Japan: Building for the future

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Japan | Sunday, January 13, 2013 | flickr photos

Last year i made the best decision of my life. I chose to leave my job, and with my camera in hand, pack all of my life into a backpack and set off on an adventure to Japan and Eastern Europe.

As i began to immerse myself in so many diverse cultures, i discovered how powerful photography can be in telling stories. I found myself shying away from typical touristic shots, and instead searching for something different within a culture, something that told more of a story. As i did this, i began to meet more local people and hear their stories. I soon realized that travel was more than just beautiful cities and scenery.

Only in this past 18 months have i began to tailor my photography vision into what it is today. My vision is to take photographs that break down the walls of cultural difference and political abstractions, and instead, make connections on a human level.

The opportunity to work with Jason Edwards would be a priceless opportunity to get professional guidance and a professional insight into what the life of a professional photographer is all about, and ultimately to experience a new culture and challenge myself in the art of photographic storytelling.

Chris Barnes