2011-01-19

The Kingston Lounge

"Guerrilla preservation and urban archaeology. Brooklyn and beyond."

Many of us who live in the city don't really get curious about those cordoned off, abandoned buildings, or the condemned structures just outside of town. We routinely pass them by, not even sparing a glance in their direction; to us, they are just another spacewaster that need not take up room in our thoughts. For a small few, however, these locations are almost irresistible.

It's somewhat well known by the name of 'urban exploring.' This type of exploration involves finding old, abandoned, condemned, or otherwise interesting and relatively recent man-made structures, and exploring them like one would a cave. Often, it is a personal hobby, and pleasure comes only to those willing to physically seek it. Once in a blue moon, though, the rest of us get lucky to find people like Richard Nickel, Jr., the writer and photographer of The Kingston Lounge.
"The gantry crane at sunset..." -Richard Nickel, Jr.

Mr. Richard Nickel likes to rediscover those urban settings that have so recently been lost to us. He captures images of these places with stunning, yet subtle, precision and artistic prowess. These are not just the Kodak disposable-camera pictures of a hobbyist, but rather the incredibly professional and beautiful captures of a seasoned photographer.

The big question that seems to arise in the comments section of this blog is just how he garnered the permission to enter into these usually prohibited sections of the world. Two thoughts come to mind: he is either an exceedingly good talker, or he's an menacingly sneaky photographer. Regardless, the work Nickel produces is sure to pique your curiosity, and intrigue all the way to the last paragraph.

Interested yet in seeing a part of your world that you didn't even know was there? Then check out The Kingston Lounge, and see just what you've been missing out on.

40 comments:

  1. I checked out the blog and it's very cool. :)

    One question: how do you choose a blog to feature on Blogographer?

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  2. There's a big all but abandoned industrial region in my city that I've always wanted to explore just through a morbid curiosity more than anything. They come across to me as modern ruins which I personally think is fascinating!

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  3. He probably just bribes local authorities.

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  4. @Sarah: I choose from many of the blogs I've found around the internet. The blog has to have many qualities, some of which I only subconsciously pick up, I'm sure. Some of the obvious ones are at least decent grammar, spelling, etc.; great content; and a writer who is really into what he or she writes.

    @rego87: Indeed! That sounds like the urban explorer budding inside of you, haha.

    @Metatron: Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. :P

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  5. Wow some of the images on that blog are amazing, like the scales with roots growing over them and the bare room with peeling paint with nothing but a mattress-less bed.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Those places are creepy!
    Interesting post Randall

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  7. I'd like to think that he's just sneaky. I think that takes more skill/practice than convincing people of things. Mostly because there's so much literature about conversing, and it's legal.

    Off to check out his blog.

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  8. @GeekRevolution: Indeed! I am quite a fan of urban landscapes myself, but that may just be because I have always been a city man myself. What about you?

    @Hom Diddly: I know, right?! Those images are almost ominous, and surreal. Thank Mr. Nickel for sharing, not me; I am merely providing another outlet for his amazing blog.

    @Futuristic Investor: Thank you, heh. Creepy indead, but also a bit beautiful, don't you think?

    @The Wyrmden: Haha, nice take on it. I think so, as well, seeing as I mentioned it in my post. What sort of methods do you think he relies on, though?

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  9. hey amazing stuff here. just got back to blogging, will try to be more active!

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  10. Sunsets make everything look beautiful.

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  11. @Smatchimo: That's good to hear! Blogging can be really quite rewarding, and considering I write a blog about blogs, you can tell just how much I love them!

    @Ben: Indeed it does, Ben.

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  12. It's amazing what becomes of these homes when no one is left to care for them. Makes me wonder what would happen to my home 100 years from now.

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  13. @Master Maniacal: Perhaps someone will still be living in it? ;P

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  14. Wow, really nice blog you have there man

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  15. A blog about blogs... a surprisingly good read, actually. Loved the pictures.

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  16. Living in a city is pretty nice.

    http://hans-mylife345.blogspot.com/

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  17. wow, i really like those photos. something about the decay of manmade structures as nature overcomes is just really cool to me. it's actually a big reason why I enjoy post-apocalyptic movies.

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  18. it's interesting to watch those buildings indeed, unfortunately, in Holland, they're always too protected to go have a proper look.

    velimas.blogspot.com

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  19. @kefmaster: Thanks, I appreciate the compliment.

    @Some Guy: Haha, gracias. I'm glad it didn't disappoint. Thank Mr. Nickel for the pictures. :P

    @Hans: It is, haha. Take it a from a city guy like myself. Also, I checked out your blog; I love MineCraft!

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  20. @Natural Peanut Butter: Yeah, I'm a fan of post-apocalyptic movies myself.

    @Velimas: Haha. Holland sucks, then. :P

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  21. Very interesting read.

    tothecatacombsbelow.blogspot.com

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  22. Wow, this is interesting. I've always wanted to do some urban exploring. Followed.

    http://rhetoricrants.blogspot.com/

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  23. @The Inquisitor: Thank you, I'm glad to hear you were interested.

    @Snuggs: Then go out and do it! There's no reason you shouldn't do what you love!

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  24. @Poetry of the Day: It is! I love it.

    @CrazyJuan: 'Nifty' eh? :P

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  25. @Dudemeister: Yes, it is. That's why I chose it, haha.

    @Rankulus: 'Nuff said indeed.

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  26. @Bart: That's what everyone says, haha.

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  27. I think he had some inside exclusive rights or something, or he's a stealth photographer!

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  28. Love the review, sir. The grain silos around rural bits of the country are likewise interesting. Abandoned or not, everything has a story.

    Follow't, etcetera.

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  29. @teampl4yer: He -is- the photographer! :P Kinda crazy, eh?

    @Raconteur Ordinaire: Indeed it does. It's good that someone's there to tell it for them.

    @Gamerman's Gaming Blog: Thanks for the follow!

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  30. Very cool indeed, read about this kinda stuff a few years ago would be awesome to do.

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