HIROTO FUKUDA

I fell in love with the common kingfisher at first sight, which led me to take up photography in earnest; I simply wanted to capture its beautiful appearance in my photographs.

My photography focuses on wild birds. I love both the birds themselves—soaring through the open sky—and the natural world, which is why I chose this as my theme. Due to a current illness, I now photograph whenever I am able, and I am focusing my efforts on sharing the work I have created so far with the rest of the world.

When I first began photography, I focused on capturing the dynamic, fleeting moments of wild birds taking flight. Now, I also place great value on capturing moments of stillness. Through my photographs of red-crowned cranes, I aim to express a distinctly Japanese aesthetic.

Falling ill has had a major impact on my life. I now continue my work as a photographer while visiting the hospital three days a week. Although I can no longer shoot as freely as I once did, I pour my very life and soul into every single moment I capture. I find myself reflecting more deeply than ever before on how to spend the limited time I have.

Intuition, preparation, and technical knowledge are all vital. More often than not, wild birds and nature do not behave the way you might wish. I rely on my technical knowledge to prepare thoroughly for a shoot, and then trust my intuition as I go about capturing my images.

I have been photographing red-crowned cranes at a sanctuary in Tsurui Village, Hokkaido, for over 14 years—a pursuit that led me to relocate to the region. The site is protected by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, and during the winter, supplemental feeding is provided to support the birds, drawing large numbers of them to the area. Capturing these cranes often means enduring extreme cold, with early morning temperatures sometimes dropping as low as -20°C.

The beauty of the red-crowned crane’s gaze, its pose, and the uncluttered background—all of these elements made it clear that this was a truly special moment.

Everything. It is the layering of everything that brought this work into being.

It would be wonderful if you could develop an enduring commitment to protecting our beautiful Earth—its nature and all its living creatures—and if you could also hold a desire for peace in your heart.

Through photography, I have come to realize that everything is connected. The Earth, people, nature, living creatures—all of these are linked, forming the world as we know it. Every aspect of our daily lives is a precious moment.

I hope that the world will remain at peace forever.

I am deeply honored and delighted to have received this recognition. It has given fresh momentum to my work as a photographer and strengthened my resolve in the fight against my illness.

I am currently focused on photographing red-crowned cranes. My plan is to first hold a photography exhibition, and eventually, to publish a photo book. I aspire to develop my career not only as a photographer but also as an artist.

Receiving this award was a truly delightful and honorable experience. I cannot think of any specific improvements for future editions; I believe maintaining the current approach is perfectly fine.

This might be a bit off-topic, but how about offering the publication of a photo book as a prize for the winner? When I won the Grand Prix in a competition, the prize was the publication of a photo book featuring my work on kingfishers—which effectively launched my career as a photographer. That publication served as a major turning point for me. I believe it would be a fantastic opportunity for the winner if this could be arranged.