People may not last forever, but at least they can capture nature taking over what’s left behind. Bored Panda reached out to urban photographers Greg Abandoned and Jeroen Taal to learn what goes into documenting these moments. And apparently, all it takes is a burning curiosity and the courage to explore.
Both photographers have been pursuing their passion for almost a decade. “I started photographing abandoned places around 2017, though I would say it was 2018 when it really clicked for me,” Greg tells Bored Panda. “What first drew me to this hobby was a trip to Chornobyl. A two-day visit completely changed my perspective. It was like discovering a whole new world, one that I instantly fell in love with.”
“The aesthetic of abandoned spaces, the stories they carry, and the eerie beauty of nature reclaiming them—it felt like a child opening a Christmas gift,” he says. “That trip ignited my passion for urban exploration, and ever since, I’ve been on a mission to find more places like it.”
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Jeroen has been traveling to abandoned locations and capturing them since 2016. “What drew me to this type of photography is the fascinating interplay between human-made structures and nature’s persistent force to reclaim these spaces,” he says. “There’s something captivating about documenting these forgotten places, where architecture and nature create a unique harmony. Each abandoned location tells its own story of the past while showcasing nature's remarkable ability to adapt and thrive.”
During his adventures, Greg has explored the world—from Poland and Norway to Egypt—meticulously researching and finding hidden locations that others haven’t. However, he chooses not to disclose the exact spots where he takes his shots. As he explains, urban photographers invest significant time and effort in discovering these places, and sharing them openly is considered bad etiquette.
That said, he occasionally reveals the countries or offers vague descriptions of certain locations, often accompanied by incredible stories. One of his favorite shots, for instance, comes from an abandoned fishing village on a small island off the coast of China.
“The island was once bustling with activity, mainly due to its fishing industry, but by the 1990s, things began to change,” says Greg. “As China’s economy grew, priorities shifted. People moved inland in search of better opportunities, education, and a more modern lifestyle.”
“The island became gradually depopulated, with no dramatic event causing its decline—just a slow, natural transition,” he goes on. “Eventually, the local fishing industry became commercialized, making it economically unfeasible for the small community to continue. Now, it stands as an eerie yet beautiful testament to time and change, with nature overtaking the structures and the lush greenery slowly enveloping everything.”
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Jeroen takes special care in seeking out remnants of stunning architecture during his urban explorations, often going off the beaten path to find them. Tunisia, Scotland, Georgia, and Romania are just a few of the destinations he’s visited in search of forgotten history.
He has organized his photographs into dedicated series—like “Broken Roofs” and “Lost Sanctuaries.” My personal favorite is “Relics of Relaxation”—a collection of places that once provided entertainment and leisure. Abandoned theaters, villas-turned-hotels, and once-bustling culture houses now stand quiet and empty.
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But few sights evoke a stronger sense of abandonment than an entire settlement left to decay. That feeling is captured perfectly in this shot Jeroen took in a small village in Italy’s Campania region, near Salerno.
“I discovered this location while researching ghost villages in Southern Italy during my travel planning,” he says. “The timing turned out to be perfect—I arrived at dusk, when the warm light beautifully illuminated the ancient stone buildings against the mountainside. Since the path to the village looked quite challenging and daylight was fading, I used my drone to capture this perspective.”
“This allowed me to showcase how the abandoned buildings are literally clinging to the rocky cliffs while being gradually embraced by the surrounding vegetation,” Jeroen adds. “The aerial view really emphasizes how this forgotten village has become one with the mountain landscape.”
