photo poster project | When You're Struggling, This Is the Time to Join by Suzuki Taichi | ISSUE #110

My name is Suzuki Taichi!
I was born and raised in Sendai, and I usually travel around the Tohoku region in search of breathtaking landscapes. I’ve been into photography for about a year now, and I’m still learning.

I aim to capture the moments that move my heart in photos and, through those photos, move someone else’s heart. With this in mind, I work under the motto, "Turning signs into photos, and photos into signs!"

I had never participated in a photo exhibition before, but I had always been interested. My motto only comes to life when there are people to see my work, so I wanted to show my photos to others and receive their feedback.

However, hosting a photo exhibition on my own seemed challenging due to the costs and preparation involved, so I had only thought of it as a "someday" goal. Then, I learned about the , where you can participate by simply preparing one photo. I thought, "This is it!" and decided to join.

It was truly enjoyable and fulfilling! I found two main attractions of the .

The first is receiving comments from other creators and visitors. Having my photos displayed and receiving immediate feedback from other creators boosted my motivation.
The second is encountering and connecting with various creators and their works. I was inspired by the diverse range of photos and creators, from landscapes to portraits, and gained a lot of new ideas.

Since this was my first exhibition, I chose my photo based on two criteria: "a recently taken photo" and "a photo I was satisfied with in terms of quality."
Based on these criteria, I decided on a photo themed around "fog." I believe it’s a piece that emphasizes the ambiguity and mystique of fog.

By displaying it, I was able to compare my work with the amazing photos of other creators, which helped me identify areas where I could improve. It was an incredibly valuable experience.

"It feels great to have someone see your work, and even better if they praise it."
I think this is a feeling that resonates with anyone who takes photos. The is the perfect place to make that happen.

I especially encourage those who are thinking, "Why am I even taking photos...?" or "I’ve been feeling unmotivated to take photos lately..." to participate.
These are feelings everyone experiences at some point, but that’s precisely why you should join. I believe you’ll rediscover the joy of photography!