A blog to read | Our Ruins

Abandoned places are one of my favourite subjects. Not to visit, really - aside from an East German skate park and a VW camper van graveyard, I don't have the bottle for that.

Besides, other folks cover them far better - Worship Blues' post on Porto being one of the best examples I've ever seen.

Our Ruins is a blog that focus exclusively on abandoned places. And it's stunning. Truly stunning. Incredible places, with flawless photography. If you like abandoned places, this is one to bookmark, follow, read, and absorb.

The pictures are mostly (perhaps exclusively) locations in Texas. These guys clearly have an abundance of suitable places on their doorstep; however, we all do - I'm sure of it - and it takes real skill, commitment, and courage to go out and shoot them.

Take a look at their blog, gain some inspiration, and go and shoot!

Images: Our Ruins and one from me of the German skate park.

The Calvert Journal | Inspiration from Russia

Russia has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the past few years and, not to get political, it doesn't look like that will change any time soon.

That said, we shouldn't overlook the culture, art, and other creativity that emerges from this huge and hugely diverse country - which is exactly what The Calvert Journal encourages us not to do.

Showcasing photography, places, films, and fashion from Russia and Eastern Europe, The Calvert Journal provides a different, and often introspective, angle on the country and it's people.

The photography in particular is staggering - for those who love the abandoned and desolate, check out these pieces on decaying Ukrainian industry and life in the far north of Russia.

The website itself is so slick, you can lose yourself in it for a whole afternoon, if you're not careful. Dangerous for us freelancers, but I'd still encourage you to take a look.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out BBC News Magazine.