Kyoko Uno (@unokyon) captures the light and air she encounters while walking through the mountains with a calm and honest gaze.
Her images—photographed using her trusted OPF 650-L filter—are filled with clarity and gentle light, offering a sense of serenity that makes you want to take a deep breath through the screen.
Now living in China, her feed offers not only scenes from Japan but also expansive, majestic landscapes unique to Chinese mountains.
Her photos convey the breeze of each place and even the warmth of laughter shared with friends.
It’s a natural fusion of mountain life and photography—an expression that is uniquely hers.

There are moments in the mountains when I find myself thinking, "I can't believe a place like this exists." These breathtaking scenes—untouched by man and only reachable on foot—are so beautiful that I can't help but press the shutter again and again.

Taking photos enhances the emotional impact of being in the mountains. As I walk, I'm constantly thinking—often subconsciously—about how I want to capture what I see. That mindset makes me notice the clouds, the light, the plants, and the flowers that I might otherwise overlook.

I always think about how to bring light into the frame. For instance, in summer, the morning sun can be very harsh, so instead of shooting the sunrise head-on, I prefer to capture the light as it hits the mountains from an angle. TOKYO GRAPHER’s filter softens that intense light and adds a gentle atmosphere. I especially love evening light—during that time, I find myself seeking out backlit angles that make the whole world shimmer. The filter helps me hold on to that impression beautifully.

When I go into the mountains, I use the full-frame SONY α7C—it’s lightweight and easy to carry.

I switch between 55mm and 40mm lenses. When I want to capture people and mountains together, the 55mm gives a slightly compressed perspective that makes people look more natural. Even in the mountains, the peaks can feel far away, and wide-angle lenses sometimes fail to capture that grandeur. In those moments, the 55mm lets me come closer to what I actually feel.

Now that I live in China, I have more chances to hike there too. The mountains are incredibly vast, and sometimes the ridgelines feel like they're right in front of you. In those places, I often go with a 40mm lens. Choosing lenses based on the sense of distance and air density adds depth to my photos—I think that little decision makes a big difference.

I was truly moved by how TOKYO GRAPHER filters helped me preserve the atmosphere I felt in the mountains. They make me think, “Yes, this is the kind of air and light I wanted to capture.” I used to shoot film for its soft tones and feel, and this filter brings back that same mood, which I really appreciate.

I used to struggle with capturing the beauty of dappled light in forests—it just didn’t translate well into photos. But since I started using this filter, I can finally express that shimmering light as I saw it. It also adds a subtle atmosphere to misty scenes. In snowy mountains, it neutralizes the blue cast from the sky and softens overly bright tones, which is especially helpful with the OPF 650-L.

For me, it’s not just about reaching the summit. I love simply being in the mountains and capturing the emotions of each moment through my camera. I also enjoy the time spent editing photos afterward—it’s like reliving the adventure. Sharing those photos with friends brings back the joy we felt together, and that’s another reason I’m grateful to bring a camera along on every hike.