Today, viewing photographs on digital media has become second nature. While we can browse countless images with a single tap, we may have fewer opportunities to slow down and truly appreciate each one. Yet, through conversations with photographers, we were reminded that every photograph has a story and a personal journey behind it. Some capture moments achieved after overcoming significant challenges, while others preserve extraordinary, almost miraculous instants.

With the hope of giving visitors the opportunity to take their time and fully appreciate each photograph, including the stories behind it, we developed the exhibits for the Komori booth around this concept.

The Komori booth, featuring photographs printed on selected paper stocks to bring out the unique qualities of each work.

This year, we took advantage of the capabilities of the J-throne 29 UV inkjet digital printing press to print photographs on a wide variety of media, including glossy and matte paper, Japanese washi paper, VENT NOUVEAU fine paper, and translucent sheet that allows light to pass through, and canvas. Visitors experienced firsthand how dramatically the impression of the same photograph can change depending on the paper selected.

Once again, the "illuminated photographs" printed on translucent sheet attracted considerable attention. Backlighting from behind enhanced the vivid colors and luminous quality, creating a striking visual effect. Many visitors expressed interest, asking how the effect was achieved and saying they would like to try it with their own work. Photographs printed on Japanese washi paper were also well received, with visitors appreciating the paper's soft texture and the delicate fibers that become visible when viewed up close, creating an expression unique to this traditional Japanese washi paper.

To further expand the ways people can enjoy photography, we collaborated with photographers, printing companies, and manufacturers on a range of initiatives, including creating photographic works at the Komori showroom and hosting talk sessions at the booth.

"The Goal Is to Print My Work and Share It with Others" - Self-Portrait Photographer, Rinaty

Ahead of the exhibition, Komori welcomed Rinaty to our showroom, the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC), where she developed her work by testing a total of 80 combinations of photographs and paper stocks. Two carefully selected works, "Standing Alone" and "Strata of Me," were exhibited at the venue.

With the theme of "self-portraits that help me learn to love myself," Rinaty travels to locations carrying her own equipment and takes photographs entirely on her own. Her distinctive approach to photography has attracted attention from a wide audience, and on the day of her talk session, a large number of her fans gathered at the Komori booth.

Reflecting on her experience creating prints at KGC, Rinaty shared her thoughts:
"I believe a work is complete when it is printed and people get to see it. My goal is not simply to preserve my work digitally, but to express it on paper and share it with others. Glossy paper and matte paper each create a completely different impression. By choosing the right paper, I can convey the scene I most want people to experience. I realized just how fascinating paper can be."

At the end of each talk session, a Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament was held, giving participants the chance to win an original photo book. Each session ended on a high note, with original artwork stickers also presented to those who did not win.

▶Learn more about the creative process behind the works created with Rinaty from following interview.

Left within the photo: For Strata of Me, which reflects Rinaty's belief that "a self-portrait is like a personal life history," Japanese washi paper was selected. She said she had not expected the paper to complement the atmosphere of the work until she saw it printed.
Right within the photo: Standing Alone, one of Rinaty's signature works that has been exhibited many times, was illuminated with backlighting for this exhibition.

Left: Rinaty's talk session.
Right: The Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament was a big hit. After the session, Rinaty personally signed autographs for each attendee.

Bringing Each Artist's Vision to Life - Toshio Osawa from Sakuhina Koubou

The second talk session featured Toshio Osawa from Sakuhina Koubou, who works as a "print concierge," supporting photographers in bringing their creative visions to life. Since speaking at last year's event, he has received numerous inquiries about "glowing photographs." This year, he worked on two pieces: The Crimson Path by chucky and Naomi-nu, and Shore ice by Sorakimi. He shared behind-the-scenes stories about the production process.

Osawa: "We started our print consultation service at Sakuhina Koubou in response to people who are passionate about creating their own work but don't know where to turn or how to get started. We help photographers and artists bring their work to life. Glowing photographs are also a project we began working on after chucky approached us for advice."

Osawa has been working with chucky, whom he calls "the originator of glowing photographs," for about a year.
"Creating works designed to be illuminated from behind presents unique challenges, including adjusting color saturation and working with materials other than ordinary paper. Initially, we struggled to reproduce the shadow areas, but over time, we developed a way to clearly distinguish and express both highlights and shadows."

In August 2026, chucky held HIKARUE, an exhibition of glowing photographs, in Aichi prefecture. chucky says the number of participants continues to grow and the exhibition has received an enthusiastic response.

"Alongside questions like 'Where and how did you take these photos?', we started getting more questions about how the works themselves were made. It was refreshing to see people take an interest not only in the photographs but also in the creative process behind them."

The next exhibition has already been scheduled for next year. chucky is also taking on new challenges, with plans to expand into art prints.

Sorakimi, who discovered glowing photographs through HIKARUE exhibition, said:
"When light hits this work, the rainbow colors appear beautifully, but achieving this effect is quite difficult. I don't think it would have been possible without Osawa. At first, I wondered what it meant to make a landscape glow, but I'll never forget how moved I was when I saw the finished piece. My own work was literally shining. I hope everyone will have the chance to experience this for themselves."

Osawa spoke passionately about the technology behind the works:
"I believe these pieces are possible precisely because of Komori's printing technology, specifically the Impremia IS29. Komori's high-precision printing technology, also used for printing banknotes, enables us to reproduce even the texture and translucency of fabric in small prints, such as business cards. Every photographer has their own unique vision and attention to detail, and I want to continue refining our techniques to reproduce those qualities as faithfully as possible. My goal is to become a printing company whose clients look at the finished work and say, 'This is amazing!'"

Left: Toshio Osawa from Sakuhina Koubou. "I want to be a printer who can faithfully reproduce everyone's unique vision and create work that makes them say, 'This is amazing!'"
Right: chucky, Naomi-nu, and Sorakimi, who repeatedly conducted test prints to achieve the results they were fully satisfied with.

Expanding the Experience of Art Through Printing and Bookbinding - Kagurazaka HAKKEN Lab.

As part of our collaboration with printing companies, we were pleased to work with Kagurazaka HAKKEN Lab., a creative lab where visitors can freely explore innovative print embellishment techniques made possible by the latest printing and foil printing technologies.

This year, we showcased Shonan no Kaze (Breezes of Shonan), a large-format photo book by photographer Norimoto Ichikawa, for the first time. HAKKEN Lab.'s large-format photo books combine high-resolution printing using Komori's inkjet digital printing press with specialized binding techniques that allow the book to open completely flat. Featuring B1-size double-page spreads, the book made a striking impression at the venue, drawing many visitors to stop and admire the work.

HAKKEN Lab. also produced A4-size editions of this year's collection of works exhibited at the Komori booth and a photo book by Rinaty. The high-quality, beautiful prints and sophisticated binding techniques received numerous compliments from visitors.

Contact Kagurazaka HAKKEN Lab. (Only Japanese)：https://teket.jp/g/gajnyngyi3

The large-format B2 photo book opens completely flat, creating a striking visual impact. A large-format photo book featuring images captured with OM SYSTEM cameras was also exhibited at the OM SYSTEM booth.

Pursuing Photographic Expression Together, from Capture to Print - OM Digital Solutions Corporation

Continuing from last year, we once again supported the printing of works displayed at the booth of OM Digital Solutions Corporation, which develops the OM SYSTEM brand of mirrorless cameras.

OM Digital Solutions and photographer Kousa Kobayashi were present during printing on the J-throne 29 inkjet digital printing press. Together, we selected the appropriate paper and fine-tuned the print settings to faithfully reproduce the colors of works captured with OM SYSTEM cameras.

We also held a special discussion exploring photography and print from the respective perspectives of a photographer, a camera manufacturer, and a printing press manufacturer. The discussion is now available on Komori's official YouTube channel. The article will also be published on ON PRESS Web later.

Works at the OM SYSTEM booth, printed on the J-throne 29.

Works by OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Uchiyama Emiri and Chida Tomoyasu were also displayed at the Komori booth.

As a Partner in Expanding the Possibilities of Photography

Despite the approaching typhoon, the Tokyo Camera Club 2026 Photo Exhibition welcomed more than 18,000 visitors in total. The Komori booth also attracted more visitors than ever before.

Through our participation in this year's exhibition, we hope we were able to share the attraction and excitement of print with everyone who visited us.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed their works, all those who submitted entries, the Tokyo Camera Club staff, and everyone who visited the exhibition.

Komori will continue to create inspiring experiences through print technology.

◆Contributors of Works Displayed at the Komori Booth
・Kazutoshi Ono
・Kyogo Sekimoto
・Shigatsu
・Takashi Suzuki
・Sorakimi
・Tomoyasu Chida (@chikkun_photo）
・chucky
・Yuki Hidaka
・Marutabi Fufu no Kyuka
・Naoya Yoshida
・Emiri Uchiyama　@_____mimosa.619_____
・HIKO
・Kikuo Fujita
・Rinaty
・SAI-touchan
・Satoshi Inoue
・tosh_photograph
・John Zenner
・Y.Miyazaki

■ Exhibition Overview (Event Concluded)
Tokyo Camera Club 2026 Photo Exhibition "Our World Opens."
Dates: September 19 (Sat.)-22 (Tue./National Holiday), 2026
Hours: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
The exhibition closed at 5:00 p.m. on the first day and at 6:30 p.m. on the final day.
Venue: Hikarie Hall A & B, 9F, Shibuya Hikarie

Related link (Japanese only): https://tokyocameraclub.com/special/exhibition_2026/

■Tokyo Camera Club
Tokyo Camera Club is one of Japan's largest social media photography communities, with over 5.76 million followers across its platforms. With more than 77 million photos submitted to date, it provides creators around the world with an open platform to showcase their work. The community is known not only for the volume of submissions but also for the high quality of photographs. It operates on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and X, making it easy for anyone to join for free.