by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 13th of Octobre 2025

For Irene Wu, the camera is like a second pair of eyes: a tool for discovering and experiencing the world through light and fleeting moments. Her creative process begins with inspiration. She then captures scenes with patience and intuition, before post-processing her images to refine the tone and mood. She says: "This process is not just about creation; it is also a dialogue with myself".
Join me on a journey through this talented photographer's work in this interview.

‘Frozen Glow’

‘Sunset by the Beach’

Dear Irene, first I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!
My name is Irene Wu and I am originally from China, but I now live in Melbourne, Australia. I hold the AFIAP distinction and am an active member of the PSA, FIAP, APS and APA. My work has been honoured with multiple international gold medals and other awards. Outside of photography, I love travelling, reading, music and film, which constantly spark new ideas and inspiration. I also enjoy staying active by working out at the gym or playing racket sports for the joy and energy they bring.

When and how did you begin your journey in photography?
I started casually photographing landscapes and people during my travels in 2013. Then, in 2020, during the pandemic, I discovered 1X and was deeply impressed by its high standards and rigorous curation. This inspired me to study photography more systematically, and what started as a hobby has gradually evolved into a meaningful way for me to get to know myself better and expand my understanding of the world.

‘Peak Above Clouds’

‘Bosphorus Bridge at Night’

'Willow Arc’

‘The Way Home’

‘Misty Twisted Road’

For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?
For me, photography is a lifelong passion. Not only does it allow me to capture beauty during my travels, it also enables me to find surprises and joy in everyday life. As I continue to learn and create, photography has become an indispensable part of who I am. It keeps me curious and inspires me to notice and preserve the fleeting moments of light and emotion that make life so special.

‘Chasing the Sunset’

‘Urban Flow’

‘Skateboarding Teens’

‘Grace in Motion’

Which experience has influenced your journey in photography the most so far?
One of my most unforgettable experiences was taking photographs in north-east China in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. The ground was covered in ice flowers, and the morning light filtered through frosty branches, creating a stunning glow across the frozen landscape. In that moment, I forgot all about the biting cold and became fully immersed in the beauty before me. This made me truly understand the pure passion and devotion that photography can inspire.

You have your own unique style. What draws you to landscape and street photography?
I’m fascinated by both landscape and street photography because they show me the world from completely different perspectives.
Landscape photography immerses me in the vastness and serenity of nature, and its ever-changing light teaches me patience and evokes a sense of awe.
Street photography, on the other hand, is full of rhythm and unpredictability. It demands instinct, quick reactions and an awareness of fleeting expressions.
Despite their differences, the two genres complement each other beautifully: landscapes refine my perception of light, while street photography keeps my intuition sharp. Together, they shape my personal style.

‘The Hearth of Life’

‘Flavors of Life’

Which is more important to you: the mood or story behind your images, or technical perfection?
For me, emotion and storytelling lie at the heart of photography. While technique is important, it is merely a tool. Without emotional resonance, even a technically perfect image can feel empty. When photographing people, I always aim to connect with them and show them respect, even if it's only for a brief moment, because it's genuine human connection that gives a photograph its authenticity.

Do you carefully plan the locations where you intend to take photographs?
Although I do some research before shooting, I also leave room for spontaneity, particularly in street photography where the most powerful moments often occur unexpectedly.

‘The Little Knight’

‘Woman and The Old Tree’

Describe your vision for your photography.
To me, the camera is like a second pair of eyes — a tool for discovering and experiencing the world through light and fleeting moments. I want to use photography to reveal the authentic connections between people and their surroundings.

In my Rodeo series, I aim to capture the strength of form and the human spirit: the soaring riders, the flying dust and the energy and rhythm of movement. I believe that a good photograph should evoke an emotional response in viewers while also being visually striking.

In your opinion, what are the main features of a successful landscape/street photographer?
Curiosity, patience, sharp judgement and respect.
To be a successful photographer, you must be curious enough to explore, patient enough to wait, quick enough to react to the decisive moment, and respectful enough towards your subjects. It is also important to have the discipline to carefully edit your work and only present pieces that truly speak to you.

Could you tell us more about your workflow, from initial idea to final product?
My creative process begins with inspiration, whether from travel, everyday moments or art. I then capture scenes using a combination of patience and intuition. The final stage involves carefully selecting and post-processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop to refine the tone and mood.
For me, this process is not just about creation; it's also a dialogue with myself.

Where do you look for inspiration, and what inspires you most?
Inspiration can be found everywhere: in the interplay of light, human stories, travel encounters, or even a painting or line of poetry. Curiosity is what drives me. This enables me to find freshness in small, ordinary details. I also draw inspiration from painting, cinema and music, which help me to go beyond the visual and infuse my work with narrative and emotion.

‘Perfect Tie-Down Roping’

‘Falling Over’

‘Fearless Cowgirl’

Many people believe that gear is not very important when you are passionate about photography. However, could you please tell us what equipment you use, such as your camera, lenses, lighting and tripod?
My main cameras are the Canon R3 and 5D Mark IV, which I use with 16–35mm, 24–70mm and 70–200mm lenses to cover everything from sweeping landscapes to dynamic rodeo scenes. Recently, I added the Fujifilm GFX100R with a 35 mm lens to my collection, hoping to explore new creative possibilities through its high resolution and delicate tonal range.

Which photo is your favourite? Please tell us the story behind your choice.
Although I often say that my favourite photo is always the next one, The End Justifies the Means holds a special place in my heart.
It won gold medals from both the PSA and the FIAP and was taken at the 2022 Australian rodeo. As the black horse reared up and the rider lost their balance, dust filled the air. I crouched low to take the shot and ended up covered in dirt, but it was worth it to capture the raw power and tension of the moment.
To me, the photo embodies the essence of rodeo — the constant battle between strength and skill.

‘The End Justifies The Means’

Which photographers or mentors have influenced you and your photography, and who are your favourites?
Henri Cartier-Bresson's mastery of the decisive moment was an inspiration to me.
Dorothea Lange demonstrated to me the depth of photography as a social document.
Steve McCurry moved me with the emotional intensity of his portraits.
Together, their work has shaped my understanding of photography as a universal language of emotion and storytelling, not just a visual art.

Now that we're almost at the end of the interview, could you please tell us about any photographic projects you'd like to be involved in?
In the future, I plan to focus more on street and abstract photography. The unpredictability of the street keeps me alert and energised, while abstract photography allows me to explore new forms of expression through light and shape. It is this sense of challenge and uncertainty that motivates and inspires me to dedicate myself fully to my craft.

‘Lavender Twilight’

‘Sunset and Windmill’

Is there anything else you would like to add, and what are your thoughts on using 1X as a base for your work?
To me, 1X is a true artistic home, with both standards and depth. Since joining, my sense of aesthetics has improved tremendously. The curation system and community continually challenge me to refine my work and engage in more meaningful conversations with others.
I am looking forward to participating in future 1X exhibitions and connecting with more photographers in person.