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Picturing Britain

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Adil Ray looks at life through the lens of contemporary photographers

Picturing Britain: Series 2

Picturing Britain: Series 2: Episode 5: Beyond the Security Fence

Episode 5

Episode 5: Beyond the Security Fence

Series 2

Beyond the Security Fence

BBC Radio 4 - Picturing Britain, Series 2, Beyond the Security Fence

Adil Ray looks at life through the camera lens of an urban explorer.

Adil Ray joins urban explorer Li, as he photographs a derelict military site, clambering through nettles and abandoned buildings to document a hidden side of Britain.

In Picturing Britain, Adil Ray explores British life through the lens of some of the country's photographers.

Urban explorers creep through tunnels and drains, scale cooling towers and climb into abandoned buildings to get into parts of the country that are off-limits. Adil joins Li as he photographs a derelict military site, clambering through nettles and decaying buildings to document a hidden side of Britain. Although unusually Li has permission to photograph, Adil is still on his guard, tiptoeing through the crumbling ruins and jumping at every sound.

By day Li works with architects constructing buildings. But at night he dons his black clothes and grabs his camera and torch to record their demise. He sees himself as a modern day historian, safeguarding Britain's heritage by photographing buildings before they are torn down or collapse.

Urbexers, as they call themselves, emphasise that they have huge respect for the buildings they enter - and that they frown upon theft and leave nothing but footprints. Adil examines the ethics of trespass with Li as he photographs ivy bursting through a window, showing the beauty of decay and allure of peeling paint.

Producer: Sarah Bowen.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Adil Ray views Britain through the lens of five different types of photographer

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Picturing Britain

Series 2

Episode 5: Beyond the Security Fence

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