photo poster project | A Time to Feel Connections Beyond the Screen by leeflect | ISSUE #111

My name is leeflect. I’m a Korean who has been living in Japan for seven years. Even before coming to Japan, I admired iconic landmarks like Mount Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and Skytree.

The photos I took to preserve the memories of visiting these dream destinations for the first time have now become my primary hobby. Recently, I’ve been going out to shoot almost every week, and even on days I can’t go out, I spend time editing photos.

I came across a video by my favorite YouTuber showcasing their exhibit at the held at Kitamura Camera Exhibition in Shinjuku. That’s when I decided to look into it. At the time, I was struggling with questions like, "Where should I take my photography journey next?"

When you’re active on social media, it’s easy to get caught up in likes and follower counts, which can make you feel trapped in the digital world.
That’s why I wanted to experience a place where people who love photography gather, and where I could showcase my work in a tangible way. That’s what led me to participate.

It was my first time exhibiting my photos and having others view them, so I was nervous. However, as I looked at other participants’ photos and engaged in conversations, I started to feel more at ease.

Before arriving at the venue, I was filled with doubts and nerves, but after the exhibition, I had several realizations that I’d like to share.

First, "Photos displayed in a real space are completely different from those on a screen."
Even though I had seen my photos countless times on a screen, seeing them displayed on a wall moved me deeply. The larger size of the photos and the atmosphere of the space combined to create emotions I had never experienced before.

Second, "You can convey emotions through words when explaining your work."
It’s always been challenging for me to express my feelings through text alone. But when I explained my work in person, looking into people’s eyes and speaking with emotion, I felt a genuine connection with others.

Lastly, "What I learned from my first exhibition."
I had always hesitated to call myself a photographer. But after exhibiting my work, I gained confidence. Seeing real reactions, rather than just likes, warmed my heart. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future.

I chose a photo of Mount Fuji, which inspired me to start photography, for my first exhibition.
I wanted to combine the warm light of the sunset with the comforting atmosphere of a real space.

The was more than just an opportunity to exhibit my work; it was a time to feel connections with others.
Seeing real reactions is an invaluable experience that cannot be compared to receiving likes on social media. It also helped me gain confidence as a photographer.

I encourage everyone to give it a try.