In the 80's and 90's, trespassing was a kind of hipster sport in Pittsburgh. There were numerous abandoned steel mills and factories-- these were huge facilities that had stopped operating years ago and were left to the elements. Since many of us lived near these structures, it was irresistible to explore them and see what's inside. Photographically, they're amazing subjects. They're also a dream-canvas for graffiti artists. It was also cool to just be there in the middle of the night with your friends, in a place that was so alien from everyplace else in the city.

That said, property management doesn't see it that way. For them, it's a liability. These places are dangerous, there are often no lights and steep drops without guard rails. Sometimes the floor is just missing in places. Sharp objects everywhere and no easy way to get help if there's an accident. And if something did happen, who is to blame if a hipster falls down a chute 50 feet onto concrete? Not easy to say (regardless of what you may think). Security guards patrolled the area and would investigate any flashlights or people sightings. Worst case scenario you would get a citation, though our crew never got caught (in steel mills).

In less dangerous buildings, things were more loose. If you had a camera and were there to take cool shots, security was apt to just kick you out. A camera was like a kind of "passport" for trespassers. Graffiti artists got a much harder response.