Sony Alpha cameras and lenses deliver awe-inspiring imagery, preserving the invaluable moments that we experience on our journeys. In this Alpha Traveller series, follow our globetrotters as they set off to explore and discover the wonders of the world.

Resolution and speed. Overwhelming image quality. Superior AF. These are all features of a full-frame camera that reimagines what photographers need. Boldly redefining standards for a new generation of creators, the Sony Alpha 1 does all this, which is what drew Choi Woo Keun (@spookylens) to it. For Choi, photography is more than just a career choice; it is a passion. Choi spends his time shooting breathtaking nature and city landscapes. Naturally, this has led him to broaden his horizons and trawl the globe to portray it as he sees it. Fasten your seat belts as we journey with one of South Korea's up-and-coming photographers to the sprawling city of Osaka, Japan.

"Even though I have never visited Osaka before, the city holds a special place in my heart, not only as a renowned global metropolis but also because of the anime I watched growing up. When I embarked on this project, I set out to get a deep sense of the nuances of the city and its frame of mind - so I looked to the role of lights and lighting to convey the city's je ne sais quoi," he said. 

For Choi, the journey to Osaka was relatively short and straightforward. "Various airlines offer a wide range of flight options from Incheon and Gimpo airports. In my case, I chose to fly from Seoul, which took about two hours. From there, I took a ride on the award-winning 'Rapi:t' train, known for its convenience and speed, to the city's downtown area. It was quite a unique experience, and the retro-futuristic design of the train was certainly something that I found aesthetically pleasing."

Once in Osaka, it was simply a matter of taking the time to explore the city and finding places that were outside the typical traveller's itinerary. "Whenever I arrive at a new city, my first instinct is to always make my way through it, either on foot or with public transit. This helps me acquaint myself with the ebbs and flows of the place. Osaka was no different, and walking as well as using the subway allowed me to discover photo-worthy gems and shooting spots scattered throughout. In particular, the Sakishima Building Observatory and Tempozan Ferris Wheel acted as interesting compositional elements that added a scenic quality to my photos. I was also able to find beautiful and unexpected lighting conditions that gave my photos a certain depth and emotiveness that really resonated with my own feelings while I was there in that moment."

One photo that was personally most memorable for Choi was a sunset view of the city taken from the deck of the Sakishima Building Observatory. "Initially, I was hoping to capture the entire city at night, but I was disappointed that I couldn't get the angles for photos that were any more unique than those in travel brochures or taken by the average tourist. I wanted something a little more distinctive. Just as I was about to throw in the towel, I noticed that the combination of the deep glow from the setting sun and the structural elements created captivating patterns and shadows. This was quite a stunning sight in real life, and I think I've been able to convey that in this photo."

Choi used the Alpha 1 as his main camera as it allowed him to deliver the best video and photo results. "The camera's burst performance and precise AF feature were invaluable in helping me capture spontaneous moments as they happened. The 50-megapixel sensor combined with the electronic shutter and high-speed sync allowed me to take high-resolution landscapes with no detail left unfocused. Sometimes, I would record videos in 4K, 120p or 8K resolutions, which the Alpha 1 handles flawlessly," he explained.

The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II lenses were his go-to choices for travel photography. "Wide-angle lenses can cause deterioration of quality in the peripheral areas and image distortion. Thankfully, the FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens addresses these issues and was also able to withstand harsh shooting conditions. The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II model, on the other hand, is much lighter than its predecessor and can maintain image quality across the entire zoom range."

For Choi, photography is about sharing precious moments that elicit strong emotions. He often speaks of wanting people who interact with his work to feel transported to wherever he was in a given photo. Simply put, he wants them to feel like they are a part of the journey with him. "My last solo exhibition was in 2018, and since then, I've been unable to host any new ones for various reasons, including the pandemic. However, I am currently planning a new public exhibition, in which I will showcase the true charm of travel photographs, which I hope everyone can join," said Choi.

For those looking to capture great travel moments on camera, Choi's advice is to distinguish their style from that of their peers. "Being intentional is hugely important, and so is engaging with the works of others - be it through exhibitions or other mediums - to get your own creative juices flowing. For me, this is fundamental to how I use light as a means of expressing myself and my subjects through photography.

His second piece of advice is that photographers conduct thorough research about their chosen destinations, as truly embedding oneself in a new place is essential to capturing the feel of each city. "For me, Google Maps is the perfect tool for checking the direction of natural light and lighting conditions at different times. It gives me detailed information about local spots through its Street View feature, which helps me account for the elements when planning my shoots."