When I was 8 years old, I found an old tattered photo magazine with photographs of the Vietnam War on my father's bookshelf. I was very scared at the sight of the dead bodies and the war field, however, I was not able to take my eyes off those photographs. At the same time, I discovered my interest in the single-lens reflex camera which my older brother had.
Years later, I went to Cambodia several times and saw the people who had to live in the severe environment. Once when I asked a boy there whether it was dangerous, he smiled and said “it's absolutely not dangerous, and that’s why you came here”. His words and smile touched my heart deeply and I heard myself say “A country with Cambodia's past rarely becomes the peaceful place it is now that so many people want to come visit".
It is true that Cambodia is still relatively poor, but the people there are full of hope and continue to be strong under various difficult conditions. I see their passion, perseverance, and vitality. I was comforted and touched by their artless smiles. I want so much to tell others about what I saw and felt through my photographs in addition to report the tragedies happening throughout the world.
This year I attended the one-year program at ICP, and I know well what I want to tell with my photo stories. My subjects are human beings who have to live through war and after war. My interest in war and how it affects people was stayed unwavering. On the other hand, I want to follow sensitive social issues of the modern society. The experience that I had while studying photojournalism for one year taught me that the stories to tell are all around us. I keep following several stories on Cambodia. I want to show what others cannot go and see.
Shigeru Hirai
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