From Fleeting Glances to Timeless Images: Photographic Art by Rodrigo Izquierdo
June 16, 2025
Felipe Cuoco: Photographing the Soul of the Brazilian Wilderness
June 16, 2025
Aliace Uesan
Aliace Uesan is a Japan-based photographer whose work reframes the everyday by placing the familiar in unfamiliar contexts. Starting with a telescope and a fascination for observation, his practice has evolved into a quiet challenge inviting viewers to pause, unsee, and look again.
1Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I'm a photographer based in Japan, driven by a desire to reframe the familiar. My journey started with stargazing through a telescope, but the impulse to preserve what I saw led me to photography.
Since then, I’ve explored various genres—from cityscapes to cultural subjects—always with the aim of offering perspectives that feel both unexpected and intentional.
2Where did you study photography?
I’m largely self-taught. My approach is shaped by practical trial and error, supported by deep analysis of award-winning works and critical feedback. I often learn by reconstructing scenes in my mind, questioning not just how an image was made, but why.
3Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
Yes, I do. I bought my first camera specifically to photograph the stars. That very night, I attempted a star trail shot from my home in the city. Despite the heavy light pollution, the long exposure revealed vivid trails across the sky, and I remember feeling unexpectedly elated. It wasn’t technically perfect, but that excitement marked the beginning of everything.
4What equipment do you use?
My main setup is a Nikon Z6II with the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, ideal for architectural depth and tonal control. I also use the FUJIFILM X-T3 and Google Pixel with ND filters to test expressive limits across formats. Each tool is selected based on how it serves the vision, not its specs.
5What do you hope to achieve?
I aim to question assumptions—both visual and cultural—by creating works that shift familiar subjects into unfamiliar contexts. If I can make the viewer pause, reconsider, or rediscover something they thought they already knew, then I’ve succeeded.
6What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
Someone once told me, “Your photo didn’t just show the place—it made me feel like I was standing inside your thought process.” That meant more than any technical praise. It acknowledged the invisible architecture behind the image.
7What inspires your unique storytelling?
I’m inspired by the disconnect between form and perception. Architecture may be fixed, but our experience of it isn’t. I look for moments where light, angle, or rhythm creates a tension between what a place is and what it could mean.
8Congratulations! As the winner of the New York Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Winning at the New York Photography Awards affirms the value of architectural expression that balances restraint with power. It’s not just a personal honor—it signals that minimal yet intentional visual strategies can resonate globally. For me, it’s a reminder that subtlety is not weakness, but strength.
9Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the New York Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
The winning piece, Illuminated Majesty, captures the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building bathed in bold red light. I chose a low angle to emphasize its commanding presence and layered modernism. I entered this work because it symbolized my ongoing pursuit: making architecture not just seen, but felt—deeply and immediately.
10How has winning an award developed your career?
Winning awards has given my work visibility beyond borders, but more importantly, it has sharpened my internal compass. Each submission forces me to clarify what I stand for, and each award reminds me that photography is not just about seeing—but about asserting meaning.
11Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Honestly, I didn’t start with any particular photographers in mind. I didn’t want to build my vision on someone else’s. From the beginning, I was focused on constructing images through my own experimentation—testing exposure settings, lighting, and timing through repetition, and learning how changes affected the final image. That became my foundation.
12What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
I actually didn’t receive advice from a mentor—I chose to learn through direct experience. I wanted to understand not just “what works,” but “why it works” by seeing the results with my own eyes. That mindset—of constant testing and reflection—taught me far more than any single piece of advice could.
13What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Start by absorbing, then subtract. Learn everything you can—then gradually let go of what doesn’t belong to you. The goal isn’t to imitate but to reveal your way of seeing. That takes time, but it’s worth it.
14What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Curiosity paired with discipline. Success doesn’t come from chasing recognition—it comes from showing up, over and over again, with intent. Make every image answer the question: “Why does this need to exist?”
15How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I try to stay a beginner in at least one area at all times—whether it’s a new genre, technique, or perspective. Humility sustains growth. I also ask myself regularly: “Have I started making safe images?” If the answer is yes, I disrupt the routine.
16Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Photography is often described as a visual language, but I see it more as architectural thinking applied to perception. My process is not just about images, but about constructing how an audience engages with what they see.
Winning Entry
Illuminated Majesty | 2024 New York Photography Awards
In this photograph, I aimed to portray the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as a symbol of resilience and sophistication, illuminated in bold red against the tranquil night sky. By capturing the structure from a low angle, I emphasized its monumental presence and architectural grandeur. The vibrant lighting allowed me to highlight the harmony between the building's modern design and its commanding elegance...
Click here to explore the winner's page for this visual art.
