Mitsutaka Tsuryu
1. Congratulations on winning in the European Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?
I am drawn to the quiet moments hidden within urban life. What first inspired me was the way light and shadow transform ordinary streets into something timeless. My journey in photography has been about learning to see simplicity and silence in the midst of noise, and I feel it is still only the beginning.
2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?
The winning work was born from a fleeting moment of light in the city, a scene most people might pass by. Winning this award encourages me to continue searching for those unnoticed fragments of beauty that define my vision.
3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?
I choose images that remain strong even after time has passed—works that still speak to me with clarity and simplicity long after I captured them.
4. What first made you pick up a camera?
The desire to preserve quiet, delicate moments that would otherwise disappear. Photography became a way to hold onto those fragments of time.
5. What’s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?
Minimalist and urban black-and-white photography. I love how stripping away colour allows silence, light, and structure to speak more strongly.
6. What’s your go-to camera setup, and why does it work best for your projects? What’s your favorite feature?
My preference is for a lightweight, responsive camera that allows me to move unnoticed and capture fleeting light instantly. The tool matters less than the ability to stay connected to the moment.
7. If someone looked at your work, what’s the one thing you’d want them to feel?
I hope they feel a sense of calm, as if they have discovered silence hidden inside the city’s noise.
8. What was the most challenging part of capturing your winning shot?
Balancing the presence of people with the quiet atmosphere—making sure the image holds both life and stillness at once.
9. Is there a specific place or subject that inspires you the most?
I am most inspired by light and shadow in the city—how they transform ordinary spaces into something timeless and silent.
10. Who or what has been your biggest influence in photography?
Beyond photography itself, I am influenced by literature, architecture, and the rhythm of everyday life. These shape the way I see and frame the world.
11. What message would you share to inspire photographers to participate in photography awards, and what advice would you give to help them excel in the competition?
Competitions are not the end of the journey but small lights along the path. Stay true to your own vision—authentic work always speaks louder than trends.
12. What’s one piece of advice for someone just starting in photography?
Ask yourself not only how to take a photograph, but why. Purpose gives meaning to every frame.
13. What role do editing and post-processing play in your creative workflow?
Editing is a quiet extension of seeing. I use it not to transform the scene but to refine the silence and clarity that were already there.
14. How do you see technology, like AI, influencing the future of photography and your own approach?
AI will expand what is possible, but the soul of an image will always come from human perception and intention. Technology can assist, but meaning remains human.
15. If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what would it be?
I would seek out unnamed, unnoticed scenes—places that carry silence and light but have yet to be discovered.
