Urbex locations
Definition
Urbex locations are abandoned buildings or sites that are visited for urban exploration. Within BDSM, the term refers to fantasizing or playing in abandoned places, often because of their raw, forbidden, and exciting nature. In reality, urbex locations are rarely suitable or safe for BDSM sessions. As a backdrop for BDSM photography, however, these locations are often fascinating and inspiring.
Explanation of Urbex locations
Urbex – short for urban exploration – revolves around exploring abandoned places such as old factories, hospitals, forts, cellars, or schools. The atmosphere of decay, silence, echoes, and darkness appeals to the imagination and is sometimes romantically associated with BDSM photography or role-playing.
The combination of a raw environment and a D/s dynamic can be intensely exciting in fantasy: a sub tied up in a large empty hall, the sound of footsteps echoing, or a Dominant taking control in a space where no one comes. Many people therefore use urbex locations as a source of inspiration for fantasies, kinky photography, film scenes, or artistic bondage images.
Within the reality of BDSM photography (e.g., shibari), urbex settings are sometimes used by professionals, but almost always under strict safety measures, with the owner’s permission, and after thorough inspection. Urbex itself is officially about “take nothing, leave nothing, break nothing,” and therefore not about playing or taking risks.
Safety and points of attention
Although urbex locations have a strong appeal, they are extremely unsafe for BDSM sessions. The risks include danger of collapse, rotten floors, sharp metal edges, glass, mold, chemicals, loose pipes, asbestos, and lack of lighting.
Many abandoned buildings have cleared or unstable structures where even a simple misstep can be dangerous.
These locations are completely unsuitable for bondage, suspension, or physical play: one faulty anchor point can lead to serious injury.
In addition, urbex locations are usually off-limits, which entails legal risks.
Unexpected visitors such as security guards, other urbexers, copper thieves, or homeless people must also be taken into account.
Eroticism and adrenaline may seem appealing, but safety and consent can never be guaranteed in an environment that you do not fully control.
For photography, role-playing, or abandoned atmospheres, it is better to use studios, industrial sets, or courtyards that are legal, stable, and safe.
Related terms Urbex locations
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