The photo poster project, organized by cizucu and held in cities around the world, is an exhibition where you can participate simply by choosing a city and date.
This project, which we call PPP, is more than just a photography exhibition. It is a community where anyone can safely share their own story, and a unique opportunity to connect with creators from across the globe in real life.
This time, we spoke with Kaku, a creator who participated in the photo poster project.
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Kaku, and I live in Busan, South Korea. I have been taking photographs as a hobby for about seven years now, mainly focusing on landscapes and street photography.
At first, I was more fascinated by the mechanics of the camera itself than by photography as an art form.
Recently, however, I have been thinking more deeply about what makes a 'good photograph,' and I am experimenting with various approaches. cizucu has truly supported me in broadening my perspective and deepening my understanding of photography.
What inspired you to participate?
I discovered cizucu while watching photography-related content on YouTube.
Until then, I had never had the experience of showing my photographs to strangers and discussing them together, so when I learned about the photo poster project, I was truly excited.
It just so happened that the project coincided with a planned trip to Tokyo with friends, so I decided to take the plunge and participate.
How was your experience participating?
Before arriving at the exhibition space, I was quite anxious. My Japanese is not very strong, so I was worried about whether I could communicate effectively.
However, the moment I arrived, all my worries disappeared. The staff greeted me first and spoke to me in gentle Japanese, which made me feel very comfortable.
Seeing my own photograph displayed in the gallery for the first time was an overwhelming experience. I had never printed my work at such a large scale before, and even though it was the same photograph, it looked completely different.
I truly understood the saying, 'A photograph is only complete once it is printed.'
Being able to discuss photography with other participants was also a very special and rewarding experience. Although my Japanese is limited and I couldn't have in-depth conversations, I could still feel so much through the sincere expressions, mannerisms, and passion of fellow photography enthusiasts.
Why did you choose that particular photograph?
This is just my personal standard, but I believe a good photograph is one that you never tire of looking at.
It could be because the scenery is striking, the composition is compelling, the individual elements within the frame are intriguing, or because it evokes a sense of narrative. There are many possible reasons.
Others may see it differently, but for me, the photograph I selected this time embodies all of these qualities.
This photograph captures a person riding a bicycle in the rain. The composition and the markings on the road accentuate the direction in which the person is heading.
The more I gaze at it, the more I find myself wondering about this person's story, and my imagination begins to wander. That is what I find most fascinating about this image.
For those considering joining the photo poster project
The main thing I want to convey is that PPP is far more enjoyable than you might expect. Especially for those who enjoy photography as a solo pursuit, I highly recommend participating at least once.
If the city and dates of PPP happen to coincide with your trip to Japan, please do consider joining. I am sure it will become a wonderful memory, something you could never experience on an ordinary trip.
Conversely, I also hope that people from Japan and other countries will join PPP events held in Korea.
