Posted by UberDan This right here sums up the whole argument. We box our selfs in with the idea that we have to break the law to be an urban explorer. I personally prefer exploring places illegally, but I would never turn down an opportunity to try something new.

Illegal means looking over your shoulder a lot and not always seeing/shooting all you want to.
Plus potential repercussions from the images themselves.
One 'good' arrest will probably make you rethink that. Arrests aren't cheap... I rather buy a new L lense or pay the car insurance for a year.

As for gaining permission, rarely is it just handed to you without some effort on your part but it does happen sometimes.
I was discreetly trespassing on RR property once shooting an active switch house. The operator saw me, my fat lense and invited me inside briefly to shoot... the control room.

Posted by blackhawk Illegal means looking over your shoulder a lot and not always seeing/shooting all you want to. Plus potential repercussions from the images themselves. One 'good' arrest will probably make you rethink that. Arrests aren't cheap... I rather buy a new L lense or pay the car insurance for a year. As for gaining permission, rarely is it just handed to you without some effort on your part but it does happen sometimes. I was discreetly trespassing on RR property once shooting an active switch house. The operator saw me, my fat lense and invited me inside briefly to shoot... the control room.

I'm aware of the consequences. Anything could happen. I make judgement calls when they are needed.

It might not help me anyways, but I don't climb fences or open doors that are locked. Any kind of force required to get it I stay away from.

As far as the images go, I don't know about that.

Posted by UberDan I'm aware of the consequences. Anything could happen. I make judgement calls when they are needed. It might not help me anyways, but I don't climb fences or open doors that are locked. Any kind of force required to get it I stay away from. As far as the images go, I don't know about that.

There has been member charged with B&E for simply turning a door knob and walking inside.
Or a 13 yo mistaking a tripod for a rifle...
Consequences seem at lot more real when you're facing felony charges, have your car impounded and shell out $1100 plus a lot of wasted time and aggravation... and that was with a good outcome.

I'm not saying don't splore but any foul up can get expensive in more ways than one.
It may be a decade or more until the full extent of the damage you did to yourself is known.
Been there, done it.

Control the heat.
Be sure the risk is really worth it.
Use legal means when possible.
¤ Know when to and never hesitate to bug out if the physical risk becomes too great ¤

Posted by blackhawk There has been member charged with B&E for simply turning a door knob and walking inside. Or a 13 yo mistaking a tripod for a rifle... Consequences seem at lot more real when you're facing felony charges, have your car impounded and shell out $1100 plus a lot of wasted time and aggravation... and that was with a good outcome. I'm not saying don't splore but any foul up can get expensive in more ways than one. It may be a decade or more until the full extent of the damage you did to yourself is known. Been there, done it. Control the heat. Be sure the risk is really worth it. Use legal means when possible. ¤ Know when to and never hesitate to bug out if the physical risk becomes too great ¤

I appreciate the concern. I still have a lot to learn. I've heard the stories and I expect the worst when I explore. Grant it, the cases you point out are uncommon, except for any illnesses related to exploring with asbestos/mold and other good stuff. I wear a mask when I need it and I avoid anything that is too much for me to handle. We all die eventually, there is only so much you can do.

Maybe what you said is something everyone else should know, I'm not the only one doing it.

Posted by UberDan I appreciate the concern. I still have a lot to learn. I've heard the stories and I expect the worst when I explore. Grant it, the cases you point out are uncommon, except for any illnesses related to exploring with asbestos/mold and other good stuff. I wear a mask when I need it and I avoid anything that is too much for me to handle. We all die eventually, there is only so much you can do. Maybe what you said is something everyone else should know, I'm not the only one doing it.

Most of us here are adrenaline junkies...