The is an exhibition series organized by cizucu across the globe. By simply submitting your photographs to cizucu, you can participate in the photo poster exhibition and connect with fellow photographers you have yet to meet.
This time, we spoke with Hank, a creator who took part in the .
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Hank Shih (施博瀚). I am a freelance creator who works between Taiwan and Japan, centering my practice on photography and writing.
In recent years, I have focused on documenting art and cultural events, capturing urban streetscapes, social documentary, and travelogues. At the same time, I write stories about the people I meet and the narratives that emerge from each place I visit.
For me, photography is not merely an "artwork." I see it as an essential means to listen closely to the world and to my own inner self.
Whether it’s a lodge in a snowy region, a long-awaited return to an art festival, or a quiet corner at a sporting event, I strive to faithfully capture the warmth and breath that existed in those moments. I value authenticity, aiming to create expressions that gently surprise the viewer’s heart.
What inspired you to participate?
It began when a junior of mine, studying in Japan, participated in an open call and received an award. Later, he was interviewed by the team, and when I read that article, I realized for the first time that a single photograph could be genuinely engaged with and thoughtfully received by many.
Afterwards, I learned that the would be held in Taiwan for the first time. What’s more, there were no requirements regarding professional status or equipment—just bring a single photograph you wish to share.
The sense of "first time" was part of it, but as someone who has always used photography as a primary means of expression, I felt it was the perfect format. It felt as if the project was telling each participant, "Don’t worry too much about how good your photo is. It’s fine just as it is."
I have previously participated in several group exhibitions in Taiwan and Japan, but this was my first time presenting a single work and personally sharing the story behind it on stage. I felt it would be a valuable opportunity to re-examine my own photography and rediscover myself, so I decided to participate quite naturally.
How was your experience participating?
What surprised me most was that the atmosphere at the venue felt less like a "photography exhibition" and more like a gentle, warm gathering. Rather than comparing technical skill, each participant sincerely listened to the question, "Why this one photograph?"
The moment I saw my photograph printed large and displayed on the wall, it felt as if I was entrusting an entire moment from my past to the exhibition space. I thought I was there to exhibit my work, but in reality, it felt like I was offering a deeply personal memory to strangers for the first time.
Creators from Taiwan, Japan, and diverse backgrounds stood before the photographs and exchanged words. Even if we didn’t share the exact same language, the feeling of "looking back one last time before leaving" conveyed through the images was naturally shared.
That sense of being understood was truly irreplaceable for me, especially as someone who often works far from home and isn’t adept at expressing emotions in words.
Why did you choose this particular photograph?
This photograph captures my own room in the men’s dormitory in Echigo-Yuzawa. It was my last day working there. After waking up just past five in the morning and getting ready, as I was about to pack my things, I suddenly realized, "I’ve never properly photographed this room."
It was the only private room in the dormitory, and the only one with a desk. On the desk were meeting notes, project proposals, notebooks, memos, and chargers for equipment, all piled up haphazardly. Outside the window, the snowy morning was already beginning to brighten.
I set my camera on a tripod, left the lights off, and pressed the shutter in natural light. Without tidying or staging anything, I wanted to capture "the truest state of the room, just before leaving."
"Thank you for everything. Until next time!"
Not being good at farewells, I left a final note and quietly departed the dormitory. I stepped outside, trying not to make a sound, and walked away from the small town.
This photograph has become the one I always revisit when I look back on that time. It reminds me of shoveling snow with friends at 4 a.m., dinners around the stove, and the countless plans discussed and born within the dormitory.
For me, this photograph is like a final letter addressed to that period spent in the snowy country. That’s why, if I were to share a photograph that reflects on the past from Taipei, it would undoubtedly be this one.
For those considering participating in the photo poster project
If you have a photograph that feels like it holds a story you can’t quite put into words, or a single image that’s been tucked away on your computer because you haven’t found a place to present it, I encourage you to participate.
This is not a competitive arena, and you don’t need an impressive portfolio. All you need is that one photograph that lingers in your heart and comes to mind unexpectedly.
At the , your photograph will be carefully printed and exhibited on the wall. You’ll have the opportunity to stand beside your work and take your time sharing the memories behind it.
At the same time, you’ll hear others from completely different backgrounds share their own "one photograph," "one experience," and "one memory."
Perhaps it’s not that we lack photographs, but rather that we lack a place where we can confidently say, "This is what I truly cherish."
If you’re feeling even a little uncertain about your photography or daily life, this could be a wonderfully gentle starting point.
