KAZUMA OBARA

Kazuma Obara is a frontline photographer that quit his finance job to document what was happening in his hometown after the earthquake.

Although the photos aren't a pretty sight, it is extremely heartwarming to see people coming together to help out. There is also a feeling of peace and emptiness after the earthquake. Looking at these photos, one cannot help but imagine how the place was like before the earthquake. Classrooms, homes, buildings....all just gone like that.

One particular photo that stoof out the most is the one with the Japanese flag planted on the mess on the ground. It has many meanings but to me, it kind of signifies that Japan is still standing up from this mess and the Japanese will come together to help each other get out of this situation. Or, it could also signify "Japan has fallen".... I'm not too sure.

These photos remind me of the movie, Himizu, which also shows Japan after the earthquake. Such photos really remind me to be grateful for what I have, but they also show me a different side of photography that I hardly open myself to.