Hey guys,

I was wondering if anybody knows what the most decayed, desolate, depressing-looking places in Cleveland are.  I'm trying to do a "hood shoot" with a friend.  Case Western is our home base, and I know East Cleveland is the place for this, but if you could narrow it down to specific intersections or streets, that would be great.  Thanks!

I could show you some places, but they wouldn't be in Cleveland. Just make sure you know where you're going since you don't want to  get lost and I can't recommend google maps' streetview feature enough. You can always look at a Cleveland neighborhood map + homicide map (hover the cursor over the map and it'll tell you what neighborhood it is)and find out which neighborhoods have the most and then check out the main drags. You could get into trouble since some may take offense to you taking pictures whether it be the main strip or someone's house in a residential area. Forest Hills is a small neighborhood with St Clair and Eddy Rd (two men were killed on the southern end between the 800-900 blocks) being the main streets. So there you go. I've never set foot in this part of Cleveland, but the side of that building looks like a good one to get you started. The power of the internets.

 

You might want to re-write that thread title. I had to do a triple take when reading the first part.

 

I don't know any specific places in East Cleveland, but perhaps you could drive around the East 65 and Wade Park area. Just do it on a sunny bright day like today. I don't want to be hearing about some photographer getting assaulted by the locals this week.

Wade Park or Hough are not that bad.

 

I say Kinsman, Superior, St. Clair, Central, Quincy or Woodland Aves.

 

Start at Superior and drive south on 65, 71 or 79 streets.

Oh... yes. Thats better.

Still though, be careful.

Oh... yes. Thats better.

Still though, be careful.

 

Exactly, don't go alone.  In any neighborhood, urban, suburban or exurban, when a "stranger" is around and taking pictures, people will wonder why you're they're are doing.

 

I'm not saying anything will happen, but if you're white, you'll get looks and rightfully so.  Don't act like you have the "right to entitlement", that's a BIG No-No.  Just use good judgment, ie COMMON SENSE and be respectful of the area you are in. 

How about a trip down E.79th from St Clair all the way down to Broadway - passes thru some good, bad and ugly all in one street - from Hough to Garden Valley.  Another I've thought of doing (not that it's all that hood) would be E. 105th from Bratenahl down to Quincy, then Woodhill and E. 93rd to the industrial grit around Aetna and Bessemer.

Oh... yes. Thats better.

Still though, be careful.

 

Oh... yes. Thats better.

Still though, be careful.

 

Exactly, don't go alone.  In any neighborhood, urban, suburban or exurban, when a "stranger" is around and taking pictures, people will wonder why you're they're are doing.

 

I'm not saying anything will happen, but if you're white, you'll get looks and rightfully so.  Don't act like you have the "right to entitlement", that's a BIG No-No.  Just use good judgment, ie COMMON SENSE and be respectful of the area you are in. 

 

A young man came out of his house to ask if I needed anything while I was out for my recent photo thread (obviously thought I was suspicious) since I was standing in front taking a couple of pics. In the rougher part of Olde Towne East along with the nicer part of King-Lincoln men asked what I was doing, but it was because they were curious vs. being hostile to what I was doing. So far I've been better received in poorer neighborhoods with a reputation for higher crime. Who'd figure? But that's the thing, you never know. I'm just honest and let them know I'm photographing and documenting the neighborhood. Just remember it's not something to take lightly as people on this forum have had to cut their losses and get out since situations were getting scary.

 

I noticed that just about all suggestions are for the east side, so if you want to get off the beaten track I'm sure there are places to the south and west.

If it's industrial you're after, then I would also suggest Independence Road through the Mittal Steel works - great up-close grit.

but if you're white, you'll get looks and rightfully so.   Don't act like you have the "right to entitlement", that's a BIG No-No.

 

Would you say the same thing to a black person wanting to take pictures in Avon?

 

Fang,

 

What kind of "hood and decay shots" are you looking for?  Vacant houses, factories, empty lots?

not a big fan of the title here, but anyhow...

East:

Union av

Woodland-love the views of downtown from the top of the hill near e.116th

Buckeye-plenty not decayed, interesting buildings

St. Clair and Superior av's from E.55th on east

 

South:

upper Broadway ave -has a lot of old buildings and some interesting vistas looking toward downtown.

 

Westside: Storer , Dennison on 6000-8000 blocks.

i'm going to assume you are cool and have done stuff like this before. so off the top of my head i would say start downtown and go east on st. clair, then south along e105th. holes to hood to abandonment. from downtown to south on broadway is a great idea too.

 

speaking of hoods, does anybody know the exact location of that apt building antwone fisher's mom lived in in the movie?

but if you're white, you'll get looks and rightfully so.   Don't act like you have the "right to entitlement", that's a BIG No-No. 

 

Would you say the same thing to a black person wanting to take pictures in Avon?

 

I sure would!

Thanks for the replies!  I'm asking because I don't want to waste time wandering around looking for interesting scenery.  I've done this sort of things a few times before, although I am getting more comfortable in rough neighborhoods that I used to be.  I'm not looking to capture any particular type of structure or setting, but moreso just a generally dreary ambiance.  The weather tomorrow is looking bleak so that will be perfect.  This whole pursuit does raise some moral questions though, like what are my motives and how will I choose to represent the neighborhoods and their residents....

Anyway, I'm Chinese, and I'll be going with another Chinese friend...

I've photographed bad areas from East to West coast and I think the encounters one may have with curious residents are actually reversed in this situation.  People in the worst areas don't seem to care since they understand the spectacle of devastation around them.  Both good and bad areas can raise some questions if you are taking pictures of a particular house instead of general scenery.  Why are you photographing my house?  And imagine the homeowner's thoughts: Are they going to break into my house?  Will they sell images of my house?  Is my family's privacy being violated? 

 

I think people who may live in poor areas understand what you are doing more than you think, and surprisingly take it as a compliment.

 

 

I think the main reason though I never have issues is I'm on a bike.  Even in the worst of areas of Detroit I'll ride a bike.  Walking around with a $600 camera out in the open isn't the best idea.  On the other hand, drive-by photography is obnoxious and rude.  So using a bike to get around is a good middle ground.  I rarely even get second glances in places I'd never thought I'd be.

 

East:

Kinsman: From 55th to 93rd(Arguably the most decayed area in the city)

Lexington: 66th- The area around league park and various parts of nearby Hough

St Clair: 71st-140ish

 

Much of the Fairfax area. Specifically:

Quincy-71st-105th(If you can get around all the construction going on)

Central-71st-80s

Cedar-55th-79th

 

East Cleveland:

Hayden ave

Shaw ave

Superior-Hayden area

 

West:

Storer

Various parts of Clark, and Detroit

 

As others said, don't go alone or in the later part of the day(or the earlier morning for that matter). Go at the peak of the afternoon.

 

Keep in mind that you'll most likely look suspicious. Most of these neighborhoods are predominantly black, where even myself(being black) would look suspicious walking around taking pictures. With all that said, be safe and good luck on the shoot.

 

 

 

 

I disagree about afternoon being better than morning. I work in social services and Friday afternoon innercity visits esp ones at the end of the month where money is scarce, are to be avoided. Kids are out of school today, also not good. I am also concerned you may be stand out even more being Asian. Please be careful

Hayward, I've had similar experiences to what you described, at least in the Midwest.  Residents in some of the poorer areas seemed pretty approachable and friendly.

 

Free, thanks for the specific locations.  I'm thinking I actually want to get more industrial shots now, so there will probably be less people around.

 

Peabody, it looks like we'll be going in the afternoon.  Again, we probably won't be able to get too far from Case if we walk, although we may take the RTA to the industrial area outside downtown.

Well, when money is scarce it's going to be scarce all day, so going in the afternoon when there are more people out and about is the best idea. In the early morning or night, there are less people(witnesses) out, which is why chances of crime or going to be higher.

Take Superior or St. Clair...or Euclid...east...and have fun.

Hey, I've got the best place of all to get decay shots in Cleveland:

 

1801 Superior Avenue!

lol!

 

For old industrial decay I recommend:

-Cedar and East 60 something, there is a great old abandoned factory there along with assorted other stuff.

-East 79th from Cedar on south

-Fulton and Vega area on the westside has some old factories- as does that whole little valley, which is known as Walworth run

-W. 65, south of I-90

 

As for time of day to go to potentially dangerous neighborhoods, I recommend mornings- that is when most of the older residents of the neighborhood are out and about, and when the younger folks are still asleep or at school.  That said, the specific areas I'm pointing out are not residential.

Hey, I've got the best place of all to get decay shots in Cleveland:

 

1801 Superior Avenue!

 

LMAO!!!  :clap:

Go south on Lee and turn west on Kinsman/Chagrin.  That's a neighborhood that was built to be poor.

 

Heading east on Superior and St Clair from 55th.  Those are neighborhoods that once were much more than they are now.

 

You can get off the shoreway at Eddy Road and head away from Bratenahl.

 

East 116th heading south of Fairhill will make you want to stay in your car.

 

I hear the gas station on the corner of 55th and Woodland gets quite "interesting" after the night clubs let out.

 

I hear the gas station on the corner of 55th and Woodland gets quite "interesting" after the night clubs let out.

 

Interesting is NOT the word.  After hours, its different, you just gotta know how to act.

Well, we got back from our little excursion.  People were exceedingly nice.  Just about everybody we walked past on the street gave us a hi, what's up, or how are you...  I like Cleveland.

Well, we got back from our little excursion.  People were exceedingly nice.  Just about everybody we walked past on the street gave us a hi, what's up, or how are you...  I like Cleveland.

 

Then I expect to see a photo thread SOON!  :wink:

If industrial shots are what you're looking for, then I would definately agree with X on the Cedar area. The area he is mentioning is around 65th and Cedar. Also you would probably like to check out Independence Rd, 55th between Woodland and Bessemer, and the Broadway/Rockerfeller area. You would definately get some good shots from the bridge on Broadway.

 

Also, even though it's not an industrial area, East 71st and Central ave would give you some perfect shots. There is an old factory right on the corner that would really capture that industrial feel you're looking for. I don't know if you would go to the area just for one building, but TRUST ME, you wouldn't be disappointed.

glad you had a good time. With a the right attitude (which is essentially, no attitude) most neighborhoods are fine to visit. I will be interested to see where you went.

I believe someone still owes us a photo thread...

A few underrated spots for residential decay (these are really, really grimy spots):

 

-Chapman, Page, Northview avenues in East Cleveland northwest of Euclid Avenue (Detroit-style bombed-out apts)

-Woodworth (EC/Collinwood border) between 152 and St. Clair (overgrown, sinister-looking vacant lots)

-streets and alleys bounded by W. 81, W.65, Lorain, and Madison.  Colgate, Elton, etc.  Awful neighborhood.

If industrial shots are what you're looking for, then I would definately agree with X on the Cedar area. The area he is mentioning is around 65th and Cedar. Also you would probably like to check out Independence Rd, 55th between Woodland and Bessemer, and the Broadway/Rockerfeller area. You would definately get some good shots from the bridge on Broadway.

 

Also, even though it's not an industrial area, East 71st and Central ave would give you some perfect shots. There is an old factory right on the corner that would really capture that industrial feel you're looking for. I don't know if you would go to the area just for one building, but TRUST ME, you wouldn't be disappointed.

 

The area around East 71st & Central is pretty interesting.  Cleveland Track Material, which manufactures parts of railroad tracks, has been there for a very, very long time.  I've heard that there's a massive (hu)man-powered crank that was used to churn out ties in the early 20th Century.  Rumor is that is was invented there.

 

Otherwise, that intersection has the last remaining concentration of historically-relevant buildings in the Central neighborhood.  Most are condemned because one owner holds about thirteen different properties and has let them get into a state of decay while trying to invent the world's first "fretless" guitar.

 

I think someone on the forum posted photos from inside that massive building on Cedar at Ashland.  That thing is a monster, and is impeding on efforts to redevelop the adjacent neighborhood, which is largely vacant land.

 

A few underrated spots for residential decay (these are really, really grimy spots):

 

-Chapman, Page, Northview avenues in East Cleveland northwest of Euclid Avenue (Detroit-style bombed-out apts)

-Woodworth (EC/Collinwood border) between 152 and St. Clair (overgrown, sinister-looking vacant lots)

-streets and alleys bounded by W. 81, W.65, Lorain, and Madison. Colgate, Elton, etc. Awful neighborhood.

 

I looked at this area on Google streetview, and most of the side streets didn't look all that bad to me, aside from a few vacant lots and boarded-up houses.  Guthrie Ave. looked the worst, I thought, and Lorain and Madison themselves, of course.  I'm sure it isn't the nicest place to live in, but as far as decay goes, I didn't think there was a lot at all- it seemed like a fairly typical poorer westside neighborhood.  Maybe things have changed a lot since they photographed the area? 

Your assessment is pretty accurate - that area's nowhere near as blighted as others but the crime rates are way up there.

^That's what I said.  I thought the OP was looking for blight, and not high crime areas.