Gion Shirakawa in September

“京都に、祇園白川があって良かった!”

モノトーンの写真には、独特の魅力があります。それは色彩がないからこそ、より深く本質に迫る力を持っているように感じます。色彩の華やかさや多様さに頼らず、光と影のコントラストや質感、形そのものを際立たせるのがモノトーンの写真の特徴です。このシンプルさこそが、静けさや奥行きを生み、被写体の内面や雰囲気を引き出すのです。

また、モノトーンはノスタルジックな感覚も喚起します。フィルム写真の時代を思い起こさせるその質感や雰囲気は、見る者の心に懐かしさや時間の流れを感じさせます。同時に、時代や場所を超越した普遍的な美しさを持っており、時に過去から未来へと続く時間の中に位置づけられたかのような感覚を与えます。

‘Thank goodness Kyoto has the Gion Shirakawa !’

Monotone photography has a unique charm. It is precisely because there is no colour in them that they seem to have the power to get to the heart of the matter more deeply. Instead of relying on the glamour and variety of colours, monotone photography highlights the contrasts of light and shadow, texture and form itself. It is this simplicity that creates stillness and depth and brings out the inner life and atmosphere of the subject.

Monotone also evokes a sense of nostalgia. Its textures and atmosphere, which recall the days of film photography, evoke a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time in the viewer’s mind. At the same time, it has a universal beauty that transcends time and place, sometimes giving the viewer the feeling of being positioned in time, from the past to the future.

photo equipment : K-1 Mark II + PENTAX-FA 77mmF1.8 Limited

Motoyasu Matsutani, Kyoto-based Photographer livening up the Osaka-Kansai Expo

As the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 approaches, neighboring Kyoto is buzzing with anticipation, preparing to leverage its rich cultural heritage and timeless beauty in support of this momentous event. The city eagerly awaits the economic benefits that will ripple through various industries, recognizing its pivotal role in the Expo's success.
As a photographer, I am dedicated to capturing Kyoto's vibrant spirit and unique charm during this historic period. Through my lens, I aim to document not just the city's scenic beauty, but also its dynamic energy as it engages with the global spotlight of the Expo, contributing to both its immediate impact and enduring legacy.
Kyoto continues to evolve as a premier destination, with endless possibilities in tourism development, luxury market expansion, and innovative branding strategies.

Motoyasu Matsutani, Photographer

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