How to Capture the Pulse of a Place With Yuma Yamashita

Name:
DELSEY PARIS x VISUALPLEASURE
NEW HORIZONS - WORLD TOUR 2024
Japan Artist of the week - With Yuma Yamashita
Photography:
Yuma Yamashita
Words:
Erica Nichols

To see Tokyo through the lens of Yuma Yamashita is to experience the city in its most authentic state. Honest, diverse — a place where tradition and tomorrow coexist seamlessly. A self-taught photographer, Yamashita developed a unique style capturing the candid parts of living in the Japanese metropolis; the people, the places, the moments that happen even when no one is looking. Read more about his signature street photography below.

VISUAL PLEASURE Magazine:
What drew you to street photography?

Yuma Yamashita: There are multiple definitions of street photography. It can be a photography style that is derived from street culture, or a style that captures candid parts of people living in the city. I like both styles, but when it comes to street culture, I've always liked hip-hop and R&B, and I like the colors and compositions of music videos from the 90s and early 2000s, so that's a big inspiration for me.

I think another appeal of street photography is the raw depiction of the city and people that can only be captured at that time. To me, it is a way of realizing that there are as many irreplaceable lives as the number of people we pass by, and empathize with them.

How did you develop your photography style and transition into a full-fledged career?

Before starting photography, I was a chef at a ramen restaurant. I started photography after purchasing an iPhone. Originally, I liked the city of New York and followed photographers who were based there. Inspired by them, I developed my photography style to portray Tokyo’s charms, that had not yet been exposed to the world, in my own way. It’s an honor that taking photos seriously with my iPhone caught Apple’s attention, leading me to step into the professional world.

What projects excite you the most?

I love Japan, and I'm happy to let more people know about this beautiful country. Fortunately, I receive many proposals from overseas companies who want to carry out creative photoshoots that take advantage of the best aspects of Japan, and it would be my pleasure if I could become part of their learning experience about Japan's charms, even if it was just a little. There are still many things I don't know about Japan's traditions and history, and I’m looking forward to developing a way of incorporating those into my photography to share with the world.

“I think another appeal of street photography is the raw depiction of the city and people that can only be captured at that time”

What is your creative process like?

There is usually no difference between commercial and personal projects. I value the ideas and sensibilities that come to me intuitively, so if possible I would avoid having any prior information. I prefer not to do location hunting as well. Though, I understand that preparation is important for certain projects.

Talk to us about Tokyo. What do you love capturing here?

Tokyo is an interesting city. The historic and urban areas coexist, and the city is evolving every day. There are many unique shrines, temples, architecture and museums. It's also interesting to experience completely different atmospheres when you change train routes and go to different areas. Even within Tokyo, each area has completely different charms. I also think that Tokyo is the best place in the world when it comes to food. Across different cuisines, Japan's delicate consciousness prevails, and you would not be disappointed. I especially recommend ramen.

What factors are most important to you when shooting?

I believe that more than camera settings or composition, it is important to have a firm mindset that serves as your base. It’s not my religious belief, but I feel resonance with Animism in which God is said to reside in all things. I believe that there are moments and feelings that you won't notice if you don't stay peaceful and be grateful for everything.

Tell us about Inspiration Cult Magazine and how this passion project came to be.

ICM is a group that creatively expresses street culture with a focus on photography and video, with the aim of spreading the culture from Tokyo to the world. In 2016, I started it with myself, a friend who lives in New York, and his friend whom I was introduced to. Not limited to the expressions on Instagram and social media, we have been successfully developing connections and exchanging Tokyo’s street culture through music events, photo exhibitions and magazines.

Where do you go when you need inspiration? Any local places?

My work makes me visit rural areas and when I do so, I actively talk to local people there and gain new experiences and knowledge to keep myself inspired. It's not far to go to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo, and going to see the sunrise on Mt. Fuji also always has a positive influence.

How does travel influence your work as an artist and your worldview? Are there any specific travel stories or experiences that stand out?

Traveling to new places is exciting and it feels as if your senses are sharpened. After seeing and feeling with your own eyes, the photos taken vividly bring me back to that moment. Last year, I purposelessly went on a spontaneous trip to Nara by myself during the cherry blossom season, but when I arrived at night, it was pouring rain. Despite that, I went to a temple that I was interested in. The moment I arrived at the temple, which was empty due to the weather, the rain stopped and fog came out—the light from the cherry blossoms was diffused by the fog, creating a fantastic sight, and I was immersed in shooting the moment. What I realized, once again, was the importance of trusting your intuition and acting on it.

Talk to us about what you created for DELSEY.

The concept of this photo shoot was to find out what foreign visitors to Japan would be excited about and inspired by during their stay in Japan. I thought about this in my own way. For one, the essence of the beautiful cherry blossoms. I’ve heard that foreign visitors are often impressed by Japanese convenience stores, so I decided to shoot there, as well. I also shot Crossing Street in Shibuya, which is the most famous street in Japan, a place that everyone wants to visit.

What’s in your DELSEY?

1. Richo GR IIIx: My favorite camera. It’s the best and so compact that it fits in your pocket, allowing you to capture the moment.

2. New Balance 2002 R GoreTex: Waterproof sneakers that do not tire you no matter how much you walk.

3. Nochino Optical: Favorite sunglasses