Tomoaki Katsuba
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I am a Japanese photographer based in Hong Kong. My photography journey began when I purchased my first SLR camera in 1998 to record my overseas travels. It was merely a hobby until I started offering professional photography services in late 2018.
While my photography services are mainly business and branding portraits, my artistic endeavours primarily focus on capturing landscapes, cityscapes, and streets that have deeply inspired me across the globe.
Through my artwork, I aim to transform everyday scenes into extraordinary visual narratives, imbuing a profound sense of mood and emotional depth.
2. Where did you study photography?
When I was a hobbyist photographer, I did not study photography as I wasn't interested in techniques. Since I decided to start offering professional photography services, I have taken a series of physical workshops as well as online courses led by world-class photographers.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
A cityscape of Perth, Australia from a hill around mid-day.
4. What do you hope to achieve?
One day, I would like to have my exhibitions and gallery around the world.
5. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
Someone once told me that he could stare at my work for hours and not get bored. It was a touching comment from someone who appreciates my work.
6. What inspires your unique storytelling?
The allure of nature, the grandeur of human ingenuity, and a mixture of both.
7. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Creative, Emotion, and Mood.
8. Congratulations! As the winner of the London Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
I am extremely honoured and happy to receive the awards. This encourages me to pursue this path further, improving my skills and inspiring others.
9. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 London Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Slovenia was one of my priority destinations for photography since I had come across its incredible scenery captured by one of my favourite photographers, Mr. Piotr Skrzypiec. However, I couldn't visit there until last December due to the global pandemic.
In Dec 2023, I was fortunate enough to be guided by Piotr himself across Slovenia and to capture its incredible landscape. It was one of the best moments of my photography journey.
The scenes I captured were taken on an ordinary winter morning in Slovenia with a sea of clouds covering the terrain. As time passed, the clouds moved gracefully, the sun lit the clouds and terrain gently in beautiful colours, and what was beneath the clouds kept appearing and hiding from the clouds.
All those came together to create extraordinary scenes that made me speechless.
10. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Street Photography: Fan Ho
Landscape Photography: Piotr Skrzypiec
11. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Set a specific goal through photography and identify the most efficient and effective way to achieve it. Focus on what part of photography positively affects you to maintain your perseverance.
12. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Define what success is so that we can identify the most efficient and effective way to achieve it. Then all we need is perseverance.
13. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
Keep setting higher goals so that we keep learning to achieve them.
14. Which THREE (3) friends/peers would you nominate to participate in the next London Photography Awards?
Chris Baker
Kelly Hopson
15. Which THREE (3) peers, within the photography industry, would you nominate to be a judge in the next London Photography Awards? (You may include yourself within, and please include the email addresses)
Tomoaki Katsuba (info@tkpaofficial.com)
Piotr Skrzypiec (n.a.)
Vincenzo Mazza (n.a.)
