As I entered the mud covered basement floor of an abandoned factory in Gary, Indiana; my heart started pounding as if it was about explode through my rib cage and out of my chest. I slowly moved around trying not to make much noise in FEAR that I would find a junkie or even something if the super natural sense.
A second set I stairs presented its self as if it was inviting me one level lower. As I trekked deeper below ground, I felt the air change and become much more stale and stagnant. When I reached the bottom two rooms sat divided but a concrete wall forcing me to make a decision.
After a moment to collect my thoughts the choice that I made was “Go right, it feels better”. Entering the room I noticed a mirror on the far wall. I started walking towards the end of the room and turned on my flashlight and pointed right at the mirror to find my reflection stating right back at me.
When you find yourself in a situation like this all logic starts to fade as FEAR takes over. No longer are you a rational person, but a visitor in a unknown alternate world. Considering the above, as I saw my reflection the only thing that crossed my mind was “THATS ANOTHER PERSON IN THE ROOM WITH ME!” I quickly shouted out and threw my flashlight behind me as if that was going to be a deterrent to my new found friend in the room with me.
After a minute to collect myself and realizing that it was just my reflection, I decided that was one of the best depictions of FEAR that I have encountered. I immediately set up my camera gear to recreate the scene that almost had me running out if there screaming.
The FEAR with in yourself.
OPENING NIGHT: TONIGHT
September 28th
6 – 10pm
Maxwell Colette Gallery
908 N. Ashland
#fear #explore #urbandecay #urban #urbanexplore #art #scary #halloween #fun #graphicnovel #story #chicago #explorechicago #trib2013 #fun #life #instagramhub #instafocus #instadaily #instamood #instagood #jj #gmy #allshots_ #tweegram #design #igers #igerschicago
so so awesome. I love that thumping in my chest, adrenaline rush…What a great photo! have a lovely opening night!!
@mimizinne Thanks so much D! These were a whole lot of fun to produce. This are super wide cinematic shots and I will be posting those up on my 500px site shortly if interested in seeing the full frame! Ill place a link in my profile!
yeah I’ll definitely check that out! awesome man
Intense! Love it!
Great, compelling read! Wow! I too would’ve run screaming like a girl!
Stunning. Great composition!
These shots were taken at a very wide angle to give more of a cinematic feel. To see the full frame not constricted by the square ratio check them out in my (500px.com/brandonexplores) site. Link at the top of my profile.
amazing! great scene you captured here
@roachbytes many thanks! Kinda what I was going for. If interested in the full frame click the link in my profile.
@thobanj Thanks Thoban! Glad you liked the story attached to the photo. Scared me to death. If interested in seeing the full frame check out the link in my profile.
@israel_r Thanks Israel! Had a great time working on these! Full frame over at my 500px site. Link in profile if interested!
@kcokcoli Many many thanks! Was going for a cinematic kinda feel. To see the full frame of this check out my link in my profile! Thanks again more to come!
Amazing. Thank you for this!
Interesting
@skelletore No, thank you for liking it and commenting! These were a ton if fun to produce. Scary.. But fun! More to come! Full frame at link in my profile.
Great pic
@skelletore Thanks much! My go at some visual story telling.
Yeah definitely. I’m on 500px too so I’ll add you. Thanks! Great work once again!
@pr_fresh Many many thanks! If interested you can view the full frame at the link in my profile
It is such a primal experience, when it grabs you you cannot fake it, you must accept it, embrace it. Intoxicating and addictive. Thank you.
Defs gonna check it out!
@drasticdro Many many thanks! If interested in the full frame check out the link in my profile!
Awe. Some.
@cheekymvl you said it best! It’s of the most addictive things I have ever experienced! Thanks so much! Full frame at the link in my profile if interested!
Awesome! I just stumbled upon your profile randomly, but I’ll be staying! It’s right up my alley. Have you ever gone on a ghost town road trip? In the province that I live in, we have a bunch of them down south and they make for amazing pictures (and memories). Creepy as hell.
@davidbender Thanks David! This series was a whole lot of fun to produce! More to come! Oh! Full frame at link in my profile if interested!
Dude! That full frame is superb! The light & mood is epic – love the way you’ve captured your reflection in that mirror!
Most definitely! Thanks. Also, how do you even go about finding abandoned places to explore? I find it so fascinating but wouldn’t even know where to begin. If you don’t want to give away any secrets it totally understand. ✌️
@skelletore Thanks! Glad yah dig! I have never been on a ghost town road trip but it sounds exciting! Where down south do you speak of? I am originally from SC. Been here in Chicago 4 years almost. I remember some creepy places back home!
Excellent work, Brandon! Really inspiring.
@thobanj much appreciated man! I felt the full frame captures the scene better!
@davidbender no problem at all man! I just do lots of research on the net. Then go to the location and scope it a few times first. Then make a game plan and return with my gear!
Definitely! Excellent work man! Keep it up!
@werd_iz Thanks man! Has been fun producing these. I see you’ve been down in Gary as well. Stay tuned to see my interpretation of the area. Full frame up at link in my profile if interested!
Awesome! Thanks for the tips Brandon. Your work is fantastic. I think I’ll start scoping things out.
I live in Alberta, Canada. It borders Montana & Idaho (I think?). The southern part of our province has a handful of tiny little abandoned towns, mostly coal mine. One town in particular has an abandoned school & 2 churches. Fully accessible. I put up a couple pics this morning, and there’s a bunch way way back on my page. I’m really enjoying your skyline pics right now. Very inspirational. Thanks again!
This is exactly how i felt like exploring the undergrounds and abandoned buildings in old sacramento, i was just waiting for some methhead to pop out and murder me lol
Really captured something here.
@skelletore ohhhh awesome! I will have to check it out next time I am up in Canada! That sounds really exciting! I’ll check the pics out and hit yah up when I roam north and into Canada! ;] Thanks for the kind words also!
@iamteremok haha awesome man! I have no doubt. Every experience is something slightly different than the last but that’s what draws me to it I guess! The unknown.
@virginvibes Thanks much! Full frame up at the link in my profile if interested! ✌️
#selfie #selfportrait #portrait
Awesome I love it
Nice very nice.
Just got chills just from reading it!
Love it
Looks just like a scene straight out of uncharted
So excited to see this stuff in person. Looks awesome, man!
@itsromant Thanks Roman! Appreciate that! Full frame up at link in my profile if interested!
@nancidouthit Many many thanks! Had a lot of fun producing these shots! Full frame at link in my profile, if interested!
@thedanmarino Thanks Dan! Glad the writings stirred something up in yah! Full frame at link in my profile if interested!
@mabephotography Many many thanks! These were fun to make! Full frame up over on my 500px site. Link in profile
@bromar1 haha it kinda does! I can totally see what you mean! If interested in seeing the full frame link is in my profile!
@loo_rahh Thanks Lura! Excited to see yah at the show tonight! Hope yah like the rest if the work!
Definitely do so! I hope to uncover more hidden gems by that time.
Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration
Wow… That’s crazy!
@dustypaynts
Congrats on the gallery, I’ll have to make it over there!