Toru Nagahama was born in Tokyo 1980, but has been living in London since the past 14 years. He graduated with a Master in Communication Art and Design Course at the Royal College of Art in 2005. He is currently working as a graphic designer in London, at the same time developing his photography practice. He was nominated in the 29th Hitotsubo Competition.

When did you realise your inclination towards photography and what was the first object you shot?
I started photographing when I first went back to Japan after moving to the U.K. I wasn’t really thinking about making works, but simply recording things I missed in Japan like landscape, where you don’t see anything special except the mundane streets of residential areas in Tokyo suburbs. I found that very special.

How did you teach yourself photography?
I studied fine art new media at Chelsea College of Art for BA. But I did not learn anything technical apart from dark room colour prints. I was simply taking lots of photos and taught myself that way.

There is a funny way in which you have portrayed all your photos. What motivates you to come up with such interesting works?
I like John Baldessari’s notation, when you get bored you are ready to make things interesting. I am not so interested in anything dramatic; I am more interested in how to make things interesting from boring subjects.

All your works have vibrant colours and are full of life. How do you always succeed to achieve or rather capture the same mood?
I use Photoshop to print my work, which gives more control to edit colour, light and contrast. For black and white prints, I think darkroom has enough freedom to control the tone of your work. But for coloured things, what you can do in dark room is not as free as B&W. Also, most of my set up works are taken in my house; hence I get more time to try things out before taking pictures.

I particularly enjoyed going through your pictures in ‘Sister Book’. The pictures portray a thoroughly happy mood. Would you like to share any funny incident which took place during the shoot?
The sister book was a very good fun project, which I did for graduation show at RCA. When I came up with the idea in the morning before going to the college, I woke my sister up and asked her to pose using objects in our flat. I used anything and everything from my daily life. Like the broken chair, it collapsed when I was sitting on it, that is how I came up with the idea for requiem for the chair. I enjoyed interacting with random things happening in everyday life.

“I am not so interested in anything dramatic; I am more interested in how to make things interesting from boring subjects.”

Could you tell us something about your latest exhibition as part of satellite program of Noordelicht Photo Festival at Groningen, Netherlands?
I have done a collaboration project with Tomoko Mukaiyama who is a contemporary music pianist based in Netherlands. While working in the theatre, we met a director of Noordelicht and that is how it happened. I have done an exhibition in the Grand Theater in same town during the photo festival. It was a fun exhibition, unlike the conventional gallery spaces. I had to think about how to make my works and the space communicate with each other.

People like to talk about their 'lucky breaks' but I think it's more hard work and passion that leads to a breakthrough to becoming a professional photographer. When was your breakthrough?
I still feel like working to make “break through”. But one of the steps that helped me to do what I do is a photo competition that happened in Tokyo. I was nominated and did a solo show in G/P gallery the following year. These 2 events supported my passion towards photography.

“I have lots of regrets as well but that is already part of me too.”

If you could turn back time, what is the one thing you would like to change in your life and why?
I can’t think of any… I have lots of regrets as well but that is already part of me too.

Looking back at your works, which of your pictures creates the strongest impression on you?
I don’t really display my early works but things I clicked as a teenager were interesting. They were normal snapshots, but just intriguing personal feelings and memories. They sometimes can give good inspirations.

There are a number of budding photographers who are still paving their way to success. Would you like to convey any message to them?

I am not making life as photographer yet, so can’t really tell. But keep doing what you are really passionate about. As you make more work, your career will start taking a turning point. It might not be 100% same as what you expected but will slowly start taking a form. And having fun will be a good thing too. 

	Quick8: Your Favourite Camera: Pentax 6x7II Your Favourite Printer: Epson R1600 (just one I use for book making) Your Favourite Shoot: As a mountain Your Preferred Location:   My flat room Favourite Photographer: Man Ray, MiroslavTichy, Wolfgang Tillmans, Most memorable story:  Witnessing the big earthquake when I was a little boy, in Mexico Current photographers you like: Stefan Burger, Stephane Gill Toughest day at work: Before the exhibition, installing works. It normally takes 2-3 full days for installation and plans keep changing as the installation is going on. I sometimes sleep in the gallery.  But it is fun.

More Photos by Toru Nagahama / Fotosocial

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