SHUN KOMIYAMA
photographer
ISSUE 0 2023 SS
Shun Komiyama simply enjoys the action of photography itself. He seeks out unnoticed uniqueness in a seemingly familiar town, and focuses in on it from his own perspective. As a result, an ordinary place is transformed into a special one full of previously unseen images. This is why he often forgets about time when out taking pictures as he becomes so absorbed by the world around him. On top of this, his graphical world is made with no digital processing.
I believe the essence of photography comes down to ‘I was here’. I think photography is ultimately nothing but a message of ‘I was here in this moment’.
When you take a photograph on a trip somewhere, the photo turns into a memory of your travel. If you take a photograph in Tokyo, the photo turns into a collection of part of Tokyo. Therefore, no matter where you have taken photos, the fact that you were there never changes. Even if you took the photos in a studio, no one could deny that you were in the studio.
When I stayed at home longer than before during the lockdown, I decided to reshoot my old photography in my house. These photos are produced through that process. It can be said that they represented simply ‘I was here’.
I think photography is the very action of taking photographs itself and is the product of this action. However, I presume that in the near future, the more AI technology improves, the more people will produce photography at their desk. I am anxious about entirely AI generated photography produced without any such action becoming more and more normal in our lives. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it ‘photography’; I would rather call it ‘graphics’. That’s why whenever that future comes, I will be able to say that ‘I was here’ always was a core theme of my photography, and my photography is defined by the very action of taking photographs.
Questionnaire
1
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Describe yourself in 3 words
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curious, whimsical, vivacious
2
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What are three things you cannot live without?
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photography, fashion, my own time
3
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Who are the most influential persons in your life?
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Okyo Maruyama, Taiyo Matsumoto, On Kawara
I found their approach of infusing individuality into their perception of reality to be the most appealing aspect. Each artist has their unique perspective and expression, which makes their works captivating.
4
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What are the essential elements of your fashion style?
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Bandana & cigarettes
5
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What is your favorite color?
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Orange
6
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What are your three favorite books on your bookshelf ?
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Heart Cocktail / Taizo Watase
Stay Cool / RJ Shaughnessy
Ishimoto Yasuhiro Centennial / Yasuhiro Ishimoto
7
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Where would you like to go for a trip?
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Germany
8
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What is the most memorable place you’ve visited?
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Trinidad, CUBA
9
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What is the one song you can listen to all the time?
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World’s end Rhapsody / Nujabes
10
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When do you feel stimulated or inspired?
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When I find hidden unnaturalness in a city.
11
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What is the best advice you have received from people?
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“You can’t make other people happy if you're not happy yourself.”
12
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What do you do?
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I am a photographer.
13
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Tell us what you love the most about your job.
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Continuing to have fun through taking photographs.
14
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What made you start your current job?
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The local photography studio in my neighborhood.
15
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What are the things you cannot live in the most?
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Science fiction novels.
16
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What makes you feel good?
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There are a lot of them.
17
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What do you always have on you?
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Cigarettes
18
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Tell us about your morning routine.
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I don't have anything specific, but if I'm forced to say, it's to smoke.
19
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What do you get immersed in, losing track of time?
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Photographs, Novels, Comics, Take a walk, Motorcycle.
20
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What is the ultimate luxury for you?
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Wearing a T-Shirt and riding a motorcycle on an empty highway in the midnight of the midsummer.
21
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What were you passionate about when you were younger?
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100m sprint in track and field.
22
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What is the most important decision you have made in your life?
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To live my life as a photographer.
23
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What was the most moving moment in your life?
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When I watched the movie "Dead Poets Society".
24
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Please tell me about the books or movies that you were engrossed in when you were a child.
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Star Wars / George Lucas
25
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What is the most recent book you have finished reading?
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Fahrenheit 451 / Ray Bradbury
26
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Who is your favorite author?
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Seizo Watase / Manga artist and illustrator
27
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Which country would you like to visit in the future?
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Germany
28
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Where is your favorite hotel?
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Nothing special.
29
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What is your favorite recent song?
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OMEGA TRIBE and Moby.
30
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Who’s your favorite singer?
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THE BLUE HEARTS
31
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Which movie do you watch over and over again?
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Star Wars / George Lucas
The Blues Brothers / John Landis
Somewhere / Sofia Coppola
American Graffiti / George Lucas
32
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What are your three favorite movies?
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Dead Poets Society / Peter Weir
American Graffiti / George Lucas
The Blues Brothers / John Landis
33
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What are some of your favorite movies you've seen recently?
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Elizabethtown / Cameron Crowe
34
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When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first point that catches your eye?
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Their outfit
35
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What do you wear in bed?
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There is no rule especially. It depends on the season.
