The , organized by cizucu since the end of last year, allows participants to join a photo poster exhibition simply by submitting their photos to cizucu. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new photographer friends.
This time, we spoke with creator laoi, who participated in the .
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Aoi, and I enjoy photography as a hobby, mainly around Wakayama. I often use FUJIFILM cameras and vintage lenses, and I love capturing seasonal flowers, friends, hands, and sunlight filtering through trees.
What inspired you to participate?
I’ve always wanted to hold my own solo exhibition someday, but I didn’t know where to start. While I was hesitating, I came across the photo exhibition.
I had never participated in a photo exhibition before, so I was unsure if someone like me, who only does photography as a hobby, could join. However, I decided to take the plunge, thinking it would be a great learning experience for hosting my own exhibition in the future!
How was your experience participating?
Usually, I only view my photos on a smartphone-sized screen, so I was nervous about seeing my photos printed in large sizes, worrying about potential flaws. However, I learned about the beauty of enlarging photos and discovered new perspectives, such as the joy of noticing details that only become visible when viewed up close.
Normally, I would swipe past photos outside my favorite genres, but this time, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at photos from other genres and sharing impressions with others. Interacting with other participants and hearing the stories behind their photos also gave me new inspiration and insights into their lives through the lens of a camera.
Although I was very nervous, the cizucu team created a welcoming atmosphere, allowing me to have a meaningful and enjoyable time.
Why did you choose that particular photo?
The theme was “a photo you want to talk about,” so I chose one that brings back fond memories every time I see it. It’s a photo from when I lived in Laos, a country in Southeast Asia.
Laos is a hot country all year round, and I often walked while holding a parasol to avoid the sun. Looking down, I would find fallen flowers, dappled sunlight dancing on the ground, and other delightful discoveries. It made me realize that walking with my eyes down wasn’t so bad after all.
There’s a lot of littering, and I often found myself wondering, “Why was this thrown here?” or “Why was it discarded this way?” Imagining the stories behind the discarded items and reflecting on Laos always makes me want to talk about this photo.
A message for those considering joining the photo poster project
This is an event where you can rediscover the true value of photography—not through followers, likes, or comments, but through the essence of the photos and the emotions behind them. I was very nervous and hesitant about participating, but the experience was far more rewarding than I could have imagined!
Being involved from the preparation stage and watching the exhibition space come together was also a highlight. Having tasks to focus on helped ease my nerves, so I highly recommend it!
