This was my last exploration before the end of my love affair with HDR last autumn. Sadly, I didn't keep the originals and retain the ability to go back and re-edit them someday.

I thought this double house (one new, one weather-beaten grey) was an interesting location because it looks all secluded and desolate. But it actually sits on the edge of a very quickly expanding new subdivision with houses less than 100 m away.


A Road Less Travelled by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Encroachment by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

You would think that with the close proximity to new houses, and open access doors, it would have been vandalized to all heck inside by neighborhood kids. And yet, this is what awaited, leading the other explorer that I was with to exclaim, "Do the damn neighborhood kids today sit on their PS4 all day long now? This would have made for the coolest clubhouse ever!"


Missed Opportunity by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Other shots from around the property.... in retrospect, I dislike the glowy HDR, and "Unfinished Projects" is pukey and far too busy, but I'm living and learning.


Towering Grey by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Entry Shot by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Unfinished Projects by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Field Guide to North American Chupacabra by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Bicycle Fit For None by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



New Behind The Old by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Waiting to Intrude by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Leftovers Here and There by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Decay Creeps Forward by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



Unclean by Ground State Photos, on Flickr



A Surprise Glow by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Two more photos to end with. I was on a bit of an experimental kick so tried to finagle my first animated gif. And the person I was with commented as to why I never take any selfies, so I decided to cook a special one up for him when he was upstairs.





No Comment by Ground State Photos, on Flickr

Very good shots here, well done!

The gif definitely caught my eyes, though all of the others were also awesome. "Unclean" particularly stood out, with the yellow contrasting the grey. And is that actually skin on the "chubracabra" skeleton, or is it cloth?

As for the clubhouse comment... damn, I wish there was something like that where I grew up. You can bet I'd have used it as a clubhouse, to hell with structural integrity or safety. Can you imagine how awesome it would be? Conceal all entrances with brush, set up some home- made benches or scavenged chairs, slap a lookout platform on the roof with a pulley system to haul stuff up... That fort could be anything you could imagine.

Sorry, the "fort" perspective really brought out my inner kid. Thanks for that, and awesome pictures.

Great work GS!

I don't normally like HDR, sometimes it will kill a perfect picture to me, but I love a lot of these shots.

Awesome shots! "Waiting To Intrude" and the GIF are my favorites. I would totally return to this location with some darts and play a few games.

Nice stuff Ground State! Loved the selfie haha

Thanks all!

Posted by Aran And is that actually skin on the "chubracabra" skeleton, or is it cloth?

Yes, skin - a mummified layer.

Oh I KNOW there are haters of HDR. But, the way you have always done it has been what makes your photography special, appealing, different. I personally hate the thought of you doing anything more or less mainstream. Your HDR rocks and has always been your calling and I'm not afraid to say so

PS. The only one that might be a little over the top in this set is the black and white, But, i even find that one interesting!

Ground State has some of the most amazing urbex photos out there, not just in terms of content but image quality. I love his work!

Posted by MisUnderstood! the way you have always done it has been what makes your photography special, appealing, different.

Posted by Peptic Ulcer Ground State has some of the most amazing urbex photos out there, not just in terms of content but image quality. I love his work!

Many thanks for letting me know - seriously! Your comments are inspirational and come at a time when I coincidentally was thinking many of my threads aren't really worthy enough of being posted. So it means a lot to know that there is appreciation.

For every month that goes by without a photo from you I will strangle a kitten. You dont want that on your conscience do you? So save the poor kittens - post more!

Re: *Many thanks for letting me know - seriously! Your comments are inspirational

No, as i see it your photography is inspirational! I was actually upset when i saw you posted a regular thread. Not that the photos were not good. But, they didn't have that ZING, that WOW, that GS originality that comes from you alone. Keep doing what you excel at because most of us not only wish we could do it but LOVE it! and for Goodness sake don't make Mr. Ulcer kill cats. or i will have to kill him. Then you will have a lot of blood guilt on your hands.