by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 16th of June 2025

For Kurosaki Sangan, photography is both a hobby and a means of enriching his life. He wants to create unique photographic works and share them with those who appreciate them. Rather than digital compositions, he creates analogue works by overlaying photographs on craft paper that has been painted with white oil paint. He creates his portraits with the intention of capturing the emotions of his subjects. Last but not least, he believes that compatibility with the model in terms of personality and aesthetic sensibility is more important than beauty.
Enjoy Kurosaki Sangan's unique and thoughtful work in this interview.

From de series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

Dear friend, first, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. To begin with, could you please introduce yourself briefly and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies and any other projects you are involved in?
I am a 51-year-old Japanese man who works in the construction industry and lives in Sapporo, the northern Japanese city that hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics. Photography is not my day job, but it is my life's work, and I hold solo photo exhibitions in my hometown of Sapporo. I take portraits of friends and fellow photographers. I help run a team called Photography Group 011 that organises local photo exhibitions. I also organise photo exhibitions called Compact Digital Exhibitions that use only compact digital cameras. My main activities are, of course, taking photos and exhibiting them. However, if photography is a type of art, I believe that art has an impact on society and culture. For this reason, I am working to increase the number of fellow photographers and convey the joy of taking photos to younger generations, from their teens to their thirties. I hope that photography will become part of local culture.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

How and when did you start your journey in photography?
I first took a photograph when I was a child; I borrowed my father's Ricoh Autohalf. When I started high school, I began to take photography more seriously as part of a club activity. I mainly took portraits of older students with a Minolta α7000 loaded with black-and-white film.

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you describe your relationship with photography?
For me, it is both a hobby and a means of enriching my life. As a portrait photographer, I often take photos of my friends. Taking photos gives me the opportunity to interact with my friends, talk about creating works and meet new people. I enjoy exhibiting my work at solo exhibitions and submitting it to 1x, where it has been selected on several occasions.

What has been the most important experience so far that has influenced your journey in photography?
Meeting two friends who have been my main photo models for the past eight years. Without them, I don't think I would have expanded my range of activities to this extent. To me, portrait photography is always a collaboration between photographer and subject. I believe that, to take good photographs, it is more important to be compatible with the model in terms of personality and aesthetic sensibility than to have a beautiful model. Beauty can be created later, but people's personalities cannot be changed so easily.

'Pas de visage' (no face)

'Résident du royaume des démons' (resident of the demon realm)

Describe your overall photographic vision.
It cannot be reproduced. I want to create unique photographic works and share them with people who want them. I would like to experiment with using non-traditional materials, such as washi paper, to create photographic works. I would also like to participate in an overseas exhibition.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside  me)

The unique processing, mood and emotional impact of your fine art portraits are outstanding! What is your secret, and what draws you to this type of photography?
One of the portrait series I created is called 'The Snowfield Inside Me'. It is not a digital composition, but an analogue one created by overlaying a photograph on craft paper that has been painted with white oil paint. I live in Sapporo, a city that gets a lot of snow, and I grew up surrounded by snowfields and snowstorms. The snowfield inside me represents that person's heart. I take photographs with the intention of expressing the feelings of the subjects, whether that be an innocent, pure heart like a snowfield or a raging snowstorm.

In your opinion, what are the main features of a successful portrait photographer?
I think it's someone who makes their subjects want to meet again.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

Could you tell us more about your creative process, from initial idea to final product?
I like improvisational photography. For example, if I want to take photos using stationery, I contact a friend who is a model and prepare items such as pencils, scissors and rulers. Then, I shoot on the spot using these items or make crafts. We share some ideas in advance, but we both like to exchange ideas and improvise on the day.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me) 

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

Where do you find inspiration for the visual stories you want to tell? What inspires you?
Japanese paintings and pictures from art, illustration and calligraphy exhibitions that my friends participate in greatly influence me. I think the reason I like taking flat photographs is because of the influence of the Japanese painter Katsushika Hokusai.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

Many people believe that gear is not very important when you are passionate about photography. However, could you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
I usually use cameras such as the Sony α7 IV, Nikon ZF, Leica SL and Leica Q.
I like to shoot with lenses wider than 28 mm and then crop the image.
I shoot using natural light, so I don't use lighting or a tripod, only my camera.
But these days, my favourite thing to do is use a non-woven fabric (like that used in masks) between the lens and the lens filter to obscure the subject.

朧  'Hazy'

Which photo is your favourite? Please tell us the story behind it.
As for my own photos, I particularly like the 'Snow Fields in Me' series. They require a lot of effort, so of course I take regular portraits too.

'Yukiko'

'fille au bord du lac' (girl at the lake)

'draw a wire line in the air'

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

Which photographers or mentors have influenced you and your photography, and whose work do you admire?
I admire the work of Japanese photographers Nobuyoshi Araki, Masahisa Fukase and Daido Moriyama. As for artists, my favourite would be the Japanese painter Katsushika Hokusai.

Now that we are almost at the end of this interview, could you please tell us about any photographic projects you would like to be involved in?
In 2025, I plan to hold three solo exhibitions in my hometown of Sapporo, as well as exhibit in around 12 exhibitions across Japan. I was also pleased to see a photo exhibition held in Japan as an official 1x event. However, as someone who lives in Japan, I would be even happier if I had the chance to participate in a real 1x photo exhibition in Europe. I don't think I can actually go, but if I submit my photos, they can travel the world without me having to spend a lot of money. I think that would be wonderful.

Is there anything else you would like to add, and what are your thoughts on using 1X as a home base for your work?
I like the 1X system and I think the logo is great. However, the range of portrait photography categories in Japan differs from those in Europe and the United States. At some exhibitions, photos that include just a person's feet can be treated as portraits. When I take such photos, I struggle to know which 1X genre they fall into. I hope to connect with many fellow photographers through 1x.
Thank you for this opportunity.

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)

From the series 'champ de neige en moi' (snowfield inside me)