Lonely Nights In Japan

• Prize
  Bronze in Editorial/Photo Essay
• Photographer
  Maximilian Kafanke
• Photo Date
  February 2020

The series "Lonely Nights in Japan" explores the themes of individuality, loneliness and anonymity amongst the people in the metropolises of Japan. Created during a solo trip in 2020, a bizarre year that has raised many questions about loneliness and social issues due to the onset of a global pandemic. It invites the viewer to immerse himself in the vein of the city, showing the ubiquitous distraction by technology, how absent-minded shadows are wandering the streets, no longer paying attention and giving chance to random conversation, as everyone is only pursuing their own destinations.

Maximalfocus is the creative alias of German portrait and night photographer Maximilian Kafanke. With a great fascination for technology and light, he began to work with neon lights and experimental techniques while he lived in Australia. Since that time, night photography has been his creative outlet to show his view on modern architecture, urban landscapes and nightlife. Through his futuristic and dark, yet vibrant style he challenges traditional approaches in photography and often captures perspectives and details easily overlooked, by shining a different light on extraordinary subjects.