I first met Masako in a pre-posting workshop in Canada before we both moved with our husbands to Tokyo. While in Tokyo, I had the opportunity to attend one of Masakos’ photography exhibits in the artsy district neighbourhood of Omotosando. I have since followed her adventures as an artist and fellow expat through her breathtaking photos on Facebook.
Masako first became interested in photography in high school after joining a photography club. “I always liked taking photos of my friends or whatever was around me.” After her son was born and before going back to work, Masako took a photography class with a famous theater photographer. “I wanted to learn technique, but he kept saying, “ don’t worry about the details; just observe what is around you and keep taking (photographs of) whatever you feel for.”” Masako admits that, “cameras today are so technologically advanced that anyone can take a decent photo. The most important thing is not how to use the camera, but what and when to shoot so that you can capture a decisive moment.” When she took her instructor’s words to heart is when she really started to be a true photographer.
While living in Tokyo, Masako studied commercial photography, studio lighting and photo retouching at the Tokyo Photography School. She also learned how to take wedding photos at the Ebisu Wedding Photography School in Japan.
Her favorite subjects to shoot are people and places. “I shoot from the heart.” She finds inspiration on trips, while listening to music, watching movies, or viewing artwork. “But most importantly, I am inspired when I meet and talk with interesting people who have a passion for something – food, clothing, painting or helping others in need.”
Some famous photographers who have influenced and inspired her work are: Sebastiao Salgado; Henri Cartier-Bresson; Ansel Adams, and Mario Testino.
One of her most memorable moments shooting occurred while setting up a street photo in Tokyo. “I found an interesting sign on an old local shopping street and pointed my camera at it, but I needed something else in the frame to make the shot complete; something was missing. And then suddenly the perfect person for setting came walking toward the sign and I quickly popped the shutter. I was thrilled.”
While in Tokyo, Masako showed her work in five group photo exhibitions as well as one personal show. Currently living in Mexico City, she is finding new forms of inspiration in her surroundings. “There are so may interesting things to photograph in Mexico. The color and light here are very different from Japan and Canada.” Culture and history are also key components. “The architecture of run-down old buildings with Spanish influence really attracts me. I would like to shoot in an area called Tepito, however, they say that it is the most dangerous area of the city, particularly for a female foreigner like myself carrying an expansive camera around her neck.”
Masako is in the process of putting together a web site of her work. “I am still working on the name.” At first she was interested in developing a commercial web site that featured her wedding photography, but has now changed her mind. “I would like to make a more artistic site as a photographer, so I need to start over from the beginning.”
When asked if she could take photographs anywhere of anything in the world she replies, “Street culture in Havana, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and New York.”
She is truly an artist of the world.
