Yoshimi Sugiyama's Award-Winning "Animism 1 Sacred Trees"

A Unique Blend of Photography and Painting Illuminates Nature's Spirituality

Yoshimi Sugiyama's inspiration for the "Animism 1 Sacred Trees" series stemmed from his exploration of his Japanese heritage. He was particularly moved by the ancient Japanese belief that natural creations such as trees, rocks, and water bodies are the resting places of Gods. The reverence for nature and the extraordinary living things that have survived various natural disasters resonated with Sugiyama, leading him to create this unique series.

The "Animism 1 Sacred Trees" series is distinct in its approach to photography. Sugiyama employs a technique known as Light Painting Photography, where he paints with flashlights during exposure for about 5 to 20 minutes. This method, combined with long hours of exposure and exploration in the dark, results in a series that is as challenging to create as it is mesmerizing to behold.

Each photograph in the series is a 24-inch by 30-inch representation of the spiritual essence of nature. Sugiyama's technique of painting with light creates an illusion of warmth and brightness that is both unique and captivating. The images, which do not exist in nature, grab the audience's attention and encourage interaction, allowing viewers to create their own stories and interpretations of the natural wonders depicted.

The project, which began in May 2003 in California and concluded in July 2016, required meticulous research and experimentation. Sugiyama had to balance various elements such as ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and the intensity of the flashlight beam, all of which were affected by external factors like sunlight, moonlight, and street lamps. The color of the objects also affected the outcome, as they absorbed and reflected light differently.

Despite the technical challenges, Sugiyama was able to achieve the desired vivid colors through his persistent efforts and repetitive experiments. His ability to control the length of shutter speed, aperture, and artificial light resulted in a series that is a pleasant surprise for the audience and a testament to his skill and creativity.

Yoshimi Sugiyama's "Animism 1 Sacred Trees" series was awarded the Golden A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. Sugiyama's work is a shining example of the power of photography to capture the inspirational moment and play an important role in artistic culture.