prolonged recovery
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
bunker · catacomb · sewer · school · warehouse · powerplant · theater · hotel · prison · subway
dilapidated
Ruined through neglect
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
overgrown · rot · peeling · rust · corrosion · collapse · erosion · patina · weathered · reclamation
tagging
Attaching identifying markers
- spraypaintPressurized pigment in cans
- muralsLarge wall paintings
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
throwups · pieces · aerosol · writers · bombing · layers · vandalism · art · color
camera
Image capturing device
- tripodStabilizing support structure
- long-exposureExtended shutter duration
- HDRExtended luminance technique
flashlight · wide-angle · composition · contrast · shadow · framing · documentation · timelapse · portrait
asbestos
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- structuralRelating to building framework
- collapseSudden structural failure
- squattersUnauthorized occupants of property
guard-dogs · arrest · injury · tetanus · dust · darkness · isolation · respirator · flashlight
explorer
One who investigates unfamiliar regions
GPS · secrecy · ethics · preservation · respect · history · storytelling · adventure · thrill · discovery
urbexguided tour
Escorted group sightseeing experience
museum visit · heritage tourism · open house · tourist attraction
Journeying through undeveloped natural areas
outdoor recreation · bushcraft · national park visit · ecotourism · camping
- urban legendsWidely circulated false stories
- urban lifeMetropolitan way of living
- urban mythFalse story believed widely
- urban migrationPopulation movement toward cities
- urban sprawlUncontrolled peripheral development
- urban decayCity infrastructure deterioration