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I recently saw the article on Bored Panda about liminal spaces and it is something that has been a personal interest for me as well for a long time. Looking at some of the photographs, I do think I sought after the feeling of liminality in them.
The feeling of being in a transition phase, passing from one space to another, whether it be the uncertain state of an abandoned building, which once housed life and now waits for either demolition or refurbishment or the lands beyond massive fells or the depths of whispering forests as if passing over an invisible threshold of the horizon or a boundary within the depth of a forest would take the journeyer to a new world or realm. In psychology, there is a term called "event boundary," which the brain uses to encode information into segments for easier organization and access.
More info: Instagram | fellscapes.com
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#1
Final score:
101points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you! Glad you like it
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Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
It is always such and intriguing and almost mythical to walk in a misty forest like that
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Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
This is gorgeous! Where did you take it, and did you have to tweak it while developing to get leaves to pop that way?
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thanks a lot! This was taken in Lapland, Finland during last fall. I do edit my photos, but it's usually mainly contrast and curves adjustments, which make colors pop a bit more than in the unedited photo, I usually do not specifically modify the colors, sometimes I tone down if some shades are getting to be too strong. The colors of the fall can be very vibrant!
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Isaac Kurnia Lammy 1929002 3 years ago
It looks like a horror version of W***y Wonka’s candy room (where everything is edible)
A classical example of an event boundary is passing through a doorway, whereupon the person oftentimes forgets what was the reason for entering through a doorway. For the mind, the passing over of this boundary creates a definition between what was and what is now. Liminality is also a term that is associated with rites of passage, where the participator no longer holds the pre-ritual status, but the post-ritual status is yet to be achieved.
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#2
Final score:
95points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thanks, you are very correct! Beautiful streets of Maastricht
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denzoren 4 years ago
This looks perfect to have an evening walk on a cool day just lost in your thoughts.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you! It definitely seemed like this place was suspended in time
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Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you! My idea for it was kinda the empty streets that are made for people to walk there, and that the road veers off behind the buildings, to a place that can't be seen but what is there still
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#3
Final score:
74points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Load More Replies... Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
Having spent most of my life in San Francisco, California, I really appreciate a good fog photo!
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
It is a foggy place I presume?
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Liminality is a state of fluidity, where old orders and meanings of things no longer hold true, and the orders and meanings are yet to be established and are a space where these can be created. Maybe the intrigue of the liminal spaces, the exhilarating yet also terrifying, could be explained by the event boundaries.
#4
Final score:
70points
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
This looks like the sort of place where you think you know where you’re going and then suddenly you realize you have absolutely no clue as to where you actually are.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
There is this term in Finnish folklore called "metsänpeitto" (translation: forest's cover). It is a place where you might be led into, or where you might just end up if you lose your track in the forest. The forest's cover is believed to be the realm of the forest elves or gnomes and when you pass into it, you are not detectable by usual means. For example observers in the real world might see you as a stone or a stump of a tree. There are different ways to exit this realm but it is said some have been perpetually lost there.
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trinity armor 1 year ago
we all entered woods like this for the last time and never knew it...
The G̶͙̔l̵͇̇ḭ̵͝ț̷̊c̴̟̓h̷͇̃ 2 years ago
just walk a bit, you will find your house soon.... =)
Isaac Kurnia Lammy 1929002 3 years ago
Why does it make me feel like the walking dead are gonna pop out of nowhere?
#5
Final score:
64points
denzoren 4 years ago
The anxiety in me has been calmed for a brief moment looking at this picture.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
I'm happy to hear if these images have helped easing your mind!
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Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Yeah! Rail car in an abandoned roundhouse. This was supposed to be a part of a Christmas venture, tourists to be transported with a renovated steam engine and the rail cars were decorated to match the holiday. It went sideways and at least sometime ago the rail cars and the steam engine were confiscated due to financial issues and has since stayed in a limbo of sorts
Load More Replies... The G̶͙̔l̵͇̇ḭ̵͝ț̷̊c̴̟̓h̷͇̃ 2 years ago
wait for the next stop, you will never know what's in store if you don't wait...... =)
Maybe the images hold elements, like a building with an uncertain fate, or what lies beyond the horizon of the forest, are thresholds for the brain to compile information and ready to assess what is coming next. Looking at these images that seem to display liminal spaces stuck in this state where the journey to new information has just begun but has not yet reached wherever they would lead leaves the brain in a state of constant wondering. This is just my interpretation and not saying it's an actual scientific consensus!
#6
Final score:
53points
denzoren 4 years ago
I'd love to have a view like this from my home...even if I'm living in the middle of nowhere it'll be worth it.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
I do live quite far away from any larger settlements, and it is quite nice to have these places nearby
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Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Depends on your definition of fake. It has been edited for colors and contrast, but nothing has been added that wasn't already there when the photo was captured
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plush n puppet shenanigans 4 years ago
this looks like it should be a default background for a computer
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
It was definitely beautiful when there was this mist in the air
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Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
Those views are always awesome, one thinks "I could live there!" until you run out of milk. My mother lived in a little hamlet in the southern US with absolutely beautiful views all around, but you couldn't find a loaf of bread without driving 40 minutes. Talk about your reality checks!
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thanks. Yeah the image has been slightly adjusted for colors and contrast
Load More Replies... #7
Final score:
53points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
I also quite recently came upon the term!
Load More Replies... Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Still haven't seen the movies, but I'm taking that as a compliment!
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Rylee Evergreen🦋 2 years ago
this reminds me of my home! there was a little section at the top of my childhood neighborhood that opened into a woods. it looked just like this! gorgeous
#8
Final score:
49points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Maybe! That is a fascinating observation. There might be this kind of an element of almost a relief in it?
Load More Replies... Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
I like to include chairs in photos of abandoned places when I can, I think it adds to the feel that "there was once life, but now even the chairs are without a purpose"
Load More Replies... Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you! This is from the Silo 5 complex situated in Montreal
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Stephen Lyford 2 years ago
That chair makes this photo 1000x more interesting. Amazing how that works.
#9
Final score:
44points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Would have been a nice touch, but no unfortunately
Load More Replies... Garnet Perrin 1 year ago
oh wow,this is F***ing amazing,yet so familiar but at the same time not
Asphalt Bubblegum 2 years ago
This looks like how I imagined the Bear's home that Goldilocks invaded would look like.
#10
Final score:
41points
Garnet Perrin 1 year ago
hey I like the godzilla films,but wrong time,now is the time for nostalgia
Load More Replies... #11
Final score:
41points
Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
All of the textures make it look like something out of a Fritz Lang film.
VersaceDreams 4 years ago
Story: In the year 2050, a huge virus starts to spread. Imagine Corona virus, but 10 times worse. This time around, the world population is about 13 billion and the virus is spreading like wildfire. Cities like New York are extremely populated, and there's virtually no space for people to be able to "social distance". People are terrified to come out of their apartments and possibly contract the virus, so they've boarded up windows, cut off all ties with the outside world and are now living their lives miserably.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
That is an amazing story and I think you nailed the atmosphere perfectly!
Load More Replies... #12
Final score:
41points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Finland, Lapland! This is a fell called Saana
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Garnet Perrin 1 year ago
ah yes mt silver, so very nostalgic ,but I feel like I've seen this before
#13
Final score:
40points
Peter Ledoux 2 years ago
I don't know about this tunnel, it does have tracks in it. Yeah I know it's only a mining cart still wouldn't want to meet it coming the other way.
#14
Final score:
40points
kristinak911 2 years ago
It looks like this Subway scene in one of the "Final Destination" movies, And I mean that as a compliment... I'm holding my breath waiting for that subway car to come around that corner! 🤔🙄😳💀🔥
#15
Final score:
34points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thanks! One of the rare surviving buildings that were not burned during the war, Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church
Load More Replies... #16
Final score:
34points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Most times I don't alter anything before taking a photo, but here I was with a friend and we found this pair of shoes and thought it would create a compelling photo with them left on the stairs, to be kinda this extra touch of the human element in the scene
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#17
Final score:
31points
#18
Final score:
29points
#19
Final score:
27points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
A school, though I think it could almost be thought of as a prison. This is from the Dorea Institute, which was connected to the tragic Duplessis orphans case
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Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
No no no no no! This looks like the sort of place where people who steal small children take them.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
This is from the Dorea Institute, which is connected to the tragic story of the Duplessis orphans. It is a bit of a grim read, nevertheless a part of Canadian history that should be noted. Googling about this you will find plenty of information if interested!
Load More Replies... #20
Final score:
27points
Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 4 years ago
I put of Lofi music to help the puppy sleep and this image makes it so much better
#21
Final score:
26points
DumplingQueen 2 years ago
I love this picture, it's just the writing on the side of the wall...
#22
Final score:
26points
VersaceDreams 4 years ago
Story: This place is an abandoned family owned car repair shop that eventually went out of business after being in the family for decades. It's been in this state since 2008 when the family started losing money. No one in the town has batted an eyelash at it, and now it's home to many bugs and critters.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago (edited)
These were the premises of a motorcycle gang if I remember correctly, so not too far off!
Load More Replies... Mary Rose Kent 4 years ago
This looks like the sort of place where people who kidnap little children take them to be held for ransom. [I probably have an overactive imagination and have watch waaay too many movies in my life.]
Draco's Dragonfly 4 years ago
Hahaha I was about to say s.t. along these lines. Your remarks seem really dark! I would be the happy camper frollicking about and you'd be looking for signs of danger. This particular picture, however, does look creepy, but I focus on the birthday flags so it can't be all bad. Right? Right? ....where did you disappear to? Hello? ;)
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#23
Final score:
26points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
This is from an abandoned iron ore mine, so I'd say close enough! :D
Load More Replies... #24
Final score:
25points
Sierra P. 4 years ago
i adore pictures with lighting like this..warm, natural, and filtering through abandoned concrete structures lol
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
It is always creates an interesting feeling when there's contrast between a warm natural light and crude abandoned spaces!
Load More Replies... Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
He got a lot of mileage out of this building, but to be fair with a bit of imagination almost any (decommissioned) manufacturing space has potential. Nice job.
#25
Final score:
25points
Sierra P. 4 years ago
i don't know what it is about this one in particular...but i can almost feel like i'm there. the lighting is so beautiful, and i can just imagine the temperature and atmosphere and small things like what the ground would sound like under my shoes, or maybe the scenario in which i would be there. love this
#26
Final score:
24points
#27
Final score:
24points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
I could see something like this in a hip-hop video definitely
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Stephanie Hill 4 years ago
For me, this totally captures that liminal state--the satisfaction of work of art finished and the curiosity of what lies beyond the door. It's the contrast between the open space and narrow door, and between the natural light and pitch darkness that nails it for me.
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Thank you! I think that for me the doors are probably one of the most fascinating elements in abandoned spaces, or whenever it's a door you are not supposed to go through! Like for example the one image in this article with the door in the subway tunnel, always leaves me wondering where they lead to
Load More Replies... #28
Final score:
23points
#29
Final score:
23points
Juuso Voutilainen (Submission author) 4 years ago
Yes! This place was called Santa's Workshop, though I'm not sure what exactly people did there, or why it was abandoned. Unfortunately the place has since burned down.
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#30
Final score:
22points
#32
Final score:
21points
The G̶͙̔l̵͇̇ḭ̵͝ț̷̊c̴̟̓h̷͇̃ 2 years ago
how many times do I have to say that you are near the exit?
#33
Final score:
19points
#34
Final score:
17points
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What do you think ?
denzoren 4 years ago
I really like posts like this. You don't need any words to feel the pictures. You can feel the warmth or coldness, you can feel the atmosphere as if you're standing there.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
I appreciate this! I was thinking of naming the pictures, but then again I thought that maybe I'll just let the images do all the talking. I'm very glad if they work as intended!
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Sierra P. 4 years ago
Great vibe...urban exploration is underrated imo and pictures like these have a beautiful mix of intensity and anonymity. my favourites are the ones with warm lighting, they're kind of nostalgic but also make me feel like a dust spore observing a still world
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Thank you! I'm glad I could nail the atmosphere
Load More Replies... kristinak911 2 years ago
Beautiful... slightly "otherworldly", stark but stimulating...Not just eye catching, but Mind catching, dream like, and strangely calming, with just a touch of mystery.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 4 years ago (edited)
Although I didn't always feel the liminality--perhaps even more off-center paths specifically leading nowhere? if you follow me--I liked many of the images: the capturing of light and color is stunning.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Aye, I did post many of these in a sense that I was also searching the feeling of liminality, these are good comments, there is always more to learn! Thank you
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Ellkje0805 4 years ago
Stunning! Such beautiful photographs! Looking forward to your future posts on BP
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
The solitude of the nature photos makes me want to be there. The empty urban ones, for the most part, make me glad I'm not.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago (edited)
Those spaces do express the two modalities of a same feeling. Like you said, in nature mostly solitude and in urban spaces loneliness. Both intriguing in their own right
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Anam 4 years ago
A strange silence took over me. The feeling of being alone, leaves crumbling under feet, serenity mixed with undertones of creepiness. Thoroughly enjoyed the post! It's almost a 3D experience.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
I am so grateful to hear this! The atmosphere you described was pretty much spot on with what I tried to convey
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 4 years ago
These are fantastic photographs. I wish you could have given some brief descriptions to clue us in regarding the locations.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Thank you! I was thinking about some brief descriptions, but then I thought I'd just leave them to be interpreted by the observer. I have been giving brief descriptions in the comments when people have asked though!
Load More Replies... Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
These are fantastic. I believe that to do this kind of photography well you need to have the ability to look at places with a different kind of eye/observation. I have found that it requires a level of concentration and presence like nothing else. I can't describe the headspace I'm in when I take photos like this. I don't find it, it finds me.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago (edited)
Thank you! I think it sometimes it's more like places and moments are waiting for someone to discover them rather than someone discovering the places and moments
Load More Replies... denzoren 4 years ago
I really like posts like this. You don't need any words to feel the pictures. You can feel the warmth or coldness, you can feel the atmosphere as if you're standing there.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
I appreciate this! I was thinking of naming the pictures, but then again I thought that maybe I'll just let the images do all the talking. I'm very glad if they work as intended!
Load More Replies... Sierra P. 4 years ago
Great vibe...urban exploration is underrated imo and pictures like these have a beautiful mix of intensity and anonymity. my favourites are the ones with warm lighting, they're kind of nostalgic but also make me feel like a dust spore observing a still world
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Thank you! I'm glad I could nail the atmosphere
Load More Replies... kristinak911 2 years ago
Beautiful... slightly "otherworldly", stark but stimulating...Not just eye catching, but Mind catching, dream like, and strangely calming, with just a touch of mystery.
Yehudit Hannah Cohn 4 years ago (edited)
Although I didn't always feel the liminality--perhaps even more off-center paths specifically leading nowhere? if you follow me--I liked many of the images: the capturing of light and color is stunning.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Aye, I did post many of these in a sense that I was also searching the feeling of liminality, these are good comments, there is always more to learn! Thank you
Load More Replies... Ellkje0805 4 years ago
Stunning! Such beautiful photographs! Looking forward to your future posts on BP
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
The solitude of the nature photos makes me want to be there. The empty urban ones, for the most part, make me glad I'm not.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago (edited)
Those spaces do express the two modalities of a same feeling. Like you said, in nature mostly solitude and in urban spaces loneliness. Both intriguing in their own right
Load More Replies... Anam 4 years ago
A strange silence took over me. The feeling of being alone, leaves crumbling under feet, serenity mixed with undertones of creepiness. Thoroughly enjoyed the post! It's almost a 3D experience.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
I am so grateful to hear this! The atmosphere you described was pretty much spot on with what I tried to convey
Load More Replies... Lyone Fein 4 years ago
These are fantastic photographs. I wish you could have given some brief descriptions to clue us in regarding the locations.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago
Thank you! I was thinking about some brief descriptions, but then I thought I'd just leave them to be interpreted by the observer. I have been giving brief descriptions in the comments when people have asked though!
Load More Replies... Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
These are fantastic. I believe that to do this kind of photography well you need to have the ability to look at places with a different kind of eye/observation. I have found that it requires a level of concentration and presence like nothing else. I can't describe the headspace I'm in when I take photos like this. I don't find it, it finds me.
Juuso Voutilainen (Post author) 4 years ago (edited)
Thank you! I think it sometimes it's more like places and moments are waiting for someone to discover them rather than someone discovering the places and moments
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