photo poster project | Photos Bring People Closer: Warmth Felt Through the Exhibition by Reune | ISSUE #129

Nice to meet you, my name is Reune.
The name comes from the word “reunite.”
It represents a reunion with the past, with another self within me, and with fragments I thought were lost.

I take photos using both smartphones and film cameras.
I enjoy capturing small moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Sometimes, when I find light scattered in everyday life, I think, “I want to preserve this scene in my memory,” and I pick up my camera.

For me, photography is about “observing.”
It’s about observing the world and myself.
In the moment I press the shutter, I feel like I’m confirming, “I’m still feeling this right now.”

This was my first time participating in a photo exhibition.
I think the is a special exhibition where you can engage both as a viewer and as someone being viewed.

But honestly, what attracted me wasn’t just the exhibition itself.
It was the opportunity to meet and talk with creators I usually only interact with online.

I wanted to know what they felt in the moment they captured a photo.
Why did they press the shutter at that moment?
These were the things I was curious about.

And above all, through this experience, I wanted to find my own position while searching for answers to questions like:
“What does photography mean to me?”
“Why do I take photos?”

The most memorable part was undoubtedly “the time spent directly exchanging words with other creators.”

By sharing the stories behind our photos, I felt I could connect with their emotions on a much deeper level than through online interactions.
Hearing about the creative process and emotions directly from the creators themselves felt like I was pressing the shutter alongside them.

For the first time in my life, I had my own business cards (creator cards) at this exhibition. When exchanging these cards, which featured my printed works, everyone handed them over with such care and a slightly nervous expression.
Watching this, I felt a warm sense of pride, realizing, “I’m truly participating in a proper exhibition.” The fact that the organizers created these cards for each participant was also impressive, and their thoughtfulness conveyed a deep respect for the creators.

At the end of the exhibition, seeing the staff carefully take down each poster, I noticed the gentleness in their handling of the works, reflecting their respect for the creators’ feelings.

And above all, the greatest reward was meeting so many wonderful creators. Talking to them, I learned that many have their own jobs, such as hairstylists, public servants, and even nurses.

Yet, all of them quietly and sincerely love photography.

I realized that there are so many kind and talented people in everyday life.

When I take photos, I rarely decide on a theme in advance. While walking, I’m naturally drawn to light, sound, or the atmosphere of a place, and I end up pressing the shutter.

When selecting a photo for the exhibition, I looked back at many of my photos.
But among them, this one taken at night in Tainan stood out—I couldn’t take my eyes off it no matter how many times I looked at it.

At that moment, I was drawn to the distant sound of drums.
Amid the liveliness, I felt a slight sense of detachment.
That feeling of “getting closer yet maintaining some distance” was a moment I wanted to preserve.

For me, this photo symbolizes “observing the world while being drawn to it.” It’s also the most natural state for me when taking photos.

Curiosity and a hint of hesitation.

It’s the ambiguity between these two that makes photography so fascinating.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have a perfect theme.
If you have one photo you want someone to see, that’s enough.

The most appealing aspect of the is that you can be both “the one taking photos” and “the one being seen.”
Through others’ works, you might find emotions you recognize or reflect on why you take photos through their perspectives.

Above all, this exhibition event has a warmth to it.
Whether it’s with a film camera, an instant camera, or a smartphone, any work is treated with care and displayed beautifully as a printed poster on the wall.

In that moment, you realize, “That one photo I took as usual is now being seen by so many people.”

Surely, your photo will quietly reach someone’s heart too.