Photo Poster Project is a photography poster exhibition organized by cizucu in cities around the world—all you need to do to participate is choose a city and date.
The project we call ppp is more than simply a photography exhibition. It is a community where everyone can feel at ease sharing their own story, as well as an opportunity to connect with creators from around the world in person.
For this edition, we spoke with Roger, one of the creators who participated in Photo Poster Project.
Please introduce yourself!
Hello, I’m Roger!
To be honest, photography once had very little place in my life. I had never felt a strong desire to take photographs from an early age. I would occasionally use my phone to take pictures for Stories while I was out, or photograph myself with my partner for social media posts—that was about it.
I first began engaging seriously with photography in June 2024, while on a working holiday in Australia.
Influenced by the friends around me and by life there, I soon found myself completely absorbed in cameras. I spent around four or five hours each day learning photography through YouTube and gradually began going out with my camera.
The coast, mountains on the outskirts of town, road trips, and city streets walked alone late at night.
As I continued photographing these places, my love of photography developed naturally.
What inspired you to participate in ppp?
The greatest motivation was that I had only recently returned to Taiwan from Australia.
Living abroad had given me the courage to engage with unfamiliar things and experiences more readily than before. It was like mustering the courage to speak with someone from another country even though I wasn’t particularly confident in my English.
That was all the more reason to try when it involved photography, something I genuinely cared about. I participated with a simple “Why not?” mindset.
What was the experience actually like?
It was fascinating. People often describe themselves as introverts, but what struck me at the ppp exhibition space was how naturally everyone opened up to one another through photography.
A single artwork was enough to spark a conversation. That was the atmosphere in the space.
I was also moved to see works that I would normally encounter as social media posts transformed into A2 posters and presented in a physical space. It felt as though something I had previously seen only on a screen had taken shape in the real world, and I was amazed by the quality of the prints.
Another aspect that left a lasting impression was the staff.
They paid close attention to each artist’s work and words, naturally bringing out what made them compelling. I found their approach truly remarkable. They created bridges between creators and provided the impetus for new conversations and exchanges. I’m deeply grateful to them.
Why did you select this particular work?
After returning to Taiwan from Australia in February this year, there was a period leading up to the June 14 exhibition when changes in my circumstances meant that I had not gone out to take photographs for some time.
It was then that I received an invitation to exhibit and learned that the theme was “喜歡,” meaning “to like” or “love.” That became the impetus for selecting this work.
This photograph reminds me of the sense of wonder I felt when I had only just begun pursuing photography in 2024. At the time, I started taking photographs simply because I loved it. Learning about photography every day, traveling to a destination to make photographs, and experiencing the city alone with my camera—even the time leading up to pressing the shutter felt deeply rewarding.
Of course, the result is even more gratifying when I actually succeed in capturing a particular moment. This theme led me to choose the work and helped me rediscover that feeling of love once again.
For anyone considering participating in Photo Poster Project
If you are currently watching from the sidelines and wondering whether to participate, I encourage you to take just one more step forward.
An exhibition is not a place to compare whose work is good or bad. There is no need to feel anxious or lose confidence. ppp is a platform that embraces everyone’s passion for photography.
What matters is enjoying the exhibition and exchanging stories with one another. I believe that is all you need to do.