Herbie Yamaguchi

Excellent prints are quite different from what you see on a computer monitor, and it has the fineness you want to embrace gently in your hands. As a photographer, I always spend a lot of time on such print creation.
Although I still cherish the traditional darkroom printing, I have been facing the reality that the kind of silver halide photographic paper is decreasing. And the evolution of inkjet paper is remarkable. I look forward to the fact that choices such as size and texture of inkjet papers are increasing year by year.
Encountering paper that matches own works is important, so I anticipate that new possibilities that will be brought about by the development and evolution of inkjet paper.

Herbie Yamaguchi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1950. When he was in his second year of Junior high school, he joined the photography club.

In 1973, after he graduated university, he went to London and spent 10 years there. He joined to the musical company and performed as an actor for a while. He encountered the movement of punk rock and the subculture, experiencing what many call the most exciting time period of London. In such a London life, he took portraits of musicians and lively scenes of London, those photos were highly appreciated.

After returning to Tokyo, he continued to take photos of everyday people, while also take many musicians and artists in Japan. He has created many works of snapshot and portrait with monochrome photo. Many fans admire his gentle and natural style. Theme of his works, “I’d like to take photos of humanity’s hope” and ” I’d like to take photos that people love others”, have never changed from junior high school to the present.

In 2014, he was chosen as one of 140 photographers in the world who supported Leica’s history at the photo exhibition “Eyes Wide Open! 100 Years of Leica Photography” commemorating the 100th anniversary of Leica.

Besides creative photo activity, he also has been working as an essayist, radio, TV personality, and lyricist.

Members of Japan Professional Photographer’s Society

Visiting Professor, Osaka University of Arts
Visiting Professor, Kyushu Sangyo University