Project Report : Osaka

Reviewing the photos taken thus far, the team discusses what they’ll shoot on their last day. As something that would represent the team’s interest in sports and high school students, as well as themes that have emerged from their photos, “heat,” “passion,” and “people,” they decide to take photos of club activities.

Off we go to watch club activities.

Some of the graduates of the Seifu Gakuen Senior High School have gone to compete in the Olympics. They were very receptive to our sudden request to photograph their activities.

A great shot by Paul, who also plays tennis. “His form is flawless. You can see the passion with which he’s trying to achieve something, the way he’s reaching towards the ball,” he says. Unfortunately, the photo didn’t make the final cut for the presentation due to a limit on the number of photos that could be included.

Thank you to everyone in the gymnastics club. The two FOJ participants from abroad are impressed with the discipline displayed by members of the club, in the way they quickly bring out chairs without being instructed to, or gather on cue from the coach.

The O-hatsu shrine in Umeda, in the midst of high-rise buildings.

Yukina-chan from Kogei High School’s photography club accompanied the team all day.

The last photo selection session in Osaka. “What did you feel when you took that photo?” “Are we able to communicate what we want to through this photo?” It is a fruitful session, with individual opinions slowly turning into a team consensus.

“It’s gotta be this one!” Printing out the first choice photos of all the team members, they moved on to narrowing down the photos to 25.

Preparation for the presentation continues well into the night. Towards the end, team members are half asleep. Good job!