Tokyo Cityscape: Jing-Yuan Chen Finds Geometry in the Evening Light
At the World Grand Prix Photography Awards 2026 Autumn Season, Jing-Yuan Chen received the Gold Award in Architectural & Urban Photography for Tokyo Cityscape. The winning work offers a distinct perspective on its subject, bringing the photographer’s individual approach to the foreground.
At dusk, sharp, geometric skyscrapers define the Tokyo skyline.
In the Photographer’s Own Words
I still remember the day I took this photograph—I had been wandering around central Tokyo all day, eager to capture its distinctive streetscapes and the dramatic skyline of glass-curtain skyscrapers. This moment was captured in the late afternoon along a wide avenue, with the road stretching into the distance toward these towering structures. I noticed how the buildings were backlit, yet the soft light on their edges and the brightness of the sky beautifully traced their silhouettes. That striking contrast naturally led me to compose and capture the scene in black and white.
I have never received formal training in photography. Over more than a decade of carrying a camera, my journey has evolved from simply photographing everything I saw to discovering what truly resonates with me and gradually shaping my own visual style. While many believe photography requires mastering composition, color grading, or technical aesthetics first, I believe the most important aspect is simply going out to explore new places. Experiencing different landscapes firsthand brings fresh inspiration and genuine emotion.
Editor’s Note
In Tokyo Cityscape, the architecture is not simply a backdrop: the backlit edges and long perspective of the avenue give the city its visual rhythm. The choice of monochrome allows the skyline's geometry to become the photograph's central language. Chen's account also offers a reminder that a recognisable photographic voice can emerge through repeated looking and exploration rather than formal instruction alone.
Follow the Photographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuan_folk/
About the World Grand Prix Photography Awards
The World Grand Prix Photography Awards (WGPPA) is an international photography competition recognising creative achievement across photographic disciplines. Its winning works and selected editorial interviews, published through WODACC, offer photographers opportunities to present both their images and the ideas behind them to a wider audience. For emerging and established photographers considering international awards, these published winner stories provide concrete examples of how creative work can be showcased beyond the award announcement.
Explore the World Grand Prix Photography Awards: https://www.wgppa.com/
