Junji Takasago: ‘Photographers are a bridge between humans and nature’

By means of his eloquent and clever photographs, photographer Junji Takasago, 60, makes the wonders of the pure world accessible to all. Born in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Takasago has labored with family names like Nationwide Geographic and Nikon and authored over 30 publications. In 2022, he received the Pure Artistry prize on the 58th version of the Wildlife Photographer of the Yr award with the picture “Heavenly flamingos.” Staged by the Pure Historical past Museum in London, the prize is the world’s most prestigious accolade awarded to nature photographers.

1. How did you begin your profession in pictures? Once I was in faculty, I didn’t know what to do after graduating, so I went on a working vacation in Australia for six months. I began diving as a result of the ocean was simply so stunning. I used to be already dabbling in pictures on the time, so I began taking pictures underwater, and when somebody purchased certainly one of my pictures, I spotted I might make a residing out of it. At first, I joined a diving journal, however then my pursuits grew wider, and I began taking pictures on land and even from the sky.

2. How did underwater pictures form you? Underwater pictures used to simply be about documenting the marine atmosphere in a scientific approach, however my take was extra aesthetic. I favored experimenting with gentle and making artwork. I began photographing in distinctive methods, corresponding to going out into the ocean at night time alone.