by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 12th of July 2026

James Cai's portfolio is intentionally diverse. Rather than being defined by a single genre, it reflects the people, places, wildlife, architecture, landscapes and moments that have inspired him during his travels. Each image is a photograph that represents an experience and a story from somewhere in the world. Join me on a visual journey through James's amazing body of work.

‘Antarctic Fire Gate’

Dear James, firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. Could you please start by introducing yourself briefly and telling us about your hobbies and any other projects you are involved in?

Thank you for the invitation, Yvette. It is a great honour to be interviewed by such a renowned art platform as 1x.com. Over the years, I have found endless inspiration and encouragement within the 1X community and learnt a great deal from its diverse and talented pool of photographers.
I have lived and worked in the greater Chicago area for many years. While my professional career is outside the art world, I have been a lifelong admirer of the visual and performing arts. Photography has become a vital extension of this passion, offering me a way to engage with the world more deeply.
To me, light feels like a guiding destiny, and photography is its visual poetry, transforming fleeting moments into lasting expressions of emotion and meaning.

How and when did you start your journey in photography?

My journey in photography began over thirty years ago with a simple point-and-shoot camera. I used it to capture fragments of family life: travel days, children’s laughter and those ordinary moments that fly by. Initially, photography was never about art, only about preserving memory. Yet beneath that simple joy, a creative question slowly emerged: why did these images so often fail to capture the life and emotion I had experienced in those moments?

‘A Lightning on the Butte’

In 2016, I attended a photography forum hosted by an international group of celebrated artists. It was there that I stepped into a wider world of vision and intention. It was an awakening. I was introduced to the language of composition, the poetry of light, the rhythm of framing and the subtle craft of pre-visualisation and post-processing. I began to follow the light more deliberately, waiting for the right moment rather than chasing it, and listening to the quiet dialogue between the subject and its shadow. Post-processing became a form of interpretation and expression. Photography became less of a hobby and more of an integral part of my being — a continuous unfolding of attention and emotion.

‘Veil of the Waterfall’

Today, I see myself as a humble chaser of light. I am still learning and searching, and I am still moved by the silent poetry hidden in everyday life.

For many of us, photography is a hobby or a way of life. So, how would you describe your relationship with photography?

By immersing myself in the world of photography, I gradually developed a heightened sensitivity to light, shadow, shape and form, almost like a sixth sense. Over time, I began to see the world through the lens of photography, using it to observe living beings and the environment around me.

‘A Tree’

This shift brought with it an extraordinary ability: the capacity to sense a place's subtle vibrations and feel a moment's atmosphere before it fully unfolds. Photography became a means of capturing fleeting moments, transforming ordinary, passing instants into concentrated emotional expressions.

‘Splash of a Lightning’

On this journey, light feels like a guiding destiny: ever-shifting yet always leading the eye and spirit forward. In turn, the camera becomes my pen, a tool that can express what words often cannot and give shape to the silent conversations between perception and feeling.

‘A Sunset Rhapsody’

‘Roots of the Earth’

Which experience has had the greatest influence on your photographic journey so far?

In 2017, I went on my first photography tour, led by Jeffrey Wu. We spent two weeks in Kenya, particularly in the Maasai Mara Conservation Area. This was my first time encountering wild animals in their natural habitat, and it was a truly eye-opening experience. Unlike my previous travels, which had taken me to many parts of the world, this journey was deeply rooted in untamed nature, offering a raw, unfiltered connection with life in the wild.
I took countless photos during the trip, but more importantly, it changed the way I saw and approached photography. One of those photographs was the first image I had featured on 1x.com, and it became the most liked photo in my portfolio.

‘Breakthrough’

That experience was a turning point for me. It strengthened my technical skills, deepened my emotional connection to photography, and confirmed my passion for telling stories through the natural world.

‘Mom and Cubs’

You have a diverse body of work. I see wonderful landscapes, stunning aerial shots, and beautiful wildlife photography. What draws you to these different genres? 

Travel is a big part of who I am. I prefer to explore the world and experience different cultures, landscapes and ways of life rather than travelling with a specific photographic subject in mind. Although photography often accompanies our travels, it is not always the main reason for going somewhere.
This approach naturally leads to opportunities to photograph a wide variety of subjects, both within and beyond our comfort zones. Consequently, my portfolio is intentionally diverse. Rather than being defined by a single genre, it reflects the people, places, wildlife, architecture, landscapes and moments that have inspired me on my travels. Each image represents an experience and a story from somewhere in the world, as well as being a photograph.

‘A Playing Scene’

Which is more important to you: the mood or story behind your images, or technical perfection?

Although both are important in the creative process, I would prioritise story or mood over technical perfection. To me, photography is primarily about conveying emotion and/or meaning rather than achieving flawless technical execution.

‘My meal too!’

I often think of it in terms of music. The composer writes the musical score, which sets out the structure, story and emotional foundation of the piece. However, it is the conductor and musicians who breathe life into it, interpreting it with technical skill and personal expression.
Similarly, an image may rely on technique, but it is the underlying story that gives it soul. The story forms the invisible foundation that carries emotion and energy, while technical elements simply serve to support and express it. Without an emotional core, even the most technically perfect image can feel empty.

Do you carefully select the locations at which you intend to take photographs?

I value spontaneity and action when it comes to capturing the moment as it unfolds. Before a project, I usually scout the landscape using Google Maps, or research potential subjects online. This preparation helps me to understand the environment better while still allowing room for intuition and the unexpected in the field.

‘Chicago Shoreline and Frozen Lake’

‘Frozen Lake Michigan’

What is your relationship with your subject matter, aside from being an observer?

Photography is not just about observing the subject; it's also about sensing the relationship between the subject, its surroundings, and the frame. The photographer brings these elements together to express his personal view of the scene.
In photography, therefore, I see myself not only as an observer, but also as an emotional interpreter — someone who feels as well as sees, and who translates those feelings into a visual form.

'Night Owl Monkeys’

‘Curiosity’

Describe your vision for your photography.

A good photograph can capture the viewer’s attention, evoke a tangible emotion and convey a touching narrative. A meaningful image can also encourage people to think, imagine and reinterpret what they see. As an observer, I have come to see photography as a constantly evolving art form that is no longer limited to the faithful recording of reality, but is opening itself up to more experimental and expressive possibilities. Through mixed media and other as yet undefined possibilities, photography continues to expand the language of visual storytelling.

‘Flying Rose’

Where do you find inspiration, and what inspires you most?

I do not see art as an isolated form. Instead, I believe that different art forms are closely connected and can influence one another. As well as photography, I have joined a community choir and played musical instruments, which has helped me to develop a better understanding of rhythm, emotion and expression.
I have also helped to set up a small theatre for a drama group and often attended theatre performances, which provided valuable experience in stage lighting, storytelling and performance space. I also often visit classical and contemporary museums to find inspiration and observe different forms of artistic expression.

‘The Dance’

Through these experiences, I have come to see art as a shared language. Music, performance and visual art all express human emotion differently and continually enrich each other.

Many people believe that the right gear is unimportant if you're passionate about photography. Could you tell us what equipment you use? For example, what camera and lenses do you use, and what lighting and tripod?

I use the Sony A1 and Sony A7R IV for wildlife and landscape photography. For video projects, I work with the Sony A7SIII series. In addition, I have built a range of Sony lenses that support different creative needs, from wide-angle landscapes to telephoto wildlife work. For aerial perspectives, I use the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, which adds another dimension to my visual storytelling and allows me to explore scenes from a unique and elevated viewpoint. I have a full studio setup with an array of photo lighting equipment.

‘Sunshine glazed Cerro Torre’

Which is your favourite photo, and what is the story behind it?

My wife and I recently travelled to Australia and New Zealand, visiting many locations that are well known in the world of photography. Because of this, I did not expect to take any truly exceptional photos.
One evening, however, I found myself at the Church of the Good Shepherd, photographing a night scene. This place has been photographed countless times and widely shared across the internet. It had rained all day, and by sunset the sky was still covered in clouds and there was a strong wind, so conditions were far from ideal. However, at around 7.30pm, the wind began to clear the clouds, revealing a vast, open sky above us. The Milky Way emerged in all its glory. There was also unusually strong geomagnetic activity at that time, and aurora lights began to appear. Amazingly, the Milky Way and the aurora were visible in the same shot, arcing above the quiet silhouette of the old church.

‘Southern Rhapsody’

The rare convergence of two natural elements transformed a familiar scene into something extraordinary and deeply personal. It reminded me that, as in travel, the most memorable moments in photography often arrive unexpectedly, as if nature itself were offering a brief, generous reward for patience and presence.

Which photographers or mentors have influenced you the most?

I was fortunate to meet my mentor, John Fan, who has lived close to me for the past decade. He has had a deep influence on me in all aspects of photography, from observing a scene to understanding the essence of a good image.
I also participated in several photography tours with Yiming Hu  and Marc Adamus, which provided me with valuable insights into landscape photography and helped me to further refine my technical and creative approach.
On a personal level, I greatly admire Sebastião Salgado and his work.

‘Morning in Torres del Paine’