The photo poster project is a photo poster exhibition organized by cizucu and held worldwide, where you can participate simply by choosing a city and date.
What we call ppp is more than just a photography exhibition. It is a community where anyone can safely share their own stories, and a unique opportunity to connect with creators from around the globe in real life.
This time, we spoke with the creator まつざか, who took part in the photo poster project.
Please introduce yourself!
Nice to meet you, my name is まつざか. I usually attend school in Tokyo, and I often take snapshots when I go out on weekends or travel.
Looking back, I bought my first camera for rather simple reasons—like the mechanical allure of the body or the romance that overflows from the lens. But through photography, I’ve encountered beautiful landscapes I never knew existed and formed new connections with people. Having this hobby has become a great source of pride for me.
What inspired you to participate?
In the past, I visited friends’ photography exhibitions and truly enjoyed the experience of ‘standing in the same space, sharing the same photographs, and seeing different interpretations emerge.’ Over time, I found myself deeply drawn to being part of such an environment.
Now that sharing and engaging with photographs on social media has become the norm, I feel that being able to visit a gallery and view printed works in person is especially valuable. The appeal also lies in how, through face-to-face conversations, participants can gradually understand not only each other's works but also each other's personalities.
Additionally, the excitement of seeing my own photograph printed large, along with the ease of having the gallery and works arranged for me, made me feel, ‘I can take on this challenge.’ That was the deciding factor for my participation.
How was your experience participating?
Among the time spent helping with the installation and interacting with other participants, what left the strongest impression on me was ‘the warmth of everyone’s positive engagement.’
The atmosphere in the exhibition space naturally fostered casual conversations and the sharing of impressions, making it much easier to connect than I had imagined. I was also grateful for the friendly advice I received and for learning about different approaches to photography across genres.
To be honest, I tend to be shy and am not very good at initiating conversations. Even so, the staff helped break the ice, so even as a first-timer or on my own, I was able to truly enjoy the event. I really appreciated that.
Why did you choose that particular photograph?
This photograph was taken during a photo walk last autumn. Beyond its vivid colors and the beauty of the maple leaves’ shapes, recalling that day brings back the atmosphere of moving freely in small groups and my admiration for the participants’ rich sensibilities. It remains a powerful memory for me.
This photo walk sparked my interest in vintage lenses and inspired me to experiment with new development techniques, greatly expanding my photographic expression. I chose this photograph for the exhibition because I wanted to convey the joy of learning and growing through connecting with others.
For those considering joining the photo poster project
In an era where anyone can easily capture images with a smartphone, you sometimes hear people say, ‘Photography is just about pressing the shutter.’ But I felt that ppp transforms the act of ‘taking’ into a new beginning.
I believe that by sharing the stories behind photographs and reflecting on them, simple records are elevated into lasting memories. ppp is an accessible platform for such creative output, and as someone exhibiting for the first time, it was the perfect event for me.
Everyone seeks something different from connecting through photography. Still, I think participating in ppp as a starting point is a wonderful choice.
