Motion Blur and Lonely Impressions

Photographs by Kosuke Saito

Portrait photographer Kosuke Saito talks about his love of making analog prints and turning the images in his head into reality.

Tokyo, Japan

What is your history with photography? How did you start shooting?

I started photography about 3 years ago. When I started, I often took pictures of my girlfriend. And then I became interested in taking pictures of other people.

How would you describe your type of photography?

I consider myself a portrait photographer and take pictures with a film camera. I like the motion blur style and using strobes and small monoblocks in my photographs. Motion blur is easier to shoot with digital, but I don't like it because it's too clear.

Some people may find it crazy to take a challenging photo on a film because it is so costly and you don't know the results. But it doesn’t matter; I love film photography.

I also like taking pictures of landscapes and models with a lonely impression.

Why is photography important to you?

In an increasingly digital society, I feel it calming to touch analog machines. It's also an opportunity for me to have common conversations with my friends.

To change the image in your head into a shape; It's more fun for me than anything else.

What is next for you?

Making beautiful analog prints in the darkroom. Sadly, I now rely on digital scanning. I always want to be a photographer. To get someone to buy my work. I would like to work in fashion. Team up with stylists and makeup artists. And making a work is very exciting. I pursue artistic and cool works.