For the past four years, I’ve worked as a New York City location scout finding locations for feature films. I’ve been pretty much everywhere at this point, from the highest rooftops to the deepest subway tunnels, from abandoned ruins to zillion-dollar luxury penthouse apartments.

What always amazes me about New York is how much there is to see if you pay attention. Every street has a hidden gem or two, and yet they go largely ignored by thousands of passersby daily who simply don’t have the time to look around them.

As it happens, my entire job consists of looking, and I’ve started this blog to keep a record of what I see.

-SCOUT

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  1. Kevin Walsh Avatar

    Nice stuff!

    It’s GOOD to be the only one on the blog roll!

    http://www.forgotten-ny.com

  2. MIchelle McCormack Avatar

    Fantastic blog, I’m looking forward to this one!

  3. Paola Avatar
    Paola

    Please don’t stop!

  4. J. C. Fitzgerald Avatar
    J. C. Fitzgerald

    loved your shot of the Zoroaster clock. I work Chicago and find myself discovering many visual gems. My daughter just moved to Bushwick and my annual visits to NYC have loaded my FZ8 with many unique perspectives. Keep up the good work. I like what I see in your view finder. JCF

  5. Applez Avatar
    Applez

    Just dropping a note to say how much I love your site. I could sit here and read this stuff for hours. You are a good photographer, by the way.

  6. Teaflax Avatar
    Teaflax

    I just wanted to say that I’ve looked through your entire blog and enjoyed it immensely. Keep up the good work.

  7. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    I’ve looked through all of your posts and loved each one. I am also a sucker for architectural details, and have been known to photograph them when I get my hands on a camera.

    I’ve only been to New York once, and then, only walked around Midtown, the financial district and across the Brooklyn Bridge.

    Until I find a job in New York, I’m relying on you to take shots of all the cool stuff I can’t see!

  8. joy Avatar

    LOVE this blog. You had me from the first post I saw – about the Zoroaster clock. I pass it every time I take the bus home, which is sometimes the best way to sit and just look up at buildings. But I’ve never stopped to take in the details of this clock.

    Awesome. Thanks. I’m looking forward to seeing/reading more from you.

  9. Rodrigo Arrais Avatar
    Rodrigo Arrais

    Please don`t stop…it`s an amazing experience looking at the photos of hidden NY. And i`ll be looking from Brazil all the time…congratulations!

  10. Aeirlys Avatar
    Aeirlys

    Fantabulous! The next time I get mocked by a native for looking up (or around or down) while I’m walking to work I’m directing them to this blog.

  11. Martina Avatar

    Wow – I am blown away! I love your blog – it is unique and beautifully presented and best of all, about my second favourite place in the world – next to my Sydney, Australia hometown. I have traveled to New York five times and every time I find something new and amazing to do or see. My last trip was with my children and to see the city through a child’s eyes was a refreshing change. I will be checking back regularly to see what other gems you find in this wonderful city so keep up the great work.

  12. anna Avatar
    anna

    I own a magnificent waterfront property in Great Neck, (Kings Point), NY that I can offer for a photo shoot/commercial/scene of a movie. It is a VERY UNIQUE house. Other than the magnificent views of the water, the interior is breathtaking (Versallish style) with very high ceilings and arched decorative constrction. The house is very traditional looking with lots of moulding details in gold. We are still doing our final decorative paintings inside but until then (since we have not moved in yet), and it is completely unfurnished, I would consider the opportunity for a shoot if it is in the immediate future or the next couple of months.

  13. Rachel Teplow Avatar
    Rachel Teplow

    Just found your site because of WNYC and promptly bookmarked it. I’m also a fan of most of the places on your Blogroll, especially Forgotten NY.

    Your tags are great! Very creative categories. May I put in a vote for adding them to the right-hand column (but still keeping them at the end of each entry)?

    Anyhow, nice job!

  14. […] it happens, it’s my job to pay attention, and I’ve started scoutingny.com to keep a record of what I see.” – SCOUT Tribeca […]

  15. Zac Avatar

    Hey there, just wanted to compliment you on your blog and pictures, but I know you get lots of compliments! I also just wanted to let you know, that because of your blog, you’ve taught me to take a closer look at the hidden treasures in NYC, and every time I go into the city, which seems to be more and more these days, I keep my eyes peeled, and I’m going to also post them in my blog! so thanks!

    Zac

    ps: I’ve linked to you in one of my posts

  16. Al D. Avatar
    Al D.

    Thanks for the pics. Your roof shots reminded me that 77 Water St. has an interesting roof. My office in 55 Water St used to overlook it.

    http://preview.tinyurl.com/d9y9tt (I can’t get Google Maps to save teh zoom-in settings)

    What you see is a half-scale (?) model WW-I airplane on astroturf.

    Any Manhattan building with “7” in the address might have interesting features. Mostly I know interior lobbies that I know of. . 77 Water did and what was the Playboy (or Penthouse) offices near 3rd & 47th did. Also 17 State St. The only roof I saw was 77 Water.

    Circa 1980, I worked with the sister of the landlord’s chief engineer. someone obsessed with “7” and odd industrial design and rich enough to invest in real estate bought these buildings. I never saw a complete list.

    On gargoyles. The building on the SE corner of 29th & Madison has a few above the second floor.

  17. TG Avatar
    TG

    This blog is exactly what I wanted. Real shots of the real NYC. Quirks, mysteries, and grandeur. So cool.

  18. Leon Avatar

    Very Nice.
    Thanks for Sharing!

  19. Erling Andersen Avatar
    Erling Andersen

    I’m just a guy from Norway that loves New York. Lately, after having found your blog, I love it even more.

    Thanks a lot for sharing all this beautiful information with us. Your work rocks.

  20. JPC Avatar
    JPC

    AMAZING !!! I live in Paris and your blog just shouts at me : “come to NYC right now !”. Thanks for the wonderful job, looking at your pictures is really moving…