Abandoned Places: the Art of Lost Spaces

Posted by J M on December 12, 2021

Treasure Island, San Francisco, United States

There is something mysterious, beautiful even haunting about abandoned places. Spaces and structures that once had use but now feel the cold glare of time. While, growing up in the American mid-west vast expanses of industrial and residential developments gave way to a now almost post-apocalyptic scene captured by talented photographers. The decay has hit an accelerated pace as massive global population, boom-and-bust industry and changing demands have discarded these once growing worlds. A documentation of this transformation has yielded a rich harvest of non-traditional imagery (perfect as dark inspiration).

Abandoned places photography and post-apocalyptic photography are two distinct but related genres of art that focus on capturing the beauty and mystery of abandoned or dilapidated buildings, structures, and landscapes. These types of photographs often evoke a sense of mystery, isolation, and decay, and can be both haunting and captivating to viewers.

One of the key features of abandoned places photography is the sense of abandonment and neglect that is conveyed through the images. These photographs often depict abandoned buildings, factories, schools, and other structures that have been left to deteriorate over time. The sense of decay and neglect that is captured in these photographs can be evocative and poignant, and can speak to the passage of time and the impermanence of all things.

Post-apocalyptic photography is a subgenre of abandoned places photography that focuses on depicting the aftermath of some sort of catastrophic event, such as a nuclear war or natural disaster. These photographs often feature desolate landscapes and abandoned buildings, and are meant to evoke a sense of loss and despair. They often have a dystopian or post-apocalyptic theme, and may include elements such as radiation symbols, collapsed buildings, and other signs of destruction and decay.

Overall, abandoned places photography and post-apocalyptic photography are powerful and evocative forms of art that can capture the beauty and mystery of abandoned and derelict spaces. They often speak to themes of loss, decay, and the impermanence of all things, and can be both haunting and captivating to viewers.

abandoned to desert