Capturing the Fleeting Expressions of Nature | 10 Questions for Mitsuhiko Kamada | ISSUE #6

Born in 1967, residing in Sapporo. Works as a public servant while also being active as a landscape photographer.

Within a year of seriously starting photography, won the runner-up prize in one of the world's two major nature photography contests, 'Nature's Best Photography'. Won the same award again two years later. Additionally, participated in annual exhibitions at the 'Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History' in Washington D.C., and recently appeared in special programs on NHK and UHB (Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting).

A strong memory is from about 12 years ago when I took photos of cherry blossoms, which became the catalyst for taking photography seriously.

I thought just taking photos wasn't interesting, so I tried capturing reflections of cherry blossoms on a transparent table by the window, lying on the ground, or fogging the lens. The feeling of 'this is fun!' from that time remains strong and continues to this day.

I have no particular commitment to equipment.

Until recently, I was using a DSLR released 15 years ago. Having full-frame format equipment is sufficient, and I don't pursue functionality.
Photography is not about the equipment but about how you imagine 'I want to capture this' and creatively realize it in your own way.

I often listen to Western music, particularly 'R&B'.

I play 'R&B' playlists on subscription services in the car, imagining shooting concepts while traveling to the shooting location.

Czech photographer Martin Rak. He expresses landscape photography as 'art' at an unparalleled level.

He carefully considers how to express actual landscapes as well-formed compositions. His works, mainly capturing local Czech and European rural landscapes, have always impressed me with a sense of Japanese aesthetics, such as delicacy and spatial arrangement. However, there was no mention of 'Japanese' in his work descriptions or titles.

Yet, his latest photo book is titled '-komorebi-'. I was delighted to see this, as it confirmed my impressions. I aspire to approach this quality in my own way.

I am fully satisfied with my current SONY α7R Ⅲ, as I have no particular commitment to equipment.

Rather than the camera body, I want to pursue my expression through new shooting methods using peripheral devices. For example, I recently received many filters from a filter manufacturer, and I'm excited to experiment with them to express myself in new ways.

As reflected in my artist statement, my work theme is to express 'surreal landscapes as if seen in a dream' using real landscapes.

In specific situations, I aim to express 'textures reminiscent of Japanese paintings, scenes evoking picture books', and 'harmonious forms that nature momentarily reveals' as art pieces. This concept is always at the core of my shooting activities.

At famous shooting spots, I often see many people taking photos with similar cameras and lenses from the same position, and I wonder what's enjoyable about that.

Finding your own spot and capturing it with your unique sensibility makes the resulting excitement incomparable.

Recently, I've been buying clothes online more often. For clothes worn during shoots, I prioritize functionality over design.

I don't have any favorite settings.

I change settings according to the image I want to express at the time. During exhibitions, I'm often asked, 'What camera did you use for this work? What lens? What settings?' but natural landscapes never present the same situation twice.

It's about what you want to express and how you achieve it, which is something everyone experiments with to eventually establish their unique method of expression. Enjoying this process is part of creating art.