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"At my 'Blue' exhibition, a little girl surprised me when she said the photos looked just like the inside of her mother's tummy."
One theme I've been working on recently is how we can learn from the worldview of native peoples, and apply that knowledge as we interact with an environment that is increasingly under threat.
To that end, I've joined the board of a non-profit organization called the Oceanic Wildlife Society (OWS), which focuses on the symbiotic relationship between humankind and nature. Through the end of July, the OWS is sponsoring a photo exhibition by five photographers entitled, "The Ocean We'd Like to Leave for the Future." and from August 1, we're planning another five-man show, this time in cooperation with the World Wide Fund for Nature, that will feature images of the Ryukyu Islands.
I love the color blue because for me it somehow symbolizes the mystery of nature. I once held an exhibition in which all of the photos were predominantly blue in color. At the show, a little girl surprised me when she said the photos "look just like the inside of mummy's tummy." She was only about three years old and must still have had some memories of when she was in her mother's womb. Like a mother, the ocean is also a source of life, and indeed is often referred to as "Mother Ocean." It could be that I'm fascinated by the color blue because I unconsciously feel at peace when I'm surrounded by a color that nurtures life.
In connection with this, I like the Olympus E-system because it can capture exceptionally vivid blue tones even when shooting underwater. In fact, even if you include compact cameras, Olympus is the only brand of digital camera I've ever used. I'm particularly fond of the unique features Olympus offers, such as the Live View they introduced on the E-330. It can be used underwater, and has enabled me to get some really interesting shots. The E-410 is great fun too, and delivers outstanding SLR quality with the ease of a compact digital camera.
For me, photography is an invaluable tool for personal exploration, one that satisfies my desire to express and communicate ideas that instill empathy and compassion in others. I'm determined to continue taking photographs, mainly underwater, focusing on the theme of the mystery of nature and its relationship with living creatures around the world.
Editor's Note
Having a passionate spirit of inquiry, Junji Takasago says he feels sympathetic towards native peoples and their spiritual lifestyles and ways of thinking. His work also gave him the chance to meet the legendary diver Jacques Mayol, who was the model for the main protagonist in the movie "Le Grand Bleu", and to witness the elusive night rainbow on several occasions. Interviewing him, I sensed a kind of power that attracts good fortune, something that only those blessed by "the ultimate happiness" can possess.
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