Feel a bit of a kindred soul, somewhere in between…

No question, the older you get, the more likely it is you will not do the stupid, high risk things we do. Why? Simply put, careers, marriage and children make people age. When you are responsible for supporting others, especially children, your tolerance for risk plummets. I’ve seen it firsthand, countless times. I’m closing in on 50 and most of my peers think I’m nuts for still doing this. Most people my age think I have ‘Peter Pan Syndrome,’ that I refuse to act my age, but I look at them and see people who are living vicariously thru their children at best, or are already dead inside, at worst.

At my advanced age, I would much rather have permission to shoot a location than sneak in as well. Why? It’s just easier. I don’t have to concern myself with being sneaky and not using lights. I can lightpaint with abandon. Plus, if I ever decide to publish or show the work, I don’t have to worry about legal issues. Sneaking in still provides a thrill that’s a lot of fun, but at some point, as young photographers become older photographers, they realize that the reason they are taking pictures in these places is to take good pictures, and the first step towards taking good pictures is to not concern yourself with the logistics of not getting caught.

The mystery of sad and beautiful at the same time? It’s about pathos–most of these places are innocent in their abandonment. It’s not their fault they’re abandoned and forgotten, so it’s easy to pity them. It’s also about feeling your mortality, if these structures and places of man that were seemingly ‘built for the ages’ are crumbling and decaying, what does that say for our transient flesh? These places make us ask the ‘big questions’ of ourselves. Yes, it’s sad and beautiful. Poetic, even.

Can’t wait to see the statement. I know who you are.