“Life”
My father once mentioned, It’s more interesting to be the one critiqued than the one critiquing. It’s similar to the concept that in sports, it’s more interesting to be a player than a spectator. These words apply in any world. In a war zone, the one who photographs would be the former. For young people with no money, no skills, and no achievements, the pressure of society isn’t easy. However, for those who’ve put all their strength from zero, and experience the pleasure of creating something concrete, criticism cannot block the path.
Selecting judge: Nobuyoshi Araki
Among the applicants this year, this person has taken the most photos. There are a lot of geeks who coop up and fiddle around. I like his momentum of going out and shooting photos. He has submitted a stack of photos that reflect what he felt, what was sad, and what touched him, yet there’s still room for interpretation for the person who sees these. If he improves, it would be possible to read the photographer’s philosophies and grammar, like Sebastian Salgado. That would be called a creator, but these are simply being shot, and I think it’s good that he’s not being a creator. I also like the use of color film. When it’s black and white, it feels like there’s been a passage of time, that there’s some theory behind it. When reportage is done in color, it feels timely, like live coverage of a battlefield, right? But these photos are full of primary colors, so they lack a feeling of tragedy. Photographs sure are liars.
