Iwago Mitsuaki ―An Animal Photographer

Student :

First of all,/why do you like cats?

Iwago :

Because they are free. Cats live with people/as pets,/but they are not on a leash. Cats are beautiful/and perfect.

S :

Your photos of cats/are always interesting. How can you/take such wonderful photos?

I :

I observe the lifestyle of cats/very carefully/before I take photos. For example,/in a town with many cats,/I watch them/every day. On cold mornings,/they always come together/in the same place. The place may be warm/from the sunlight. So/I go there/in advance/and wait for them. They naturally sit around me.

S :

You lived in Africa/for over a year. Please tell me/about your experience.

I :

It was amazing. There were many animals/in the Serengeti/in Tanzania. At first,/I had a typical image/of Africa:/lions were hunting zebras,/or cheetahs were chasing gazelles. But my view changed/after some time there.

S :

Why did your view change?

I :

Actually,/many of the animals there/were not moving much. They were just relaxing. Giraffes were eating leaves/of a tall tree. I was impressed/by the scene. It was so beautiful/and peaceful. I realized/that I had to take photos/of animals and nature/as they were.

S :

As you take photos,/what do you learn from cats?

I :

Cats give us some hints/about our lives. For example,/they always choose comfortable places. When it is cold,/they go to warm places. When it is hot,/they escape to the shade/of a tree. They live in harmony with nature. With that hint,/humans can live a simple life,/too.

S :

What messages do you send/through your photos?

I :

I hope/that my photos remind people/of the harmony/between nature and animals. Humans are also part of nature. This should be kept/in mind. Then,/we can live together/with nature and animals.