Return to the Past, Move to the Future | 10 Questions for Itsuki Mori | ISSUE #3

I'm Itsuki Mori. I was born in 2001, making me 22 years old this year. I'm originally from Shizuoka Prefecture and currently a student at Kyoto University of the Arts. However, I should have been in my fourth year, but I have a desire to start a business, so I'm currently on a leave of absence.

Being part of the COVID generation, there was no entrance ceremony, and classes were all online. As an art university, there are many things that can't be done without using the school's facilities, so I'm honestly glad that taking a leave of absence extended my student period. It's like a bonus time. However, compared to other schools, the cost of taking a leave was quite high, which was a setback.

Recently, I've started shooting with drones. However, due to strict regulations in Kyoto Prefecture, I mainly shoot when I go to the countryside or return to my hometown (laughs).

I originally loved drawing and have been drawing since I was a child. My parents would occasionally bring home stacks of copy paper, and after finishing my homework, I would draw endlessly on the copy paper.

I loved art and craft classes in elementary school and was in the art club in middle school. Looking back, I might have been the type to get too absorbed in what I liked.

As for the camera, when was it...

I think my first memory might be touching a film that came as a supplement with 'Challenge 1st Grade' when I was in the lower grades of elementary school. It was like 'Utsurun desu'. Honestly, I couldn't take clear photos at all, but I remember the feeling when it was in my hand.

The first proper camera I got was a Panasonic LUMIX compact digital camera, which I received as a birthday present in the fourth grade of elementary school.

My obsession with equipment might be fading. In my first year of university, I bought a SONY α7 III on loan for about 200,000 yen. I have an attachment to this camera, and I don't plan to change the camera body for a while.

However, as long as I have money, I want to try various lenses. I truly believe that photos change depending on the lens.

Personally, I like old lenses now. Among the ones I own, my favorite is the CONTAX Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm. It's manual only, so it's a bit inconvenient (laughs). Initially, I used a mount adapter to change to autofocus, but gradually I got used to using it manually.

Indeed, the current Sony lenses have better performance and no chromatic aberration, so the image quality is better. Compared to that, old lenses give the impression of using something from the era when wide-angle was still developing. Still, I feel there's a unique charm in the blurring of photos and the impossible light entry that can't be found in modern lenses. Also, honestly, the low price is one of the reasons (laughs). So, I often look for them on Mercari.

I use Kenko's BLACK MIST filter. It's often used in overseas videos and dramas. It enlarges the highlight areas, making it 'emo'. Unless it's for product photography, I usually keep it on when shooting outside. Sometimes, I overdo it with the light, but it really allows for great works at night.

I make sure not to attach it to old lenses. They have a strong character on their own (laughs).

I often listen to Sakanaction. My favorite songs might be 'Music' and 'Slow Motion'. The MV for 'Slow Motion' was directed by Yoshiro Okuyama, whom I respect. When I later found out about it, I was surprised that someone I respect was connected to a song I like.

Also, I like King Gnu. Especially, I love the works of Daiki Tsuneta, the leader, and often listen to the songs of millennium parade, which he produces.

Speaking of inspiration, I often receive it from Yoshiro Okuyama, whom I mentioned earlier.

As for works, I admire Daido Moriyama, a master who also won the Hasselblad International Photography Award. His idea of changing the concept of the photography industry, which had traditionally valued perfection without blur or distortion, is truly inspiring. Of course, quality is important, but the fact that he created the style of black crushing by taking an enormous number of photos is amazing.

Also, Yoichi Ochiai. Not limited to photography, I receive inspiration from him in terms of art production. I originally attended an industrial high school in the information systems department and loved SF and new technologies. At that time, I learned about his concept of 'Digital Nature', and now I think that a world like AR or MR might really be realized in the future. In my favorite manga 'Dennou Coil', the AR world is depicted. I really want it to come true (laughs).

Perhaps the reason I'm shooting with drones now is because of this background.

Of course, I've always admired the LEICA M series.

I also want to try using LEICA lenses. SUMMICRON-M, SUMMILUX-M, APO-SUMMICRON M, and so on. Honestly, it's not about which one is better, but I just want to try one of them (laughs).

In any situation, I want to shoot on a clear morning. I like waking up at 5:30 in the morning to shoot. As for locations, I might like them all. I think the places I want to shoot are probably places I like.

I like shooting with drones, but I also like regular shooting. In Japan, it's quite challenging to fly drones, so sometimes it's better to shoot more casually.

There might be various things (laughs).

Recently, I saw someone on Twitter calling Japanese cityscapes 'Fake Japan'. Basically, it's about places like Asakusa, which are built for foreign tourists. From a Japanese perspective, there are landscapes that don't feel Japanese or lack Japanese essence. It's like a cityscape born from branding.

I feel a strong sense of discomfort with the idea of Japanese people imposing such perceptions on foreigners.

In my opinion, the charm of Japan lies more in natural landscapes, the cluttered scenery of Kabukicho, or the utility poles lining the streets. Apparently, utility poles have been around since the Taisho era. In Hideaki Anno's masterpiece 'Evangelion', utility poles are depicted, and I think that's where the Japanese essence lies. However, it seems there's a movement to bury all utility poles in Tokyo now.

So, in short, what I find uncool is 'Tokyo's attempt to bury utility poles' (laughs).

In terms of brands, I like adidas. I also buy vintage clothes influenced by friends.

Additionally, I advocate for the 'UNIQLO is the strongest' theory (laughs). I like UNIQLO's corporate philosophy of 'LifeWear'. I watched a video on the MB channel on YouTube titled 'UNIQLO's hoodie is amazing'. When you hang a washed hoodie, the hood part tends to dry slowly. However, UNIQLO's 'LifeWear' uses polyester instead of cotton inside the hood to prevent dampness. Hearing this made me really want to buy that hoodie (laughs).

Even in dark conditions, I always prioritize shutter speed. I'm okay with raising the ISO sensitivity if necessary. I dislike noise in photos, but as long as there's no blur, I can fix it with Photoshop if needed.

I like setting the f-number as low as possible to create a bokeh effect, but I still prioritize shutter speed.