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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location. (Viewed 2530 times)
Apollo Mey 


Location: Atlanta TX
Gender: Male
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It's all about the context!

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The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< on 4/17/2019 8:02 PM >
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I plan on finding an owner to a local abandonment and getting permission to get some pictures there. What sort of impression should I give off when asking? Do I send an email or call? Would asking neighboring stores who the owners are appropriate?

Edit* (PS. This is the first time I would've asked, and that I might need to get used to it on the future, so I don't get kicked out of trade school if things go south



[last edit 4/17/2019 8:04 PM by Apollo Mey - edited 1 times]

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blackhawk 

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Location: Mission Control
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UER newbie

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 1 on 4/17/2019 8:21 PM >
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Face to face.
Be explicit why you want to shot it.
Helps to show a sincere interest in it and know it's history.
Offer to share shots with them.
Youth is not in your favor.
You need to feel them out and play by their rules to the letter; trust is earned over time by your actions.

Don't waste the time for trash sites...




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
The Dead Hooker In Your Trunk 


Location: MSP
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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 2 on 4/17/2019 8:26 PM >
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Posted by blackhawk
Face to face.
Be explicit why you want to shot it.
Helps to show a sincere interest in it and know it's history.
Offer to share shots with them.
Youth is not in your favor.
You need to feel them out and play by their rules to the letter; trust is earned over time by your actions.





solid advice, Be respectful, be up front share what you have with them. not much more I can add.




The homeless are friends not food.
Apollo Mey 


Location: Atlanta TX
Gender: Male
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It's all about the context!

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 3 on 4/17/2019 8:56 PM >
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Thank you both! Should I bring my exploring partner along for the face too face or should it just be me and whoever they are?




The closest I'll ever be to exploring a fantasy dungeon!
blackhawk 

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 4 on 4/17/2019 9:04 PM >
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Posted by Apollo Mey
Thank you both! Should I bring my exploring partner along for the face too face or should it just be me and whoever they are?


Don't push your luck. Adding another will probably make things harder.
It will most likely be a tough sell to begin with until you can establish some trust.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Apollo Mey 


Location: Atlanta TX
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 31 likes


It's all about the context!

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 5 on 4/17/2019 10:48 PM >
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I see. For good measure, I'll wait for ten more days, and Ill try. Thanks again! And wish me luck!




The closest I'll ever be to exploring a fantasy dungeon!
The Dead Hooker In Your Trunk 


Location: MSP
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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 6 on 4/17/2019 11:06 PM >
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also having a GOOD reason to photograph it would also help, and the more you know about him and the history of the property the better.
I see you having a hard time pulling it off if you:
- don't have a good reason to be there/photograph it.
- Not apart of a well known business.
- young and not apart of a school project.
- and if it doesn't benefit the property owner.

If you are able to conquer those, and sweet talk him then I think you have better shot, most property owners in my experience are pretty nice, but skeptical of photographers.




The homeless are friends not food.
Aran 


Location: Kansas City
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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 7 on 4/18/2019 1:03 AM >
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Also, do your research to understand what any possible future plans for the location might be. I've been shot down before because of potential liability issues due to upcoming renovation work, and I know people who have been denied access by city government officials because they were worried the photographer in question would damage the city's image by associating it with urban decay.




"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

Steed 


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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 8 on 4/18/2019 1:42 AM >
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And if they reject it, don't go and explore it with explicit nonpermission afterwards.

Hence the expression "It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission."




blackhawk 

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 9 on 4/18/2019 2:10 AM >
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Posted by Steed
And if they reject it, don't go and explore it with explicit nonpermission afterwards.

Hence the expression "It's better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission."


Use it for high risk, high value shoots.
Don't go nuts trying to shoot a low value site.
I tried it with Beth but wasn't willing to shell out a grand or more for restricted access.
So... I shot the hell out of it trespassing.

However getting permission got me into sites under demo or reconstruction with no limits.
It would have been impossible to do these otherwise, would have been severely limited or in one case a "friendly" FBI visit would have ended not so well.
Don't get so sneaky you miss a better way in...




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Apollo Mey 


Location: Atlanta TX
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 31 likes


It's all about the context!

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 10 on 4/18/2019 4:52 AM >
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The area is connected and around some high risk facilities, but I do believe some photographers got caught by police at the entrance and the police offered to go and and shoot photos on the inside for them. Im not sure how much of that is true, but could that hint that perhaps the building is owned by a law enforcement agency? (I apologize if I used the wrong term)



[last edit 4/18/2019 4:52 AM by Apollo Mey - edited 2 times]

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randomesquephoto 


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Don't be a Maxx

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 11 on 4/18/2019 6:59 AM >
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There was one time I called a property owner of an abandoned building. He didn't let me shoot his building, but gave me a bunch of info on other abandoned places in the area. That was cool.




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Dee Ashley 


Location: DFW, Texas
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Write something and wait expectantly.

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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 12 on 6/9/2019 9:58 PM >
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I always offer the owner original copies of my photos of the location. This alone works about 50% of the time.

I also always honor of any promises or agreements I make with them. I was caught last year by some really cool owners that let me stick around and photograph the property, but they asked me not to share the location with anyone and to keep any photos I shared anonymous. I respected their wishes and did not share the location with anyone, not even friends that I trust completely. The likelihood of that property owner allowing me back or possibly providing me with more useful info in the future is pretty good because I kept my word.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
neiloffthegrid 


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Re: The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location.
< Reply # 13 on 7/1/2019 10:57 PM >
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Seems most tips have been covered. If you do get permission, as if you can share the owner’s contact info with law enforcement if an issue arises. I have had police stop me and let me go after I offered the owner’s contact info. Just offering usually is enough to show the police you have permission.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > The Do's and Don'ts when getting permission to explore a location. (Viewed 2530 times)


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