World Lighting Journey
Chief Interview
2020.04.23 Yuichi Anzai
―During the year 2020, we posted lightscapes from various places around the world. Among these posts, the most viewed images were the facade lighting of the Museu do Amanhã in Rio De Janeiro, street lighting along London’s Regent Street, and light on the horizon of Morocco`s the Sahara Desert. Mr. Mende, what do you think about these results?
the Museu do Amanhã in Rio De Janeiro
London’s Regent Street
the Sahara Desert
Mende：Last year, I requested posts of not just pretty lightscapes, but also problematic lightscapes. Maybe it’s not everyone`s forte to take pictures like this. However, all around us, there are incidences of light happening. Posts of these villains might not attract much attention, but they are necessary to better understand the incidences of light that are happening near us, not just picturesque scenes. These images of people enjoying different colored luminous floor panels didn’t get many responses, but I find it intriguing.
―These images are of a light show in Shenzhen, China, taken during the 2019 Transnational Lighting Detective Forum.
Mende：It is interesting to see the people experiencing light waving between joy and despair. There are many images that didn’t register many reactions but are still very interesting. Some closeups that show facial expressions would better reveal the interaction between people and light more so than wide-angle images. Not only macro lightscapes, or nightscapes take at a wide-angle, but also micro lightscapes or closeups of facial expressions, shadowing, details, etc. are also very important. I also find this picture of various lamps reflecting off walls on the streets of Morocco very interesting. I think images of a street corner of Morocco get me more excited than any picturesque landscape.
―Speaking of familiar lightscapes, we have received images of changed cityscapes since the declaration of the state of emergency by some Lighting Detective members. What do you think about adding these to the World Lighting Journey?
Mende：If it is just pictures of store closures, I don’t think it is that interesting. If the images have a meaning from a standpoint of lighting, maybe. But if they are just pictures of darkened streets, this is no different than the news media.
―In Shinjuku, because of store closures, side streets are dark and scary, with people avoiding them, according to the media.
Mende：So storefronts took on the role of lanterns and street lighting. If it comes down to safety, during the state of emergency maybe specific stores should leave their lights on or in places where people feel particularly uneasy. If this is the case, people should speak up.
―Maybe so. This is the third declaration of a state of emergency. It might be interesting to survey specific places to compare before, during, and after-effects of the state of emergency on lighting.
Mende：Last year, we posted mostly images of nightscapes. There were not many pictures of daylight. Not only artificial lighting, but it might be nice to see more natural light, sunlight, or moonlight. Right now, I am in the middle of some personal research about the fire. It is an uphill battle to photograph fire. I would love to see beautifully photographed pictures of fire and all of its expressions. Fire is a longstanding theme on my wish list, but I would also like to recruit more submissions with natural light. When posting on FB is there a comment added from the photographer? In the sunrise series, there are comments from the lighting detective member that took the picture.
―Some images submitted to FB come with comments, but for those submitted without comments, FB staff will add a comment or some feedback.
Mende：For the World Lighting Journey, I think the Lighting Detective member that took the picture should include their impression of the light or story surrounding the picture.
―Yes, for example, I thought Hatori from Singapore added a very interesting comment. “The air conditioning inside Singapore buses is very cold, however, looking at tail lights through condensation on the windows is colorful!” This is a unique lightscape, not seen in Japan. I found it interesting.
Mende：Yes, this member`s discovery, point of view, the quotation should be posted on FB. It could receive some interesting feedback.
―Yes, this member`s discovery, point of view, quotation should be posted on FB. It could receive some interesting feedback.
Mende： I don`t think the world is really interested in the kind of pictures I take. I don`t take picturesque photos, but more images of the lighting I want to critique. Once in a while, I will take an incredibly beautiful shot, though.
― It might be interesting to see images taken from a different point of view. You are alway welcome to submit a photo if you happen to have something you want to share or feedback on other material from members. Thank you for our talk today.
