I went to visit a library. I borrowed the photo books, Anti-Memory, Contemporary Photography II, Nakahira Takuma’s Degree Zero Yokohama, and Motohashi Seiichi’s Nadya’s Village.
The box in my hands
This year I made a special new year’s resolution. I made a promise not to buy a single camera this year. This promise has been a best promise I have ever made. (And I have been able to keep it so far)
I get the sense that photographer is now more than ever, slave of a camera. World is flooded with the digital apparatus that are designed to create desire and make picture taking as simple and easy as possible. There are tons of new advanced features that make getting a technically pristine picture easier.
I remember the original Olympus Pen (film camera) advertisement, “Taking great photographs has never been this easy!”. Now in the era of smartphones the advertisement seems almost silly or ironic.
It is almost as if camera has became a fashion accessory for photographers. Then, I can’t help but feel sad about this situation. Because much potential for interesting conversation (and photo taking!) is being lost.
There is great saying, “Big minds talk ideas, small minds talk people”.
I say; big photographers talk photos, small photographers talk cameras.
Now as I have focused less and less in the photocopying apparatus and more in the photos, I notice my mind is lighter; I just use what I have. And I have more time to think about the mood of the photo, and setting.
In Finnish language, tool is referred as to having “jotain kättä pidempää” (something longer than your hand). This refers to having extended leverage at your disposal. Yes. I have a lever or button in my hands, sort of. And I’m there, you know, with you.
Of course some kind of camera is necessary to take a photo. However, as Araki said, if you have burning desire to write a love letter, it doesn’t matter if it’s pencil or ball point pen.
I don’t have Leica or anything really expensive or special. Just couple of normal cameras. I never keep any cameras what I don’t actively use. I have given some cameras to my friends before.
Then, honestly, these days I don’t particularly enjoy watching cameras or talk about them. No matter how great camera I would get, I wouldn’t be able to take it with me after I die. And we will all die, you know. But the feeling of being in some place and meeting some beautiful people, with my heart beating a little fast.. now that might be forever.
There is excellent article about GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) by Eric Kim. I recommend to read it.
Simon Baker / Tate in Tokyo
I was really impressed by Simon Baker’s presentation regarding Japanese photography in Japan Foundation today.
He showed several Japanese photographers works that are so important for me as well, for example Kamaitachi, Otoko to Onna, Farewell Photography, just to mention few.
His genuine love for Japanese photography was so transparent.
He pointed out: “Even though Moriyama is a better photographer than Man Ray you can get hundreds of Moriyamas (photo prints) with cost of one Man Ray”.
Music and Photographs
I will be playing the wonderful old Steinway in Goodman in my exhibition 4th and 18th of July in afternoon. There will be also delicious tea, and talk show about art.
Profile updated
I updated my profile page with the section about my past works.
Photo Exhibition
I will be holding photo exhibition in Koenji Goodman in July. The place is open during night time from 19:00 in weekends for jazz lives. I will also play the vintage Steinway in 7/4 and 7/18 in afternoon. Please come and enjoy! I will post more details later.
Depression
I really wish japanese society would be more open about discussion about depression. It is truly sorrowful situation, since depression is so very common here. Suicide is the leading cause of death of men here between the age of 22-44.
Instead of considering this topic, the mass media is celebrating latest gadgets and entertainment, OIympic Games, hair sprays. Bird hatchlings are getting stomped on the busy railway station under cheap business shoes.
There must be a better way.
Another Quake
There was earthquake. It felt like the earth was waving back and forth, like being on a ship.
Epicenter was near Ogasawara Island, M8.5 -5 Shindo scale, no danger of tsunami.
Illness
I was rather ill couple of days. It started on Thursday night. I felt like I was going to faint, I got fever and terrible headache.
I feel better now, although my stomach muscles are still tender of all that vomiting.
Being ill reminds me of the luxury of having a family; people around you who care about you (and get food). Those are the people who will stand by you.
Masashi Furuka
I really love my love my friend Masashi Furuka’s works. Not only his engaging human subject matter but his sense as a photographer.