Chapter 1-AbuseA book, sitting on a window sill, is opened to Chapter 1: Abuse

     Among the friends I have, a group of them are adventurous photographers. We are all scattered throughout the state, but we have one common interest that draws us together for new adventures in urban exploration. Some of them live near the areas we explore, and are able to look into the building or area before we put ourselves in harm's way. Of the places we have visited, not one had felt unsafe in,...until this one. Keeping in groups is usually the safest means of travel, but for this shot, I had found myself alone. I was very fearful for my safety at this point, but the book kept me there for a few more seconds.

     This book was among many in this classroom. There were books scattered all over the floor, some were still in book cases, and then there were these, spread across the window sill of a shattered window. We were exploring the Colin Powell Academy in Detroit, Michigan. While seeking the largest room in the abandoned school, we went through some of the rooms. When I came across this room, there was an eerie sense of quiet in the building. We typically communicate with each other all throughout an abandoned building just for the sake of safety. This book had really caught my attention though, and when I saw what page was hanging open, I knew I had to capture it. Chapter 1: Abuse. What a peculiar page to have been left in this position; in a school that has since been left behind, abandoned. The paper was yellowed and stiffened by the constant bombardment of the outside elements, yet the words stood out for attention.

     Shortly after capturing this shot, I moved toward the doorway, seeking the company of my fellow photographers...all I found was the same strange quiet...that, and the two unknown guys standing right outside of the same window I was photographing the book. They were looking into the window, and we made eye contact. It was time to find my friends! I texted one of them, and they got back with me almost right away, and we were reunited on the next floor up, where they had found the room we all sought: The gym. We continued our exploration, but I refused to let any of them out of my sight again. None-the-less, another great place to visit, a lot of photos taken, and time spend with friends of a common interest.