Abandoned Print Collection by Martin Osner

Step into a world where forgotten places and discarded objects take centre stage. In this evocative fine art series, Martin Osner captures the haunting beauty of abandoned spaces—weathered barns, rusting cars, forsaken homes, and relics of a past left behind. Over thirteen years in the making, this collection is a poignant reflection on consumerism, impermanence, and the quiet dignity of things once loved and now lost. Shot in moody, atmospheric light, each photograph invites you to pause, reflect, and see beauty where others see decay.

Discover the deeper meaning behind this powerful collection in two short documentary-style videos by Martin Osner. In his own words, Martin shares the inspiration, philosophy, and process that guided the making of Abandoned over more than a decade. From his unique approach to light and subject matter to the emotional weight carried by each forgotten object, these behind-the-scenes insights bring added depth and intimacy to the work.

Behind the Lens: The Story of Abandoned

The Complete Abandoned Print Collection

The One Photograph That Changed Everything

Join Martin Osner on a captivating exploration of his journey into fine art photography in this deeply personal video. In a recent interview, he was asked a simple question: What is the most important photograph you’ve ever taken? His answer was immediate—and surprisingly emotional.

In this revealing video, Martin shares the story behind the one photograph that changed everything. It wasn’t taken for a client, nor was it planned or styled. It was a deeply personal image—one that signalled a shift in how he saw the world, and ultimately became the starting point for the Abandoned Print Collection.

What followed was not a strategic pursuit, but a quiet, twelve-year walk alongside forgotten places. Martin made the decision early on not to search for subjects actively. He knew that if he set out to find them, the work might lose its raw honesty and become predictable. Instead, he stumbled upon these discarded gems during the course of his landscape photography travels.

That process—uncontrolled, intuitive, and often frustrating—defined the collection. Sometimes a perfect subject would appear, but the light was wrong, or the conditions didn't align. There were no second chances. But slowly, the collection grew. And when he reached the fortieth image, he knew it was finished. Whether you're an experienced photographer or simply drawn to the poetry of place, this video offers inspiration and insight into the quiet power of observation, patience, and light.

From Obsession to International Acclaim

What began as a quiet, personal project slowly evolved into a full creative obsession. Despite the deliberately slow pace at which the Abandoned Print Collection grew, Martin Osner found himself increasingly drawn into the stories of forgotten things—those left behind by a world in pursuit of the new. The more he allowed these subjects to find him, the more they demanded to be seen.

The collection’s first exhibition took place at the Gordart Gallery in Johannesburg with just twelve prints on display. Despite its modest scale, the show revealed the potential and emotional pull of the series. From there, the collection grew steadily, ultimately resulting in the release of a limited-edition coffee table book and a major international exhibition at the Stefanie Hoppen Gallery in London. It later travelled to Montreal, where it again captivated audiences drawn to the quiet dignity of forgotten places.

The first of two videos shared on this page was filmed in 2016—long before the project was complete. Shot with non-professional equipment, this 10-minute behind-the-scenes film has since been viewed over 130,000 times. It offers a raw, honest look into the heart of the project as it stood then: a reflection on the inspiration, process, and photographic philosophy that guided its early years.

Both videos offer a rare glimpse into a deeply personal journey—one that spans over a decade and has brought new life to things long forgotten. Whether you're a collector, a creative, or drawn to the unseen poetry of the everyday, this collection stands as a reminder that beauty often waits in the overlooked.

Limited Editions & Sizing Explained

Two preferred sizes are available: 60 x 77 cm & 80 x 110 cm. These dimensions include the white border.
These sizes have been thoughtfully chosen to highlight the detail, tone, and mood of each photograph, whether displayed in a home or gallery.

Custom sizing is available upon request; however, each print sold — regardless of size — contributes to the overall edition of 35. Once the edition is sold out, no further prints will be available in any format.

All prints are crafted using the latest museum-grade pigment printing technology on heavyweight archival cotton paper. Each artwork is hand-signed, editioned, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Martin Osner.

Each artwork in the Abandoned Print Collection is strictly limited to an edition of 35, regardless of the size selected. This ensures that no more than 35 prints of each image will ever be produced, preserving both its exclusivity and long-term value as a collector’s piece.

Preserving Beauty in the Forgotten

This collection is more than a series of photographs — it's a visual reflection on impermanence, nostalgia, and the silent dignity of objects once loved. Each piece tells a story not only of decay, but of memory, endurance, and rediscovery.

Owning a print from this collection means becoming part of a larger narrative — one that took thirteen years to unfold and that now lives on through curated collectors around the world.

Whether you're drawn to the soulful beauty of these forgotten places or the craftsmanship behind each artwork, we invite you to explore and collect a piece of this extraordinary journey.

“I’ve always believed it’s not about what one photographs, but how one photographs. The time spent capturing this collection has only deepened that conviction. Even the forgotten, the broken, and the abandoned can be brought back to life—when touched by the magic ingredient in photography called light.”
— Martin Osner