Interview #496: Hiroyuki Takenouchi
q: How did you first start with photography? a: I liked drawing when I was a child, so I started taking pictures to collect materials for drawing, but soon I became more fond of photography.
q: For your photobook "Things will get better over time", why was the book printed in blue on blue paper? And was there a reason for the blank pages in between spreads? a: It was originally an idea from the book designer, I thought it was a challenging endeavor. In Japanese, there is a word called "blueprint" that means a plan or a vision for the future. Together with a large number of blank pages, I think it is a mechanism to inflate dreams and delusions.
q: I have both photobooks for "Things will get better over time" and "The Fourth Wall", and I love both. I noticed that there are some photos that are repeated across both, but are presented differently. "The Fourth Wall" is full of life and colour while "Things will get better over time" is just one colour and almost faded into the paper. Was there a reason for this? a: “Things will get better over time" comes first in the order of publication, but “The Fourth Wall” started production first, so I decided to make an orthodox photobook and show my work straight. We were focusing on it. I decided to make different books at about the same time, and I thought that I could create a different world by changing the way the same photos are shown.
q: I like how your photos seem direct and honest in your observations. Would you say it reflects you as a person in some way? a: The photograph is from the photographer's point of view, and the subject is confronting the photographer, so I think it is greatly reflected.
q: You also often include animals and insects in your personal projects, and relate to them in a personal way in your writing. Why? a: I've always thought it would be nice to be able to communicate with things that I can't communicate with, so I feel like I'm doing that in a pseudo manner.
q: In another interview you mention you prefer smaller digital cameras, why? Or what camera(s) do you like right now? a: Because I carry the camera with me when shooting, I prefer something that fits my body better. Actually, I think it's good if my eyes are shutters or if everything can be completed with the iPhone. The camera I'm using most now is the Sony α.
q: You shoot both personal projects and commercially. Do you feel there are similarities or differences when shooting for either? a: When I'm on a commercial project, I'm sometimes asked to shoot in my own style, and at that time I try to relax my shoulders and shoot in a relaxed manner. But shooting a commercial project can't afford to fail, which may be the difference from a personal project. However, the tension can produce better results than the work. Nobody is in trouble if I can't shoot anything for a personal project that day.
q: Upcoming projects or ideas? I can't really talk about the next idea, but now I'm interested in video works and writing
q: Any music to recommend? a: I often listen to the early music of SHINJI HARADA.
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