The Canon Junior Photographers 2007 photo exhibition, which involved children observing the natural environment in their neighborhood and learning about environmental issues, was held from November 7 (Sat.) through 25 (Sun.) at multiple-purpose space “umu” on the first floor of TV Asahi in Roppongi, Tokyo.

The exhibited photos were taken by about 750 children who participated in “Canon Junior Photographers 2007” programs held a total of 19 times in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Toyama, Nagano, Aichi, Shiga, Wakayama, Okayama, Tokushima, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures and Tokyo. The photos were introduced with titles given by the children themselves. Also exhibited along with their works were pictures that showed the children enjoying photo workshops and photography sessions, as well as descriptions of their impressions .

All sorts of people visited the exhibition: families with children, an elderly couple passing by, young couples, amateur photographers, etc. An amateur photographer who was impressed with children’s works said : “While adults think about the composition first of all, those children release the shutter purely and simply. Their compositions are dynamic, and their sensibility, which adults don’t have, is amazing.” An old couple who were looking carefully at the photos one by one with a smile said : “Children have great sensibility. We can’t take such good photos.”

Unique titles that children have given to their works also added spice to the Junior Photographers exhibition. Titles that show their fresh sensitivity include “A Dance Party of Flowing Water (Nagareru Mizu no Dansu Paatii),” “Who is in Love with Flowers? (O-hana ga Koisuru Aite towa?),” “Busy Spider (Isogashii Kumo),” “A Door to the World of Water (Mizu no Sekai eno Tobira),” “Narcissistic Crow (Narushisuto na Karasu),” “Depressed Morning Glory (Ochikonda Asagao),” “Chorus of Rain (Minna de Ame no Gassho),” “A Little Tired Lily (Chotto Otsukare Sasayuri-san),” “Mysterious Creature (Nazo no Seibutsu),” and “Aquatic Restaurant (Suijou Resutoran).”

Each visitor who filled in a questionnaire at the exhibition was presented with postcards of the children’s photos. They were impressed with the well-finished postcards. A monitor placed at a rest area at the exhibition showed slides of photo workshops held nationwide. Visitors enjoyed the slide show while taking a break.

This year too, many children participated in Canon Junior Photographers. The children’s unaffected and attractive photos made a deep impression on many visitors. We wonder what kinds of photos will appear in 2008 and are looking forward to seeing them.