The 'real' Japan

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Japan | Monday, August 30, 2010 | 5 photos

Throughout my travelling life, I have very much been taken aback by the difference the stereotypical image of the places I have visited and the actual reality of what I experience while there. Not many picture modern Japan as a country with lush, green forests and nature but rather as a technological jungle built within canyons of concrete. The reality is that nature plays an incredibly important role in Japanese society and religion and has influenced the way the Japanese live since the dawn of civilization.
I have tried to portray that link between nature and its influence on spirituality within Japan throughout history. The Japanese have forged a culture and unique religious beliefs that links human endeavour with nature’s beauty.
Having begun seriously contemplating a career in photography while living in Japan from 2006-2008, most of my work and technique was self taught. Since moving back to my home country of Australia, I have undertaken tertiary education in the trade and am hugely keen on the prospect of plying my new found skills shooting and documenting a culture as ancient as Bhutan with the established National Geographic photographer, Jason Edwards.
This opportunity will further hone my skills by allowing me to draw upon the experience of a professional travel photographer to improve upon my previous foray into travel photography in Japan and put into practice the knowledge learnt throughout my tertiary education. All this combined will very much allow me as an emerging artist to gain confidence in my ability and improve my technique immensely.
Photography to me is ‘portraying a scene using available light that both look familiar to the viewer, yet intriguing in a way that’s completely foreign’.
I am very much looking forward to learning to improve my photography from this opportunity.