Yesterday I published my first real photography project, Isolation in Fukue. This is just a short post so there are some words to go along with it.
Isolation in Fukue
The project came about through frustration, frustration from not being near a city to do the street photography that I love. But instead of letting that frustration get the better of me, I turned it around and focused my energy on photographing where I was. I live in Fukue, one of the Goto Islands off the coast of the Nagasaki Prefecture in southern Japan. It is an island, where not many people live, and as time moves forward, less and less people are staying.
It is a shame because the island is a beautiful island, with fantastic beaches and beautiful mountains and scenery, but there is not enough to do to entice people to stay. Because of this there are many desolate looking places. Most of the images you will see of Fukue are the beautiful beaches, the famous Tsubaki flower, and the famous churches, and it was for this reason that I wanted to go against the grain and photograph the lack of people, the desolate buildings, and how animals seem to have taken over. I wanted to create the sense of isolation I felt not being in a busy area (or at least somewhere with reasonable access to a busy area) through my photography. By shooting in black and white I hoped to capture this.
I hope you enjoy the project. You can find it on my website here.
I really liked your shots in this selection. I especially enjoyed looking at the incredibly different scenery! Many small towns and areas in Hokkaido are becoming less and less populated too, and though my current city is more populated than your area, most of the shops in front of the station are bordered up with shutters. I would still like to visit one day if I can
I’m glad you liked the photos
I can imagine it’s similar in your area, but I’m surprised to hear that even in a city it’s boarded up around the station? How big is your city?
You should totally come down. I wont be here much longer!!