How does the road look to the Auto Photo Awards Top 100?
In a world filled with imitations, where people strive to stand out in extraordinary ways, don't search for those methods. Instead, embrace your individuality through your unique perspective of the world and share the beauty you perceive with others.
Hi, my name is Tenyo, the person behind Arcane Media. To me, photography is more than just clicking a button; it resonates deeper than a thousand words ever could. Many people may not fully understand art, photography, or composition, but that doesn’t stop them from pursuing it and making a living in the field. My journey was different. From an early age, I felt a strong connection to art, which ignited my passion. This connection inspired me not just to create but to appreciate all forms of art in the world around us.
Since my first year of school, I began crafting impressive pieces for my age—works in graphics, black and white, and graffiti styles. I experimented with various designs and techniques, allowing my soul and feelings to guide my creativity, without formal guidance. This passion persisted through life's ups and downs, including the loss of family members like my sister, which momentarily set me back. Some months I created prolifically, while others were slower.
As a child, I was fortunate to have an old Zenith camera at home. Its intriguing features captivated me, especially the magical opening and closing of the shutter. Despite inheriting this camera, I never took the time to learn how to use it, held back by the belief that I needed formal education first. When mobile phones with cameras emerged, like Nokia and Sony Ericsson, I found a second love in the magic of capturing moments through photography. Yet, life continued to distract me from this passion. I explored settings and techniques without any thoughts of pursuing photography as a career or even a serious hobby.
Eventually, when I moved to the UK, my mindset shifted dramatically thanks to new experiences and interactions that broadened my perspective. In 2022, after a long delay, I bought my first "professional" camera, and I instantly knew this was what I had always wanted—there was no turning back. That same year, I began collaborating with prominent names like Petrolheadonism and Tucked Show, significantly expanding my knowledge and network in photography, automotive, portrait, fashion, and editorial work. My studies in graphic design complemented this explosion of creativity, bringing me immense joy.
I also discovered a prestigious photography competition called the Auto Photo Awards, which selects the top 100 photographs from around the world. I applied and faced my first challenge: I realised my work wasn’t good enough. While this was disheartening, it also prompted reflection. As photographers, our work reflects our ideologies, values, and perceptions of the world. This realisation was not only a setback but a wake-up call, compelling me to reassess my direction and approach.
This period of growth transformed my style, prompting me to engage more deeply with retouching rather than simply applying presets. I learned that what we capture can be manipulated creatively in countless ways. For instance, I could create a studio shot without having the car physically in the studio, or compose stunning landscape images of a car in the Alps during summer without being there.
Recently, I've also begun exploring light painting, but not in the conventional sense of dancing around a subject with a light source. Instead, I focus on illuminating specific areas of the subject to stitch them together into a cohesive final composition.
In the second year of my photography journey, I discovered who some of my inspirations were. I watched one of them win the Best Photo Award for the same composition the following year. This had a significant impact on me and helped to further shift my mindset and approach to photography. This brings me to my third year, which has been the most challenging year for me, both personally and professionally.
At one point, I approached the organisers of the Auto Photo Awards to request a free entry due to my financial circumstances. My request was declined, but I was determined to find a way to invest even a small amount to enter the competition. The preparation and selection of my photos were quite difficult, but I managed to choose some of my best work.
Then, a few days later, I received devastating news. After my partner returned from a holiday with our daughter, she informed me that she wanted us to separate. My world felt like it was crumbling; I was heartbroken. However, as I always do, I knew I had to pick myself up, get organised, and focus on the many things that needed my attention. I continued to move forward, taking each step as it came.
A few months later, I received news that filled me with pride—one of my photographs was selected as one of the Top 100 in the Auto Photo Awards. I felt like I was on cloud nine; I jumped for joy, screamed, and cried happy tears. This recognition was a testament to how far my work had come. Knowing the calibre of the jury and the prestigious individuals involved made it even more meaningful. I realised that I could achieve great things, and that this was just the beginning.
It’s important to note that, regardless of the challenges I faced, I never sought recognition. I have always known there are many people in my life, unrelated to marketing or art, who appreciate creativity in their own ways. Some may not understand photography at all, from the unseen moments leading up to the final click of the shutter to the process of sharing a photo. In the face of gossip, humiliation, and mockery, what truly matters is that I can pick up my camera and immerse myself in the joy and calm that photography brings me.
Photography requires sacrifices and choices, but it is also an art that builds not just images but also personal growth. Your work reflects who you are—your beliefs, values, and experiences. If you find yourself doubting your abilities, always remember why you began. Is that initial spark still alive in you? Is it worth pursuing? More often than not, photography is about what goes unnoticed—the process of planting a seed, nurturing it over time, being patient, maintaining a positive mindset, and humbly awaiting your moment when your work can touch the right eyes that appreciate it as it deserves. So keep going and keep creating!
