During the special fan- and press meeting with ADAMS in Düsseldorf on March 26 I met the photographer Ryota Sakai, in the Japanese music world he is known for his work with ADAMS. But maybe not known enough. I got to sit down with him and the translator Shota (from ADAMS, HIGHFeeL) and Aurélie (HIGHFeeL) to talk about himself and his work.
AVO Blog: Can you tell me something about yourself?
Ryota: My name is Ryota Sakai from Japan, 34 years old. I live in Tokyo and I am a photographer.
AVO Blog: When did you decide to do something with photography?
Ryota: When I was young I made photo cards, then I chose to do a study of photography at university in Fukuoka.
AVO Blog: So originally you are from Fukuoka. When did you decided to move to Tokyo?
Ryota: After I finished my study in Fukuoka.
AVO Blog: How did you met ADAMS?
Ryota: I met Shota five years ago, in 2010. He saw my work that I made.
Shota: It was more like “Hello, nice to meet you and bye”. I met him again and then I asked him if he wanted to make pictures from my projects, musical projects. He said “Yes”. I worked with him two or three times. When I started with ADAMS with ADAM I asked Ryota again. I explained him about ADAMS and about the concept. I asked him if he could take pictures.
AVO Blog: Why did you decided to work together with ADAM and Shota?
Ryota: Why? It was exciting, because of the concept, style and humanity.
AVO Blog: Before you started to work together with ADAMS, have you been working together with other artists?
Ryota: No, but I want to.
AVO Blog: Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Ryota: The inspiration comes from above. If someone says “I want this”, I make this. First I think about the concept, but for example at a live show I see one person walking to another and something is happening. I make the picture and that is continuous.
My favorite photographer is my teacher, Koichi Inakoshi. After university I went to Tokyo. I walked in an office of a photographer and asked if I could get taught and get experience. And that was this person.
AVO Blog: What is your favorite subject to photograph?
Ryota: Humans. That is in all sorts from portraits to liveshow pictures. It doesn’t matter if it is a famous actor or someone on the street.
AVO Blog: What is your favorite picture of ADAMS?
Ryota: That are the pictures that are made for LOVE ME. (photo set)
AVO Blog: What do you want to achieve in photography? Do you have a dream?
Ryota: I don’t have a dream.
AVO Blog: Really? That surprises me.
Shota: He is already a super big photographer, he made a lot of pictures already!
Ryota: I want to make great pictures and after that I want to make better pictures and after that.. better better better. So if I make a picture today, this picture is the best. But tomorrow I will make a new picture and then this one is the best of all the pictures I made. I want to make more more more pictures, and get better pictures.
AVO Blog: You have a big career in the documentary and tv world, but also photography. Shota emphasized it in the previous question. Can you share something from your career before ADAMS?
Ryota: I had the chance to photograph Sophia Loren for a magazine. I only had 2 shots to make, nothing more. It was one, two and then it was finished!
AVO Blog: So it had to be shot 1, shot 2 and then it must be perfect?
Shota: Usually he can make perfect pictures with 2 shots. It is amazing! We need maybe 20 pictures to have one good picture.
AVO Blog: There has been exhibitions of your work (of ADAMS) in Europa. Are you planning an exhibition in Japan?
Ryota: Not yet. But I want to show my life work in an exhibition if I can.
AVO Blog: Do you have an advice for the people who want to start with photography or already working with photography?
Ryota: Try to change and get the best of yourself. Move forward, be patient and be open minded. And make more more more pictures.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK28INwGS00]
I want to thank Ryota Sakai for the time to have an interview, Shota for translating, Aurélie for the extra help and of course Shota and Aurélie for the opportunity to have this interview. And I thank Olga Kolisoglou (OlgitosK) for her permission to use the pictures. If you want to find out more of Ryota’s work, please check hisofficial website and keep an eye on the official website of ADAMS.
