Urban Exploration: Don Valley Brick Works

RGO

It was in operation on a major scale for over 100 years, closing in the 80's. It's been "sitting" ever since and is scheduled to be part of a major restoration and reclamation plan of the area.

All light is natural through the holes in the roof and walls. No cropping as I tried to keep as much in the shot as possible...there's something to look at in any direction....

http://rickoliverphotography.com

djames

I love this shot. Did you take more? Makes one stop and think about what it must have been when they had it in operation.

RGO

djames wrote:

I love this shot. Did you take more? Makes one stop and think about what it must have been when they had it in operation.

This shot is from the main kiln area, it looked like there were originally a dozen or so ovens that were 300 feet or so long, the tracks on the floor indicate where the "trains" of bricks were brought in. The complex is huge, made up of lots of different sized buildings in a variety of conditions, some safe, some, well you just don't want to go in for a look....

Here's another image, more on my site in the Urban galleries....

http://rickoliverphotography.com

Aaron Bernard

Looks great! I love it. Did you bring a tripod in or go hand held?

schmoo

RGO,

I always am drawn to the contrast of the dark, decaying interiors and bright sunlight that pours in through the holes. I think you've captured that very nicely in your set.

As an active urban explorer myself, I have to ask.... do you think that it is safe to give the name and location of your site on a public forum? I can see that this place has already been vandalized and is probably a popular haunt for locals, but as much as I dislike many social practices of some UErs I do have to agree that publically sharing specific pieces information not only endangers the buildings that are in precarious situations, but makes the hobby more difficult for future explorers.

I apologize if I sounded lecturey! It is a touchy topic....

s

RGO

schmooo wrote:

RGO,

I always am drawn to the contrast of the dark, decaying interiors and bright sunlight that pours in through the holes. I think you've captured that very nicely in your set.

As an active urban explorer myself, I have to ask.... do you think that it is safe to give the name and location of your site on a public forum? I can see that this place has already been vandalized and is probably a popular haunt for locals, but as much as I dislike many social practices of some UErs I do have to agree that publically sharing specific pieces information not only endangers the buildings that are in precarious situations, but makes the hobby more difficult for future explorers.

I apologize if I sounded lecturey! It is a touchy topic....

s

Thanks schmooo, for pointing out that I am exposing the site publicly (far too many have done it already), your point is well taken. As an avid UE enthusiast I deserve a kick in the pants for that. I've made some corrections in this thread and on my site to make the site more anonymous.

I'm just pleased y'all are enjoying the photo set.

Rick

http://rickoliverphotography.com/

RGO

Aaron Bernard wrote:

Looks great! I love it. Did you bring a tripod in or go hand held?

We shot hand held.....forgot the tri and mono in my truck when we got there!

Thanks....glad you like the shots!

Rick

http://rickoliverphotography.com/