Rintaro Ukon
1. Congratulations on winning in the Global 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?
Thank you very much. My name is Rintaro Ukon, a professional photographer from Japan. I began my career in landscape photography, fascinated by nature’s power and serenity. Later, I expanded into wedding photography, where I strive to merge human emotions with magnificent landscapes. One of my award-winning works, ICON, was inspired by the Greek origin of the word “icon,” meaning a sacred window. By framing Tokyo Skytree through a monument, I expressed the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary. I wanted to show that our everyday lives, when seen from another perspective, can be sacred and precious. Ultimately, this work carries a prayer: to recognize the hidden value of daily life, to live with gratitude, and to move forward with courage, confidence, and a spirit of solitude.
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?
ICON is about transformation. By capturing Skytree through the frame of a monument, I wanted to show that what we consider ordinary can suddenly appear sacred. The work reflects my belief that photography is not only about documenting reality but also about shifting perspective, inviting people to recognize the extraordinary in their own lives.
3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?
I choose works that embody my philosophy—images that carry both technical mastery and emotional resonance. For me, a competition entry must not only impress the eyes but also reach the heart.
4. What first made you pick up a camera?
It was my desire to preserve the invisible “aura” of places and moments. ICON reflects that same impulse—the wish to capture what lies beyond the visible.
5. What’s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?
I regularly practice Shinto training in Japan to cultivate concentration. This discipline influences me to see things in a simpler, more essential way, which is why I also love creating conceptual works like my award-winning piece ICON. However, my greatest passion is underwater photography through freediving. For me, it is not just about using a camera, but about how I can push my skills to the limit in such a challenging environment—a pursuit that excites me deeply.
6. What’s your go-to camera setup, and why does it work best for your projects? What’s your favorite feature?
My go-to setup is the SONY ?1 and the ?1 II, paired with wide-angle lenses. Their ability to capture decisive moments with unmatched reliability makes them the ultimate choice for a professional. But more than that, I’ve been a Sony fan since the DSLR era. Do you remember the legendary ?900? I admired that camera as a student, and ever since, I have been chasing my dreams with Sony by my side. To now stand here, holding a Category Winner of the Year honour with a Sony camera, is truly a dream fulfilled.
7. If someone looked at your work, what’s the one thing you’d want them to feel?
A realization—that even their everyday life is sacred and worth cherishing.
8. What was the most challenging part of capturing your winning shot?
The greatest challenge was to capture not just the landmark, but its invisible aura. Light, timing, and framing had to align perfectly to reveal the transformation from ordinary to sacred.
9. Is there a specific place or subject that inspires you the most?
Urban landscapes seen through symbolic frames inspire me most—like the moment Skytree became a sacred window in ICON.
10. Who or what has been your biggest influence in photography?
I have spent many years as a wedding photographer, and that experience has been one of my greatest influences. Weddings taught me that what feels extraordinary for one person can become an everyday moment for another. Since then, I have felt the responsibility to keep seeking that same sense of wonder and emotion, just as my clients do on their most important day. This philosophy has guided me toward a life of constant exploration. It led me to embrace spiritual practices such as Shinto waterfall training and extreme challenges like underwater freediving photography. These experiences sharpen my spirit, allowing me to see beyond appearances and capture the invisible essence, as reflected in ICON.
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?
The ocean and the mountains inspire me the most. When I return to nature, I feel both humble and renewed. The vastness of the sea and the silence of the mountains remind me of my smallness, yet also give me the strength to keep creating. Even when I photograph works like ICON in the city, the perspective I bring is shaped by these experiences in nature.
12. What’s one piece of advice for someone just starting in photography?
First of all, don’t hesitate to press the shutter and follow what you love. Keeping that feeling alive is the most important thing. Don’t worry about taking the “perfect” shot or about how others may see you. Just never forget the joy and excitement that rises within you when you take a photograph.
13. What role do editing and post-processing play in your creative workflow?
For me, editing is about refinement, not alteration. I place great importance on keeping the process simple, without relying on heavy or complex manipulation. Even in ICON, I used very few layers, focusing only on enhancing the light and perspective while preserving the essence of the scene.
14. How do you see technology, like AI, influencing the future of photography and your own approach?
When I first saw images created by AI, it felt as if the strongest rival had appeared—as if it were “humans vs. the Terminator” (laughs). But now, I feel differently. AI has actually highlighted how remarkable the time, effort, and process behind a human-made work truly are. Every human creation carries a story unique to its creator. That is our proof of life, our proof of humanity. AI has reminded me that people can only truly feel happiness through touching the lives and hearts of other people. That is why I continue to refine my mind, technique, and spirit to create—so that I can keep experiencing the greatest joy of being human.
15. If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what would it be?
I would love to photograph the “unseen windows” around the world—ordinary places that, when framed, transform into sacred icons. To do so, I know I still need to deepen my ability to truly see what is right in front of me. My journey is to cherish the everyday more deeply, to move between the ordinary and the extraordinary, and to keep traveling with that perspective.
