Scott W. H. Young

Scott W. H. Young

New York

flickr website

Can photography be a form of escapism?

Oh certainly. A photograph has the power to take both the viewer and the photographer to places they've never been or never even knew existed.

The photographs that I'm drawn to the most are those that allow me to see a familiar thing in an unfamiliar way. That's something that I'm working on right now with my own photography, finding revelation in the everyday.

How did you come up with your project "from above"?

It began with a particular photograph that showed what was to me a striking perspective of the city sidewalk. I wanted to continue exploring this point of view. I'm still now working out just how many different ways I can take a photograph from above.

Do you prefer to work alone or do you enjoy collaborations or the assistance/company of other artists?

While I enjoy working alone and exploring my ideas in my own ways, I think that collaborations are important for expanding and refining my knowledge and my skill set. I find that sharing ideas with others is a great way to develop my own thoughts and goals.

And I definitely love being in the company of artists. I don't quite consider myself an artist just yet, as I'm still searching for what it is exactly I want to say with my work, but being around and speaking with other artists lets me see how they view the world and how they communicate their own thoughts and ideas. Always fascinating.

If you were to publish a book of your work, what would you name it?

Self and Unself

Your favourite line from a book/movie/song? 

I've recently been listening to "The Dodos." Their song "Winter" is about loss and loneliness. They sing, "My friends they understand me better, but they don't whisper goodnight" and "Your love might be the last time that I try."

I've also been reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. A beautiful passage comes in the middle of the third part that speaks to the value of hard work and the importance of connecting to your environment. One of the central characters, who owns a large farm, begins mowing one of his fields by hand. He becomes super focused and determined to complete his task and he soon starts to feel a spiritual connection between his toiling body and the earth beneath him. The passage concludes with, "The scythe seemed to mow itself. Those were happy moments."

And as for movies, I think that Woody Allen's "Love and Death" is just hilarious. I would end up quoting the entire movie if I had to choose a favorite.

What do you cherish most about nature photography (or simply taking pictures outdoors)?

I enjoy nature as a counterpoint to the city. Taking photographs outdoors in New York City, which is one of my favorite activities, allows me to explore and discover how we've altered our natural environment and how we interact with our new urban surroundings. Also I love tall buildings.

Do you ever miss elementary/highschool?

I sometimes miss the friendships of high school and I always miss the carefree spirit of elementary school.

Is there some ingredients that will, with a high probability, guarantee a good picture?

When I take a photo of something that I love, it will always turn out well.

Why do you think photographers often deem traveling so important for themselves and their work?

Traveling presents a wonderful opportunity for experiencing and understanding new people, new environments, new colors, new light. I've found by my own traveling that I've been able to broaden not only my ideas of what photography can be but also my ideas on what human interactions with each other and their environment can be. Yay traveling!

For you, what's the best season for traveling?

The sunny season :)

Light, city, dust, smoke and fresh air. Take a look at his work!