Automotive Photography

with Irwin Wong

Steve Brazill27 minutes ago

I have been so lucky over the years the have had wonderful, talented photographers on this show. Often, it’s a photographer I saw online and reached out to, asking if they’d like to be on the show, but most of the time my guests were referrals from people I trust. Sometimes it’s a suggestion from a close friend, or a brand that reaches out, while other times it’s a friend of a past guest. One source for guests has came as a surprise.

A few years ago I heard from the folks at Wonderful Machine, which is an agency that represents photographers. That first cold email from them sent me into research mode. I wanted to know who they were, and if I’m being honest, if it was a scam. Once I realized that they represent some high end photographers I was in, and in the past few years they have introduced me to some global talent I would have never discovered on my own.

Such is case with Australian photographer Irwin Wong.

Originally from Melbourne, Irwin is has been based in Tokyo for over two decades, and his editorial and commercial work explores the people, places, and craftsmanship that define contemporary Japan, and trust me… it does that in a way that is uniquely Irwin’s.

His subject matter is so unique, and his photographic eye seems to create images that make you feel like you are there, while also creating questions about what, or who, you’re seeing. For this show we bounced back and forth considering a shot from his Subculture series, his Auto series, or any of the other creative categories on his site. If I am being honest, I wanted to pick a Subculture shot he sent me, because…. it was world I never knew existed, but in the end it was the technical aspects of his Auto work that I felt I had the most question about.

Irwin specializes in portraiture, travel, industrial, and automotive photography, and his skill at combining documentary style with a commercial feel is wonderful. His assignments have had him working for publications including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, The Sunday Times, Travel + Leisure, and Car Design News.

His commercial clients include Apple, Amazon, Christian Dior, Ferrari, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, OMEGA, SK-II, and Boss Coffee, to name a few. He also works closely with tourism organizations and destination marketing agencies to create campaigns that showcase Japan’s regional culture, craftsmanship, and landscapes to international audiences.

It really is wonderful to be exposed to artist like Irwin, that I may not have found organically, and I do hope to someday check out his books. Irwin is the author and photographer of Handmade in Japan (2019) and The Obsessed: Otaku, Tribes and Subcultures of Japan (2022), both published by Gestalten. His latest book, “Another Japan – Life and Culture Beyond the Metropolis”, continues his exploration of Japan beyond its major cities, documenting the traditions, creativity, and resilience of communities across the country.

Join Tokyo based portrait, editorial, and commercial photographer Irwin Wong and me as we discuss the complexities of car photography, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Chapter Timestamps

00:00:00 – Jump To Chapters
00:03:25 – Interview with Irwin Wong
00:14:24 – Ranking the Importance of Photo Attributes
00:20:32 – Intro Before Discussing Photos
00:24:33 – Photo 1: Mitsubishi Concept SUV
00:54:47 – Photo 2: Car in Lobby
00:59:18 – Photo 3: Float Painter
01:01:47 – Photo 4: Band Portrait
01:02:16 – Photo 5: Group Portrait
01:02:34 – Photo 6: River Rafting
01:03:36 – Speed Round Q & A
01:05:34 – Irwin’s Photographer Pick – Dan Winters
01:06:04 – Outro