A scientist 9-5, Manchester’s Janine Pendleton explores abandoned and spooky sites around the world in the name of photography.

Janine, 34, started pursuing her hobby in 2015 and said: “I was just browsing the internet and got sucked into a black hole and suddenly started looking at abandoned theme parks in Japan – I started thinking ‘I wonder if there are any in the UK?’ I soon learnt that Camelot Theme Park in Lancashire had shut down in 2012, a place I used to go as a kid.”

Having now visited over 500 different derelict locations, Camelot was where Janine discovered her passion. She said: “I simply phoned a friend to tag along to the theme park with me just for fun – we hadn’t actually planned to go in but the adrenaline was overwhelming and we immediately found ourselves jumping the fence. We were terrified as there was a lot of security so we were hiding in the bushes but I was also so equally excited.”

Janine was immediately hooked. She upgraded her camera and started visiting little sites around the UK for the rest of 2015 before starting her first road trip to Europe in 2016.

She said: “I find a lot of beauty in the natural decay. No two buildings decline in exactly the same way. Visiting these places is like stepping back in time. With a click of the shutter you capture the state of a building at a single point in time. With digital photography that moment can be preserved forever.”

Janine, who goes by the alias Obsidian Urbex Photography online, sells all photography in numerous books available on her website that document her worldwide travels.

However, for anyone who’s looking to follow in Janine’s footsteps, she said: “There are many dangers in an abandoned building. You should never enter a location that you do not feel comfortable exploring.”

Janine has advice for those who may be wanting to explore creepy locations for themselves. She said: “Floors and ceilings may collapse without warning as you move around or there may be broken glass and sharp pieces of metal on the floor or on ledges whilst climbing. Old buildings may have asbestos or toxic lead-based paint. Industrial sites may have a wealth of hazards, including toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. Beware of the risk of sudden drops (fall hazards). Elevator doors may be open, guard rails from walkways and stairs may be removed, mines and industrial sites are common places where shafts and other openings may be left uncovered.”

But it’s not just the obvious structural damages that people need to be wary of. Janine said: “Abandoned buildings are a haven for mold and fungus. Spores from these organisms possess health risks if inhaled. Confined spaces may have restricted fresh air flow, it is possible that oxygen levels in sealed environments may be low enough that you could pass out if you remain in there too long. You may not be alone in the abandoned building. Various potentially dangerous people may also be lurking inside. If the building is frequented by drug users, there may be syringes on the floor or hidden amongst rubbish.”

For anyone looking to travel to the unusual and extraordinary once restrictions have lifted, Janine shares her top places to visit across America, Asia and Europe over on her blog.