UEDA Shoji

UEDA Shoji 植田 正治 (1913.3.27-2000.7.4) Sakai-minato, Tottori Pref. One of the revered elders in Japan's photographic pantheon. His photos taken on the Tottori Sand Dunes are his most famous and most widely published.

Major themes Tottori sand dunes, portraits

Education Yonago Public High School, Tottori Pref., 1924-30. Oriental School of Photography, Tokyo.

Career Photo bug since junior high school. Moved to Tokyo in 1932 and worked at a dept. store photo studio. Then studied under KIKUCHI Toyo at the Oriental School of Photography, Tokyo.

After graduating, returned to Sakai-minato and opened a photo studio in 1933. Photos came to be published often in photo magazines. Established Japan Sea Club in 1933.

Founding member of Chugoku Photographers' Club, Okayama in 1937 through which his photos came to be exhibited in Tokyo. Joined Ginryusha Photographers' Club, Tokyo, 1948; and Nika-kai Photographers Club, Tokyo, 1955. Professor of Photography, Kyushyu Sangyo University, Fukuoka Prefecture from 1975.

One of the revered elders in Japan's photographic pantheon. His photos taken on the Tottori Sand Dunes are his most famous and most widely published. No Ueda Shoji photo exhibit would be complete without at least a picture or two of his Sand Dunes.

His style emphasizes spatial composition, with unique perspectives. You can always see the near and far. The [Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography] is in a scenic area of his hometown of Tottori Prefecture.

Awards Photography Prize, Nika Exhibition, Tokyo, 1955; Photographic Society of Japan Award, Tokyo, 1975; Cultural Merit Award, Tokyo, 1978; Award of Merit, Photographic Society of Japan, Tokyo, 1989.

Book reviews Shoji Ueda Photographs I

Sample photos: http://www.japro.com/ueda/set/02.html