This a group for photographers who explore urban areas seeking a particular aesthetic.  It is not the modern, clean, well-ordered architecture or landscape environment nor it is a sentimental view of beauty: a flower, beautiful people, a loyal pet, a scenic vacation... it is a darker vision.  It is not necessarily urban as you can see from past meetups.  It has been a decommissioned navy base (Mare Island), former prison (Alcatraz), pet cemetery (Presidio), industrial shoreline (Pt. Richmond) and others.  All have common features of worn or abandoned buildings, rusted equipment, signs of past industry and forgotten history, graffiti-tagged, etc.  For the uninitiated it could look like old gritty places ready for the bulldozer, but for us there is beauty there ready to be captured in film/pixels.  There are some risks exploring these places but because of the various physical abilities of the members the risks here are minimum as long as you follow the host’s lead.  There is a sister group at yahoo that will trespass, climb fences, etc. but we don’t here.  There are other photography groups into photoshop, seminars, models, social outings, etc. that have more meetups than us but members here are free to make suggestions that the leadership team will consider.  

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Welcome! This is a group for photographers who share our particular aesthetic.

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  • Meetup
    Featured Meetup
    Price:
    $3.00 per person
    Danes Drive at entry to tunnel; parking lot on right side
    Sausalito Lateral: main road off 101 - map to come, Sausalito, CA (map)
    Last month near Pt. Bonita we explored Batteries (O'Rorke, Smith-Guthrie, Alexander, Wallace and Mendell) along with a couple abandoned structures not mapped. This month closer to Golden Gate Bridge the Batteries are: Hill 129, Kirby, Wagner, Spencer, and possibly Yates. I would say it's a little more hiking and elevation gain compared to... Learn more

    Hosted by: Digne (Organizer)

    • Digne
      Digne:

      Hill 88 looks good, Chris. Could combine it with nearby Battery Townsley and Fort Cronkhite for a 4-5 hr. meetup. Let's work on current intel for Hill 88 and Cronkhite, and maybe schedule this after Angel Is.

      Posted February 10 at 3:08 PM
    • Digne
      Digne:

      For those thinking about going on the waiting list, typically a third to half of the RSVP's dropout nearing the meetup date and sometimes I will drop a few who don't meet or refuse to meet the trip requirements.

      Posted Saturday at 12:26 PM
  • Meetup
    Featured Meetup
    Price:
    $3.00 per person
    RSVP deadline:
    Mar 13, 2012 6:00 PM
    Pier 33
    Pier 33, San Francisco, CA (map)
    Last year we did this in Nov. in what developed into a beautiful day but it was so crowded. In March the days are crisper with fewer tourists. If we can get 15 or more going we can ask the guides to give us a special tour of the hospital wing like last year. The hospital wing is usually open for the evening tour. Alcatraz Island has all the... Learn more

    Hosted by: Digne (Organizer)

    • Justin Schlesinger
      Justin Schlesinger:

      I spoke to my friend and unfortunatley her park ranger friend retired. So I don't know if we could speak to another ranger when we arrive and see if we could get a special tour?

      Posted February 8 at 9:27 AM
    • Digne
      Digne:

      @Justin: I wrote to the chief ranger on the island and she referred me to an assistant. So, I'm on it.

      Posted February 8 at 9:34 AM

Recent Meetups

  • January 22 at 1:00 PM, 5 Urban Explorers attended

    Marin Headlands and Batteries

    They rated it 5.00 5.004 (4 ratings) and uploaded 19 photos

    “

    Trying conditions but an adventurous group made it an enjoyable experience.

    —Digne

    “

    Totally enjoyable, despite the inclement weather we pressed on and found a lot of interesting subjects.

    —Paul Simcock

  • December 20, 2011 at 1:00 AM, 17 Urban Explorers attended

    Abandoned PG&E power station in Potrero Hill, SF
    This is the only other urban ruin that i know of aside from the train station in Oakland, which apparently is a pretty challenging site for a newbie. I'm not sure... Learn more

  • November 6, 2011 at 1:30 PM, 6 Urban Explorers attended

    Pt. Richmond to San Rafael - Sunday, Nov. 6

    They rated it 5.00 5.001 (1 ratings) and uploaded 36 photos

    Looking for a small and nimble group (6-8) to explore these two bayshore areas. There may be some overlap with the Pt. Richmond Environs meetup last year except that... Learn more

  • April 17, 2011 at 3:00 PM, 6 Urban Explorers attended

    Where's Crockett?

    They rated it 5.00 5.004 (4 ratings)

    “

    Great meetup: perfect weather, 3 varied locations, and fine group of explorers. ...

    —Digne

    “

    I enjoyed the meetup. It was fun and I met some great people. I also got some great shots. Thanks for setting it up, Digne. Sandrs

    —Sandra Negron

  • February 13, 2011 at 1:30 PM, 8 Urban Explorers attended

    Fort Point and Presidio

    They rated it 4.50 4.504 (4 ratings)

    “

    Started out with 8 at the Presidio. Lost a few people along the way but finished up with a determined 4 at the Show & Tell.

    —Digne

    “

    A good group of people, as always

    —Xan

See all past Meetups

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Art of Urban Exploration http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/d/0/5/global_17063813.jpeg
San Francisco, CA 94121
Founded Nov 21, 2009
20091121
Organizer:
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