Welcome to my site, Whatevers Left. I set this up after I started becoming more active in what is known as ‘Urban Exploration’
Urban Exploration is described by wikipedia as ‘The examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization’
Call it a sport, a hobby, an interest, it’s what I like doing for a pastime. The photographic element obviously comes into it but its not the most important factor. Some of the best places I’ve been too have the worst set of photos.
How did you get into UE?
I was a teenager, I used to explore the local closed hospital. At the time I didn’t think much of it. I used to love going out and looking around the vast building site and the satisfaction of knowing what was behind those closed doors.
It was an early introduction into exploring at a time when the only camera I owned was a disc camera. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Time went on and the advent of the internet made me realise that that I wasn’t the only one with this fascination.
Since then I have visited many places, many buildings, met many people.
My site details many sites across the UK. I am fortunate to be in many parts of the country during the week so never miss an opportunity to take the camera out of the bag.
But Why?
For me too many places built in the past have been left to simply rot & decay into the background of modern society. Much of our historical architecture seems to be abandoned in this way. A good example is the Victorian asylums. Vast self contained and self sufficient buildings built to an impeccable standard were simply deemed unneeded and unwanted with the turn of better understanding of mental illnesses. Nobody really wants to be reminded of these buildings, within the walls hold many horror stories of people who spent lifetimes within them. We shouldn’t forget the people who suffered in them but we shouldn’t forget buildings like this that we simply won’t see again. Thankfully some have been converted but many more have been left to crumble.
You’ll ether appreciate the site or just wonder why I take such photos. Don’t worry you won’t be the only one, the wife doesn’t quite get it either.
Much can similarly be said about the many industrial buildings now decaying across the UK.
Our manufacturing industry of the 20th century is a distant memory but many mills and factory’s still dominate the sky lines around industrial towns and cities.
Urbex, as its more commonly known, appeals to many people and different buildings and places appeal to different persons.
Nobody makes the rules, nobody needs to. Urbex is different to each and everyone of us, that’s the beauty of it. The press seem to be the only ones who don’t like it and love a good story on how dangerous it is. In truth life always has its dangers and you make your own decisions.
Camera.
I currently shoot with:
Canon EOS 5D Mrk I Full Frame Digital SLR
Canon 17-40mm f/4 L Series Wide Angle Lens
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 Mrk III USM Telephoto Lens
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mk II Lens
Lensbaby Original
Hoya UV filter
With Thanks To
You all know who you are, thanks!
Contact Me
* Please note while I’ll always reply to any emails I’m not going to give you a full guide to access to buildings unless I know & trust you. I take no responsibility for any actions you may take upon viewing this site – if you plan to go and visit a site then please take care and be fully aware of what you are about to undertake before you start.
Copyright Notice
All words and photographs © www.whateversleft.co.uk unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Any use or re-transmission of text, images in this website without written consent of the copyright owner constitutes copyright infringement and is prohibited.