One chance encounter with a postcard of Big Sur, USA, changed the life of a Kenji Yamamura in January 2013. His life’s mission began: To deliver the moving moments with landscape to the world through pictures.
You say a trip to Big Sur, inspired you to become a photographer. What career did you leave and was it hard to just become something new career-wise? What challenges did you face? And, what was it about Big Sur that inspired this?
I got in photography deeply when I just finished my MBA to help my father’s company. It was hard to decide but doing what I liked was most important for me. I believe that making that “decision” is the biggest challenge. After making that decision, it was not so hard, and I keep moving forward. Big Sir was the critical point to change my life to think what I want to do.
Who were the mentors who helped to shape your practice?
Frans Lanting is my first teacher. I attended his workshop for 5 days. I learned the basic of the photography. Why I am shooting this, what touched to my heart, what do I want to share with the others, and more. I was shooting only landscape photos at that time, but the workshop pushed me to shoot macro, portrait, animal, and other subjects as well. At first, I thought, “why do I have to learn to shoot all kinds of photos?” but shooting different genres of photography gave me a chance to levelled up me to the next point. It was the must process for me.
Who do you count among your biggest influences, photographically or otherwise?
Chip Phillips, Sean Bagshaw, and Eliza Locardi are my influencers. I checked their tutorial videos and talked with them to understand more in details. They let me understand how the post-processing is significant to make the photos as your work.
Tell us about what inspired the photographs you are exhibiting in the Sofitel in Abu Dhabi. Did the final result come close to what you had envisioned in the beginning?
The result of all of the photos is what I expected. I usually imagine what I want to see, scout the location for a couple of times, and plan when is the best time to go to capture what I want. Most of my works are based on careful planning.
For you, what is the appeal of landscape images to you that isn’t found in other genres, such as portrait or still-life?
First, the best appeal of landscape images is when you meet at the most beautiful moment. Landscape photography as mentioned before needs careful planning and a little bit of luck when you plan for years and waiting for dream views to come true.
When you finally meet that moment, all the hard work pays off. The stunning view of nature makes you speechless. There are a couple of times in my life that I just had to stop taking photos to enjoy the moment since it was too beautiful.
Second, challenge with nature. Again, we cannot manipulate the weather and seasons. Depending on the conditions, us photographers have to wait for years to capture the moment. It’s like waiting for your soul mate to appear.
What’s the key to making a great landscape photograph? Is it the same as making a great photograph in general?
The keys to making a great landscape photograph are one, “Being at the right place at the right time”, second capturing the light. You need to know WHEN is the best timing to photograph and the lighting situation since the lights changes depending on the location so that you need to know WHERE to capture it.
Do you have guiding principles that you follow when you’re making pictures? Is there an underlying philosophy that binds all your work together?
I ask by myself, WHY and WHAT is beautiful. Your camera doesn’t know WHY and WHAT I am taking the photo. Camera functionalities have limitations and depend on my reason why I am taking the photo; those limitations may conflict to my idea. People eyes tend to see the area where is a focus, bright and warm colors than cool colors but the camera doesn’t understand that. Similarly, I know what the main subject is but the camera doesn’t know it. The photographer has to understand these principles to capture your creativity.
What are the greatest challenges of making a living as a photographic artist. What are the keys to succeeding at it?
I believe that keep your foot on your track what you want to do is the key to success. Taking a job that you are not really into it would slow things down. For example, as a landscape photographer, do not take jobs as the portrait photographer. To learn, of course, it is a good idea to know the basics of it. However, once you start charging for what you are passionate about that becomes your job and would not fulfill your passion.
It takes time and effort to make a living with any genre of photography, but to pursue your passion, you must keep doing what you are passionate.
Finally, can you share some landscape subjects that you looking forward to over the next few years?
I am planning to go to Lofoten Islands for northern light and also to Uyuni Salt Lake in South Bolivia during winter. I think these locations are exciting to go because I get to take one of the most exciting photos of reflection and northern lights. It is always exciting to go hunt for new places. So, I can share my experience through my website.
