Tag Archives: indiegogo

American Urbex: Southern Slide

American Urbex: Southern Slide

American Urbex is getting back into the saddle and heading south.

Thanks to the support of American Urbex contributors this site has been able to document wonderful urbex locations with rich histories. With the help of IndieGoGo, American Urbex was able raise enough to fund trips during the past two summers. The first took us to Gary, Indiana and the second to Cleveland, Ohio.

This summer American Urbex would like to break out of the upper midwest. Cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Montgomery, Memphis, St. Louis and the small rural communities along the way have urbex locations with histories just waiting to be told. Your contribution to American Urbex will help document those under appreciated and neglected places.

Contributor funding goes directly to offset the cost of gas, lodging, and food. Whatever remains is poured back into donor fulfillment and administrative costs for online services. Want proof? Here is how American Urbex spent its funds in 2011.

No amount is insignificant. Everything is appreciated. Head on over to the American Urbex: Southern Slide page on IndieGoGo to make your donation.

Donate Now to American Urbex: Southern Slide

You can show your support in other ways, too.:

Purchase an American Urbex Print on Etsy.
Subscribe to the American Urbex Podcast on iTunes or YouTube.
Follow @AmericanUrbex on Twitter.
Like American Urbex on Facebook.
Join the American Urbex Group on Flickr.
Email americanurbex /at /gmail /dot /com with your questions.

Thank you,
Ken Fager
American Urbex

UPDATES:

01/18/2012 – Thank you to Matt N. and an anonymous donor who have contributed to the American Urbex: Southern Slide fundraising effort. You guys won’t be disappointed if the $500 goal is attained.

01/26/2012 – Thanks are in order for David Smith, Kyle Taylor, and another anonymous donor for their support. The goal is in sight!

02/01/2012 – Special thanks to John Sagehorn and Ariel Powers-Schaub for their direct contributions.

03/01/2012 – It took three years but we finally were able to make the set fundraising goal on IndieGoGo! Many thanks to Greg Valiga for putting American Urbex over the top. Belated thanks are also due for Rick Drew and another anonymous donor. The effort isn’t over though. There is still plenty of time to make this the most urbexenist (sorry) summer ever.

03/25/2012 – Thanks are in order for my extended family for the Quaker Oats container with a mysterious sum of cash. I had no idea any of you actually followed any of what I do.

05/06/2012 – THANK YOU!

The grand total for the fundraising effort is $735.61! This is the first time in three attempts that the goal on IndieGoGo has been met. $505 came through that channel. Another $230.61 came from direct contributions. Funders can expect something nice in their mailboxes later this year.

So what happens now? The money will be used to fund a trip sometime this summer around July or August. The exact itinerary is still up in the air, but hopefully that will lead to more spur of the moment explorations. The important thing is that whatever is found along the way will be shared with others.

Thank you again. I can’t wait to create something dirty/beautiful.

Infiltration Summer

Bowling Lanes

Infiltration Summer was a massive success thanks to the support of American Urbex readers and donors. Without your help it would not have been possible. I was able to photograph a mansion, a church, two schools, and a handful of industrial locations. I also met two very skilled urban explorers who were willing to share their experiences with me.

American Urbex recognizes the following individuals for having a hand in making this dream a reality.

Mom – For soliciting additional funds without my knowledge.
Brandon Davis – For showing me the ropes around Cleveland and letting me crash on the couch.
Mike Adams – For sharing his insights and impeccable burrito taste with me.

Pierre Ramery, John Sagehorn, Dave Smith, Andrew West, Scott Langteau, Matthew Nicklas and all the donors who wish to remain anonymous. May your generosity be returned to you in the future tenfold. Expenses have been compiled into a spreadsheet for public review.

Thanks to you American Urbex has a wealth of content to work through. I’ll get cracking on editing the photos and research immediately. I want to share the intimate details about the trip so bad, but doing so would blow the cover on what is in store. Until those entries appear please keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr Group!

 

American Urbex Podcast E.04 – That’s Off Limits

In this episode we take a look at an American Urbex Doppelgänger, a YouTube video called The Accidental Sea, and the Travel Channel’s new show Off Limits.

Subscribe to the American Urbex Podcast on iTunes.

American Urbex – A photo tour made with jDocumentary.

The Accidental Sea – A great video by Ransom Riggs.

Off Limits – A new show with urbex elements on the Travel Channel.

American Urbex on IndieGoGo – Your support is greatly appreciated.

American Urbex on Facebook

American Urbex on Flickr

 

Infiltration Summer

In 2010 American Urbex was able to raise just over $400 to fund an expedition to Gary, IN.  This website has no advertising or revenue stream to support it. The content is created because I have an inherent need to share my discoveries and don’t mind paying out of pocket to do so. The donations that support American Urbex are greatly appreciated.

American Urbex

This summer I would like to explore even more fascinating urbex locations. That’s where you come in. Contributions to American Urbex as low as $1 and higher can help offset the cost of travel, lodging and food. Contributors are recognized for their support and will receive incentives for donations. All major credit cards and PayPal are accepted. Please visit the American Urbex: Infiltration Summer project page on IndieGoGo to find out how you can support American Urbex.

Generous Donation

Photo: The contents of the mysterious envelope.

03/31/2011 UPDATE #1: I went to my mailbox today and inside was a letter without a return address. At first I thought to myself, “Oh ****. Another anthrax letter.” I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the contents were not deadly Bacillus anthracis spores, but a check made out to American Urbex for $200. Many thanks for your generous direct donation! Your name will go up instantly on the Contributors page of American Urbex.

0/31/2011 UPDATE #2: A donor who wishes to remain anonymous has just contributed $100. I am truly fortunate to have such ardent backers behind this project. It is good to receive donations this high, but let me be absolutely clear that I appreciate donations in any amount. I don’t consider a $1 a measly amount. I consider it to be as generous as any amount that goes towards this project. Thank you so much.

04/04/2011 UPDATE: Many thanks to Matt N. and Scott L. for contributing to American Urbex. You guys rock.

04/06/2011 UPDATE: Good friend and confessed American Urbex fan Andrew W. has contributed to the cause. Thank you so much buddy!

04/08/2011 UPDATE: Another anonymous donor has contributed $100. Note to self: Return the favor in kind by creating some badass American Urbex content.

04/09/2011 UPDATE: Melissa. You rock. That is all. 😀

04/11/2011 UPDATE: With $550 total raised so far ($200 cash, $350 on IndieGoGo) it looks like Infiltration Summer is going to go ahead. I’d like to get some input on where to explore next. Online Poll, I choose you!

[poll id=”2″]

Please support American Urbex and go to the IndieGoGo project page to donate today!

04/17/2011 UPDATE: Dave Smith, aka Dezro, pitched in $10. He also gave me a free copy of his awesome 8-Bit Pocket Camera iPhone app, which was inspired by some flagrant geekery of mine. Thanks Dave!

05/10/2011 UDATE: On June 12 I will be taking a tour of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV. The photography tour for this building will cost $100, but I will be joining a Chicago based urbex group that organized the event. I plan on leaving a few days early and stopping at urbex locations in Indiana and Ohio along the way. This doesn’t mean American Urbex is done fundraising. We still have to meet the $500 goal on the IndieGoGo project page. Your donations will fund a good chunk of the content for this summer. Donations are used to offset the ever rising cost of gas, food, and lodging. Please contribute to this trip today!

Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Photo: Postcard of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

05/12/2011 UPDATE: The UrbEx – Explore Chicago group organizing the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum trip to Weston, WV is looking for a few more people to join. The photography tour cost is $100 payable to the asylum. If you would like to join us please go to this MeetUp page (registration required) and join the trip. We will be meeting at the asylum at 1:30pm on June 12. The tour lasts from 2-6pm. If you need more information please call the asylum at (304) 269-5070.

05/21/2011 UPDATE: Organization for the trip to the asylum fell through. The best laid plans of mice and men…

06/04/2011 UPDATE: American Urbex is very close to meeting its IndieGoGo goal. Please contribute a few dollars to offset travel costs… it will go a long way.  I have taken the advice of the poll above and will be spending a long weekend in the Ohio area June 10-13. It is absolutely thrilling to have your support in this.

06/08/2011 UPDATE: I’m going to have to reschedule the trip. Going to unfamiliar urbex locations alone is not a good idea. In the interest of safety I have decided to wait for a time that works better for my fellow photographer friends and contacts. I’m determined to make this thing happen one way or another.

06/10/2011 UPDATE: Pierre R. helped American Urbex get closer to its goal on IndieGoGo. Thank you so much Pierre!

The Trip To Gary

The urbex trip to Gary, Indiana over the past weekend was funded entirely by American Urbex contributors. Although the heat was at times stifling, it was very refreshing to be surrounded by two more talented photographers. Starting early on Saturday we hit up as many well known urbex locations as possible. On Sunday two of us contorted our bodies to make it into an otherwise inaccessible location and spent the next six and half hours there.

The total expenditures for the trip are as follows. Some items are approximated until all locations report their debit transactions.

  • Hotel: $156 for two nights at Quality Inn in Hammond, IN
  • Food: $30 for Subway, KFC, other food items
  • Gas: $26 full tank from Whitewater, WI to Gary, IN
  • Tolls: $16 for the upkeep of Illinois and Indiana’s highways
  • Gloves: $5 for protection
  • SD Reader: $2 to transfer photos

Some of the total cost was offset by Brett, who has a nice dinner coming his way some day in the future. Nick also deserves credit for pitching in for gas on the return trip and other miscellaneous costs. What remains of the funds contributed will go towards fulfilling contributor incentives. Extra funds will go towards future urbex adventures.

The trip was a smashing success. Thanks and keep an eye out for more Gary urbex updates than you can wave a stick at over the next few weeks.

American Urbex: THANK YOU!!!

Thanks to the generous contributions of American Urbex readers I will be headed to Gary, Indiana. Their contributions to date have totaled $400! ($240 via IndieGoGo and $160 cash.) This trip would not have happened without your support. Between grad school, a new puppy, and bills there is little spare change for travel. I’m looking forward to the adventure with a few other urbex friends. Rest assured our fascinating discoveries will be posted.

This couldn’t have happened without your help. Thank you.

American Urbex will continue to raise funds for future urbex adventures. So please, if you have a few bucks, it would be greatly appreciated!

-Ken