Late January this year.As a new challenge, he carefully selected 1 artistic photographs from the photo book and held a photo exhibition for the general public who does not know snowboarding at all in Ebisu AL, Tokyo.In the first part of the interview, he talked about his thoughts on the photo exhibition, his background in photography, and the future possibilities of snowboard photography.The second part focuses on how to make photographs and photobooks look more interesting, how he perceives his current activities as a photographer, and what he thinks about future actions.
Free Run (F): Is there anything that Mr. Tsutomu cherishes when taking pictures?
Isao Endo (E): I wonder if the photo matches the world of the slipper.Ideally, the individuality of the slipper should appear in the photo, and it would be nice if the field in the background of the person (subject) and what he was doing were linked.Otherwise I will feel uncomfortable.For example, let's say that the backcountry is in vogue right now, and a person who had been crazy about the rails, saying "Jib is the best" until recently, suddenly came into the backcountry with a twin-tip board with a guide.Well, there are still pictures that you can slide from the peak, but that makes me feel uncomfortable.After all, I like shooting in the field linked to the story of the snowboard that the person came from.
F: What are you conscious of when shooting?
E: I wonder if I'm shooting with a theme now.The theme and style (to know who the photo is when you look at the photo without a caption).I want to do something that retains that style = style.At one point, I noticed the balance of curves and the texture of snow, and was addicted to expressing the beauty and softness of snow curves.I think we can pursue this world with curvaceous beauty.I wonder if pursuing this will be my style.
F: Photobooks and photo exhibitions.Do you think it would be nice if you could see the photos like this?
E: First of all, when it comes to photobooks, the fate of a photobook (book) is to "open."It doesn't spread on the right and left.How to assemble an art book is the life.The point is what to express with that set.The flow is also important.Whether or not there is a flow is the difference between a simple list of works and an art book.So why is this a combination of this photo?I think it would be more interesting if you could see it while thinking about it.Also, don't look at credits or captions.
F: Is it better not to see it?
E: Yes, look at the picture.
A photobook is for reading pictures.I really wanted to get all the captions and credits.However, this photobook expresses a valuable 18-year era while respecting the rider, so I thought that I should not remove it as a snowboard photographer, but it is more interesting if it is not.
F: Do you enjoy it from various imaginations?
E: That's right.It's drawn in the picture, so you read the picture.It's really interesting to see with that kind of consciousness.Why is this a combination of this and this?What does it mean to have this on the next page?
F: How about this photo exhibition?
E: This is a match with space rather than a story, so I am conscious of the flow when I come in.I wonder if it's a color balance or a combination of overall colors.I'm thinking about the warmth of photographs, riding art, snow scenes, natural development, fishy way of life, etc. according to each theme, but I think the first thing is to be conscious of the color of the space.Emphasis is placed on matching space and photographs.
F: As a photographer and Artis, there were talks about people who don't know snowboarding and want their photos to be displayed at home.What kind of emotions do you want them to have and what do you want them to do?
E: Above all, the culture of decorating pictures can only be done if you have a rich heart.I hope that something like that kind of leeway will spread.It's up to the individual to decide how to feel beyond that, and I think the act itself is a very rich story.It's okay to be more freedom.I want more and more affluent people to decorate their homes and visit photo exhibitions, and I hope the world will be peaceful beyond that.The aim is LOVE & PEACE.For that reason, I'm a photographer, so I'd like to be like that through photography, and maybe the cook would like to serve delicious food and make the world smile.I want each person to do a good job.
F: Do you have any future goals?
E: I wish I could continue as a writer.I'll go through it.It goes without saying that I will make wonderful works, but I will gradually increase my fans by repeating such activities.It's also the next step on the road to becoming a writer.Even if I say, "This is art, it's wonderful," I can't live, and I have to be recognized.It's not about having a solo exhibition and changing the world overnight.After repeating the photo exhibitions, I noticed that I continued to do steady activities like this, and I got various people to see my character in various places such as slide talk shows, and gradually set my hurdles. I realized that expanding was another theme of my life.I published a photo book from Shogakukan, but nothing changed, and I did a photo exhibition in Tokyo.Nothing changes.What really matters is how much it resonates with the ordinary people there.From now on, we look forward to your continual support.
Endo Tsutomu
Born in 1978. Born and resident in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture.Familiar with snowboard culture, specializing in shooting in snowy mountains, since 1998 he has been involved in advertising, catalogs, magazines and writing, focusing on extreme photography.Also, focusing on nature and snaps, he travels in search of the excitement of this star.Held photo exhibitions, slide talk shows, etc. at home and abroad.
Official HP: http://www.tsutomuendo.com
Sponsor: MSR, ONE BALL JAY, F-STOP, CAPiTA SNOWBOARD, SPACE CRAFT, FLUX
Photo exhibition "Art of snow players" cooperation: RIDE SNOWBOARDS, CANON, BLUE MOON
Photo: Kentaro Fuchimoto
