Zahyr Caan, a photographer based in Nottingham, has won an award for a striking street photograph taken on his iPhone during a trip to Tokyo. The image, captured in the Ginza district, features a bold interplay of shadow and light, with a yellow taxi and a red pedestrian signal completing the composition.
Caan was on his way to see the Gundam statue after breakfast when he noticed the graphic scene. 'The sun was very bright, meaning excellent conditions for my style of street photography,' he said. He waited for the right moment, and 'the red man appeared at just the right moment and became a bonus.'
Using an iPhone 13 Pro Max, Caan made minimal edits, only lightening and darkening adjustments. He described the process as a mixture of 'art and skill', noting that smartphone technology makes it easier to be discreet and capture candid moments.
Born in Pakistan, Caan now lives in Nottingham and often shoots in urban environments. He hopes viewers will notice the colours and the relationship between the taxi and the red signal. The photograph won acclaim from judges for its graphic composition and timely human element.
