MPB Meets: Tokyo-based Photographer Lisa Knight

Originally from Australia, Tokyo-based photographer Lisa Knight shares her journey of becoming a visual storyteller and how Japan influenced her work. Keep reading to learn more about Lisa’s work and discover her stunning photography.

MPB: When did you start shooting and how did this love for photography and Japan happen?

LK:  I started shooting very casually in 2017 when I was still living in Melbourne, Australia. I actually had a Nikon D3200, which I’d bought about five years prior. But I didn’t know how to use it and I hadn’t given much thought to photography as a hobby, so it sat inside a cupboard collecting dust. During winter, Melbourne has the most colorful sunrises, so every now and then I would take it out to try and shoot the sunrise—with very little success! At around the same time, I was becoming incredibly burnt out from my corporate job in Australia. So my husband and I very suddenly quit our jobs and moved to Japan on a whim. We had visited Japan a few times before on holidays, and we moved here because we could easily get working holiday visas. When I first got to Tokyo, I wanted to explore but I was so overwhelmed by this new environment. To get over the anxiety of being in a new place, I took my camera with me to give me something to do. Over time, I began to form an obsession with photography, and now I can truly say it is my ikigai—my reason for being. 

MPB: What equipment is in your kit bag and what is your favorite image you created with it? 

LK: At the moment I shoot on a Nikon Z6 and have a Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S, Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED VR. I use the Nikon F–Z to connect the F-mount lenses to the Z-mount body. My favorite image was actually taken on the cheapest of all of the lenses, the Nikkor 24-85mm, which I picked up second-hand. This was taken at Eikando Temple in Kyoto in November 2020.

MPB: Your pictures reflect the whole spectrum of street photography, from portraits, and architectural pictures to more landscapes without taking too much care about conventionalism. How do you keep consistency in your images? 

LK: I never started photography to become a ‘photographer’, and I’ve never taken any photography classes. When I began to shoot I realized two things: that photography was a way for me to express myself and my way of seeing the world, and also that it had these intensely meditative qualities. When I am behind the camera I am practicing the ultimate form of mindfulness—I am in this time and place, and it’s only this moment I am aware of. By doing this so often, I naturally discovered the things that I subconsciously search for and find joy in— colors, light, feelings, stories—and figured out the technical ways that I could reflect my way of seeing the world into a tangible image. I think,  then, that despite the diversity, my images remain consistent because each photo is a reflection of how I perceive the world.

MPB: How has social media played a role in your photography? 

LK: Social media has played a surprisingly large role in my photography for a variety of reasons. When Covid began, social media became my way of connecting with others and feeling less lonely during this uncertain time. Through Instagram, I’ve met the most incredibly supportive and inspiring community of photographers and creatives. In late 2020, my Instagram began to really grow, I think as the world became more locked down and people visited my account to experience Japan. It was at this time that I connected with people from around the world who had followed my journey as a photographer and wanted to support my art in various ways. Finally, Instagram became a useful way for me to share my capabilities and portfolio with prospective clients and businesses as I worked towards my dream of becoming a full-time photographer.

MPB: When you are out shooting, how much of it is instinctual versus planned? 

LK: I am absolutely an instinct-driven photographer, so I would say 99% of when I shoot for leisure is totally spontaneous. The only thing that I really plan is where I want to go, and I usually arrange that based on what I feel like shooting and also, largely, what the weather is like. Then I just pack my bag, go for a walk and see what unfolds in front of me. For client work, of course, it’s crucial to prepare ahead, but I’ve been fortunate to work with clients who have allowed me to create freely based on my style.

MPB: If you look at your learning curve, having moved on from a certain style, where do you stand now with your photography? 

LK: This is a really difficult question because I feel like I always had the same vision, but I became better at telling stories and knowing, on a technical level, how to tell those stories. I think that my photos use a lot of colors and have a sense of softness about them, and I think that has remained largely unchanged. But I now have a much better understanding of light, how lens choice can impact an image, how lens filters can give me more possibilities, how different compositions tell different stories, and how editing can turn a good photo into a great photo. It has been an enormous learning curve, and I’m still learning every single day.

MPB: What is one question nobody has ever asked you that you wish they asked you?

LK: My favorite book in the world: Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan.

Thanks, Lisa. You can see more of Lisa Knight’s work on Instagram @lisainjapan

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