Inside The Photographic Mind Of Scott Faithfull

Every now and then you come across someone whose warmth and passion makes you feel like you’ve known and loved them for years, and photographer Scott Faithfull is definitely one of these people.

An author and poet for over 22 years, having gotten his start at the tender age of 10,  Scott has written books including “My Dearest Ghost”, “Under The Burnt Leaves”, “I Am” and “Better Left Unsaid.”  before retiring in late 2007 to focus more on his photography work, a choice he made to allow him to remain creative as well as show how he sees the world through his lens.

And Queeried are definitely glad that Scott made that decision because this is a man whose photography is an engaging and captivating as the man himself.  Not willing to be limited to one style, Scott’s photography covers a broad range of subjects that have one thing in common – they’re impossible to draw your eye away from, whether it be a skyline, portrait or a simple, yet, beautifully taken piece of nature.

As you may have guessed by now, Queeried are big fans of Scott’s work so we were very keen to get hold of the man himself to learn a bit more about the photographer behind the camera and we’re very pleased to say that when we  rather tentatively approached him to ask he said yes!

So sit back with your cup of coffee and take some time out to discover the talent that is Scott Faithfull.

Your range of work shows you’re a very talented photographer, how long have you been taking photos for both generally and professionally? And what got you into it in the first place?

I’ve been taking photos pretty much my entire life. It ‘s something that I’ve always enjoyed for as long as I can remember. A trip to New York City in the winter of 2007 is what led me to doing photography and making it my main thing. It was during the holiday season and everything about the trip was so magical and of course New York City is by far the best place on earth. I was at a point in my life where I needed a change. I had spent most of my life as a writer and author and I wanted to do something else but yet still allow myself to be creative. Since that trip I gave up writing and turned to photography and haven’t stopped since. So far it’s been a wonderful experience.

What camera(s) do you shoot with? Is there one piece of kit (apart from your camera) that you simply can’t head out of the house without?

I currently use two different cameras for my work, a Sony Alpha and a Sony H3. Each of them serve a different purpose depending on what it is I’m shooting as each have different settings and features that the other one doesn’t have. There’s a lot I can’t leave the house without but I always seem to anyway such as my tripod. I have 6 of them now because of my forgetfulness. I try to make sure I have everything I need before heading out but there is always something I leave behind no matter what. The one thing I must always have with me and never forget is my ipod. Music is a must at all times.

Some photographers won’t let a piece of photo editing software anywhere near their photos, whereas for others it’s what really makes their photos. What camp do you fit into, or do you end up somewhere in the middle?

I’d have to say that I am somewhere in the middle. I don’t see anything wrong with doing a little tweaking here and there. For me it depends on the photo itself and I’ll spend a lot of time looking at it and really studying it to see if I need to tweak anything before I do. Sometimes it’s just a simple clean up or maybe sharpening the photo a little bit. It’s usually nothing too extreme. I have a lot of shots that look like they’ve been enhanced but they haven’t. My Sony H3 has its moments where something will malfunction and the end result is something pretty cool and I just leave it at that.

A lot of photographers tend to stick to one style. Looking at the different galleries on your site shows that you’re just as much at home (and as talented) taking portraits as landscapes or even nature shots. Do you prefer one over the other or does it depend on your mood?

I am always being asked what my style is and I can never explain it so I don’t bother to. I love variety and don’t see why anyone should have to limit themselves to just one particular style. The world is huge and there is so much out there and I try to capture as much of it as I can rather than focus on just one little part of it. I like to think that sets me apart from a lot of other photographers. I prefer to photograph anything that catches my eye, which is how it works for me. I’m not one of those who go out and study a location for hours looking for the best shot. I can see something and have a great shot within a few minutes and then be on my way to something else. I like to make it an adventure as much as possible.

You have an amazing talent for capturing moods in your photos, your gallery of sky images are not only beautifully captured but also have very chilled out feeling, whilst there’s a darker feeling to some of the photos in your Gallery Two. Do the photos you take tend to reflect the mood you’re in or are you able to create the mood through the lens regardless of how you’re feeling?

I think the mood creates itself with whatever it is I am photographing as I never set out to capture a certain mood of any kind much less anything to reflect my own. I can be in the worst mood but take a shot of something that people would associate being happy with.

Do you have to be in an inspired mood to head out with your camera or do you go out looking to be inspired?

I pretty much have to be in a mood to do anything these days and being inspired certainly helps. Funny enough it’s music that inspires me with my photography and I know that probably sounds odd to a lot of people but it’s true. Music has always been a huge influence on me and a source of inspiration for pretty much anything I do in life. There are also times I’ll just be out somewhere as I always have a camera with me at all times and I’ll suddenly become inspired for whatever reason and start shooting various things.

Your self portaits show that Scott Faithfull is a man of many moods, which portrait reflects best how you’re feeling right now?

I would have to say the one with my baseball cap pulled down over my face. That one seems to suit me most of the time and fit my mood. I’m a very private person and have my moments where I am happy keeping myself a bit hidden from the world. I’m certainly one who prefers to be behind the camera rather than be in front of it.

Do you have a favourite photo you’ve taken? If you do what is it that makes it so important to you?

I do have a few favourites actually and they are the ones that I cherish the most. Silver Tree Embrace is by far my most favourite and it’s the one that started it all for me as far as getting into photography. It’s such a magical photo in so many ways and means the most to me for various reasons. I still have my moments of staring at it in disbelief that I took such a photo. Sometimes it’s hard to realise it’s mine.

You sell your photography via All Things Alice. Can people also get you to take photos for them?

I’m certainly up for it and it’s something I would like to get into a lot more. I’ve done engagement photos and general portraits here and there and I’ve had a lot of fun with it. All anyone ever has to do is ask and I can always work out something.

You’ve recently added a new section to your site called I Killed The Monster where you feature your own writing. Does writing come as easy to you as photography?

I spent most of my life writing long before photography and it was something that I enjoyed and came easy for me. Eventually I had had enough of it and gave it up as far as a career. While I don’t plan on doing anymore books I still do write at times and I thought it would be nice to have a section on my website where I could post some of the stuff I’ve written whether it’s old or new. It’s just one more thing to share with those who have followed my work over the years and through my transition from writer to photographer. The name “I Killed The Monster” refers to giving up writing in a way as it became a monster to me in the later years and I just had to stop. So in a sense I killed it. (laughs)

Your photography has definitely inspired me to pick up my camera again, what would be your best bit of advice for someone trying to find a photography style of their own?

Just get out there and capture whatever attracts your eye. If you go looking for something in particular you won’t find it, so let it find you and it will.

Fallen in love with Scott and his photography? You can find out more about Scott’s work and contact him via the Scott Faithfull site,  buy prints at the All Things Alice site, and follow the man himself on @ScottFaithfull on Twitter.