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In my childhood, my father's being in photography naturally
drew me into the photographic world. At the time when only
Black & White photographs are available, I learned various
techniques and sensitivities using a manual RF (Range Finder)
camera, which I believe was a Minolta, my father had and enjoyed
doing what he thought I could do in his dark room. My life
with photography since then, after having been living in the
U.S. for about 24 years in the Rocky Mountain Region, with
an opportunity to think about health and environment, I feel
that I finally found a place in which my sensitivity should
settle. It was the Great Sand Dunes in the Rockies Mountains
(by the Sangre De Christo Mountains) and the harsh but energetic
ecosystem that stimulated my energy which seemed to have been
waiting for its sprouting time somewhere inside of me.
It is the Great Mother Nature that I have started to photograph
as if I were drawn in. How much can I capture and express
any from her by photographing? Also, how much does she attract
me and tickle my sensitivity? With such questions in me, when
I throw myself in the bosom of Nature with respect and fear,
she always talks to me and shows something. It is my pleasure
to seek for a beauty given by releasing myself into the greatness
of which always allows those who visit to feel.
Many kinds of sounds. They can be heard from out of nowhere
when I walk on the earth where I do not see any other men
around. Are they from Coyotes watching me in the bushes on
the sand sheet area with caution and curiosity, or shining
eyes of deer that I think I feel? Or from moving plants and
branches of trees, moving air or changing temperature I feel
on my skin, or occasional sands brown in the air hitting hard
on me? Rain or snow that comes down from the sky without any
mercy, and even thunder lightening that hit ground shaking
the earth talk to me as if they emphasize their existences.
Through photography, I would happy if I could show the beauty
of Nature I feel to as many people as possible.
Kiyomichi Koike
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