This marks the final issue of my column. Thank you for letting me write freely.

Since 2025, thanks to the kindness of the principal, I have been able to freely photograph my hometown school, Kurigakuen High School in Yonezawa. In August, my photos were displayed alongside the students’ work at the school festival. It reminded me of my own high school days. Back then, I would put photos up on the walls for everyone to see. That was my first photo exhibition.

I’ve been interested in photography ever since I was fifteen — for half a century now. I probably don't have an overflowing talent for it. But I have a talent for enjoying it. Taking photos, looking at them and showing them is still endlessly fascinating to me.

In my twenties, I envied others’ talent. Wherever I looked, I saw incredibly talented people. I thought I had absolutely no strengths. Attempting to change this only caused me to get into trouble. There were times when I would hide under the covers, unable to leave the house.

Even so, I never forgot about photography for a single day. More accurately, I had no choice. I had to live in the world of photography. Fortunately, I met wonderful people who accepted me as I was.

I was fortunate to have kind people around me. Despite my lack of experience, they said, “Well, give it a try,” and gave me work. I spent ¥50,000 on a ¥30,000 job and ¥100,000 on a ¥50,000 job, trying desperately to meet their expectations. The result? My debt spiralled out of control and I found myself unable to make ends meet. It was awful. I truly understood the meaning of the Japanese saying, “No money is like having no head.”

I even had to go to a consumer lender to borrow money because I couldn't afford to develop film that I'd shot for work. I was in a real bind. That’s when I got married. How did we meet? I had messed up a shoot (nothing had come out on the film) and went to apologize to the editor-in-chief. The person who served me tea was the editor who would later become my wife. So, when we met, I was in an absolutely terrible situation—no money, no credit, nothing.

Far from smooth sailing, my life has been one storm after another. Yet, as if there were a script, someone always showed up to help me each time. Looking back now, I realize how incredibly lucky I am. The greatest stroke of luck of all was discovering photography in high school.

As I was thinking this, I came across something on the RICOH GR IV website featuring Daido Moriyama's work:

“I think from the bottom of my heart ‘I'm glad I have a camera’ or ‘I’m glad I photograph.’”

I am also so glad I discovered photography.

　

　
Satoru Watanabe
Born in 1961 in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Photography, Watanabe joined Nikkan Sports Newspaper, where he gained experience in sports and news photography. After leaving the company, he founded Studio Monochrome. He has been working as a freelance photographer, mainly in the field of portraiture, and has been holding workshops since 2003. Recently he is known as the creator of Youtube "2B Channel". Winner of the 33rd "The Society of Photography Award" Special Prize. He is currently an adjunct professor at Keio University Graduate School. His recent books include "Toru chikara miru chikara (Power of Shooting and Power of Looking)" (Hobby Japan).
Satoru Watanabe@watanabesatoru2b