The , organized by cizucu, is held across various locations in Japan. By simply submitting your photos to cizucu, you can participate in the photo poster exhibition and meet fellow photographers you haven't encountered before.
This time, we spoke with retar, a creator who has participated in the twice in the past.
Please introduce yourself!
Nice to meet you. My name is retar. I am based in Hokkaido and specialize in street snaps and flower photography.
Due to balancing my main job, I don't get to shoot as often as I'd like, but I enjoy photography at my own pace. Thank you for having me.
What inspired you to participate?
In the past, I had exhibited in group photo exhibitions, but it had been about 10 years since then. I started wondering how others perceive the photos I take now. I wanted to explore aspects that can't be understood through SNS metrics alone, which led me to decide to participate.
Have you experienced any changes after participating multiple times?
One major change is that I've met more people with whom I can share common interests through photography. This has allowed me to learn about different shooting styles and editing techniques, which I feel has contributed to improving my own skills.
Additionally, since each has a different theme, I initially exhibited photos from my existing collection for the first event. However, for the second event, I started by brainstorming ideas to match the theme. This willingness to take on new challenges was a change I hadn't experienced before, and it even surprised me.
What do you find appealing about the photo poster project?
The biggest appeal is meeting people I wouldn't have encountered otherwise. Even if I knew them on SNS, I never had the chance to meet and talk with them in person. This opportunity for real-life interaction is what I find most attractive.
A message for those considering participating in the photo poster project
At first, I honestly felt anxious, wondering, "Is it okay for someone like me to participate?" I value capturing the "shapes" and "moments" in everyday life rather than extraordinary landscapes. While my work might seem plain at first glance, I believe it reflects my style.
However, once I participated, those anxieties quickly disappeared. The venue had a very welcoming atmosphere, and there was no negative feedback about the works. Instead, it was a space where I could genuinely share my love for photography through my work.
The time spent meeting and talking with people through photography became a valuable experience for me. If you love photography, I believe participating will be worth it.
I look forward to seeing your work next time.
