-How did you produce your prize-winning work?

In September 2006, I went back to Kyoto from Tokyo by bus. While looking out of the window absent-mindedly, I had an urge to take a photo, and I kept photographing all the way. Without using a viewfinder, I pressed the shutter feeling as if I was blinking. After coming home, I developed them, and when I lined them up, I thought they could be organized as one work. About a month later, they came out as they are now.

-Why did you enter the competition of New Cosmos of Photography?

Some friends of mine at school entered, and I did too, because I felt I’d like to join them. I didn’t think about winning a prize, so when I was informed, I couldn’t understand for a moment what it was about. I’m very happy that Daido Moriyama selected my work. But it was unexpected, because I thought that a more intense work would draw his attention.
I’m not very good at making speeches, so I’m afraid I couldn’t give a good presentation at the public selection meeting. Many people spoke to me, but unfortunately the time passed so quickly during the exhibition period. Probably it was because I had both the exhibition of New Cosmos of Photography and the intermediate examination of my graduate production as a senior around that time. Somehow I could cope with both of them though.

-After you received the prize, was there any change around you or did you have a change of mind?

As I’m a student, my surroundings didn’t change a lot. It still seems further away in the future when I should promote myself as a photographer, taking advantage of this prize. But the co-grand prize I’ve won certainly made me confident. I want to continue taking photos without forgetting this feeling.

-How did you start photography?

It’s only about two years since I began to take photos. As a high school student, I was into basketball. Because I was very fond of drawing and painting, I went to art college. When I was a freshman and sophomore, I was devoted to dyeing and weaving. I began to tackle photography when I became a junior. Once I started, I found it so much fun. Every day I walked about here and there with my camera, and after that, I absorbed myself in a darkroom. I enjoyed the process so much that my photos accumulated. What to photograph is not always fixed. I just snap what is in front of me. I don’t know what I’m reacting to when I press the shutter. I think I want to take a photo of a certain unexpected moment. As a matter of fact, we can only photograph what is in front of us. I believe that I’m not so much mistaken about what I’m doing.

-What is your plan for future activities?

I’ll go on to the graduate school in 2008. I hope I’ll be able to continue producing work quietly in the familiar surroundings of the university. Also I want to hold a solo exhibition. I’d like to have many people of various fields see my work and provide me with different opinions. At this exhibition, many people came to see my work, and I’m very happy about it. I’ve learned a great deal from them.

-Is there a photographer you are fond of?

I like black-and-white photos. I often look at series of black-and-white flower photos taken by Daido Moriyama and Nobuyoshi Araki. As for color photos, I love Rika Noguchi’s(*) work.

* Rika Noguchi
Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1971. In 1995, Noguchi won the Grand Prize of the “Hitotsubo Exhibition,” an open photo competition. In 1996, she won the Grand Prize of New Cosmos of Photography 1996. Her photo series include “Moguru Hito (Diver),” “Fujiyama,” “Rocket Hill,” and “The Sun.” She continues exhibiting her works energetically at galleries and art museums inside and outside Japan.