The Pure Joy of Taking Photographs | 10 Questions for Sou Igarashi | ISSUE #8

‘ISSUE’ explores the sensibilities and thought processes of creators from around the globe, serving as a catalyst for new inspiration.
In ‘ISSUE #8’, we present 10 questions to Sou Igarashi, president of the Doshisha University Camera Club and cizucu PRO, delving into his background and his pure approach to enjoying photography.

My name is Sou Igarashi, and among friends, I'm often called "Garaso." However, I currently go by the name "Rassy" in my activities. There's no particular meaning behind the name—I just picked it on a whim (laughs).

I'm enrolled in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Doshisha University and serve as the president of the Doshisha University Camera Club (Kamekura). Rather than focusing on producing photographic works as art, our group is a gathering of people who simply love taking photographs.

While artistic photography is wonderful, I want to emphasize the initial impulse of "photography is fun." That's why I plan many retreats and events to serve as an entry point for newcomers. Our club has grown to about 180 members with the influx of new students, so managing everything keeps me busy, but I'm hoping to organize barbecues and other activities in the future.

To be honest, I don't really remember the very first photograph I took.

I've loved machines since I was a child and used to play with video cameras. Back then, it wasn't so much about enjoying taking photos or videos, but more about the tactile pleasure of handling the camera itself.

I first realized how fun photography could be when I was in high school. I got the latest iPhone before most of my peers, and when I started taking photos, the image quality was noticeably better than others'. I didn't know much about cameras at the time, but the experience of capturing something more beautifully than others left a strong impression on me. That's when I vaguely started wanting to take photographs that were different from everyone else's.

After entering university, I bought my first interchangeable lens camera, a Sony α7 III. Since I bought it in spring, I wanted to photograph flowers, so I rushed to the botanical garden alone.
Once again, I realized how enjoyable it is to take photos by myself. The time spent engaging with photography and reflecting inwardly feels truly fulfilling. Wearing a camera around my neck led to conversations with other photographers, which opened up new worlds for me.

I don't think I have any particular attachment to equipment. Maybe that's because I'm not that knowledgeable about cameras yet.
For me, the camera is simply a tool for taking photographs, so I don't have strong preferences about specs. Incidentally, I chose my beloved Sony α7 III because I love the shutter sound, and its weight feels just right—not too heavy, not too light.

This isn't exactly about preferences, but when I went to buy this camera at Yodobashi Camera, there was no stock at all. The staff told me it would take at least two months to arrive, so I was filling out a reservation form feeling disappointed. Then, by chance, a canceled order became available, and I was able to purchase it that very day.
I felt as if the camera was calling out, "Buy me!" and decided I had to get it (laughs). That's why I don't think I'll be switching to another camera anytime soon.

I'm a big fan of the artist Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Even their energetic songs weave in delicate feelings like loneliness and melancholy in the lyrics, and I'm drawn to that contrast, so I listen to them often.

There are times when you have to overcome hardships. Their latest song, "Que Sera Sera," encourages people in those moments, teaching that it's okay to fail.

My all-time favorite is "New My Normal," released right after their hiatus ended. It's a song that values gratitude, and I still love listening to it. The melody feels bright and uplifting, but the lyrics also confront the darker sides of reality and strive to overcome them. That aspect gives me courage.

When it comes to photography, I often watched the YouTube channels of Keisuke Takazawa and the female photographer Moronnon. I was watching them even before I bought my camera.

I love works shot in pastel colors, so my color inspiration is Yuri, who is active on Instagram.

I'd like to try the FUJIFILM X-T5.

Some professionals prefer cloudy days, but I like it when the sunlight is strong and direct.
I love softly glowing, old film-like photographs, so I'm always happy to capture flares or ghosts when shooting backlit scenes.

When shadows are rendered beautifully, it creates depth and a sense of three-dimensionality, so sunlight is essential for me.

There's nothing in particular that comes to mind.

What I do try to value is my health. I try to avoid unhealthy foods and limit alcohol, paying attention to my diet.
I believe habits are important for people. Sometimes I overeat or drink too much, but if I let that become a habit, it would be scary.

Looking five or ten years ahead, I want to live with self-discipline rather than falling into a self-indulgent lifestyle.

I often look for outfit inspiration on social media and then search for similar styles at UNIQLO or GU. I don't buy full outfits of luxury brands because I feel I wouldn't make the most of them in daily life. However, I do love incorporating a single nice item as an accent.

I consider clothes to be consumables, so I try to keep costs down. The best clothes are those that don't make me sad if I spill soy sauce on them (laughs).

It depends on the situation, but since I like the bokeh effect with plenty of sunlight, I often shoot with the aperture wide open.

As for other settings, I do shoot in manual mode, but I generally use aperture priority. Again, for me, the camera is just a tool, so as long as I can honestly capture and preserve the moments I want to remember, I'm satisfied. Also, since I'm in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, I sometimes learn about camera mechanisms in lectures. So when it comes to settings, I trust the camera to suggest the perfect settings for the moment, and I just enjoy shooting.

However, for group shots or panning at night, I sometimes shoot in manual mode. Aperture priority feels most natural to me, but if it doesn't feel right, I switch to manual.