[Un]Discovers: Hello Foto

As many of you in Toronto may have already known, Contact Photography Festival is currently happening all around Toronto and Hello Foto is one of the participants whom will be showcasing their works on the last week of May to conclude this festival. I am so honored I get the chance to ask them some questions and now it is time for you to get to know Vince and Hitoshi, the brains behind this group!

Hey Hitoshi and Vince, thanks for taking your time to answer my questions! So, how did you guys create this group?
With a mix of summer days, good friends, fun times, love for shooting, cold beers, creative freedom, and a drive to create amazing things with photography.

That sounds like a good way to form a group. I should consider using this method to get more members to write for my blog. What kind of photography does the group like to do?
We like to shoot whatever photo ideas we come up with. We are inspired by everything we see and whenever we see something that would make a good photo, we shoot it. Whether it be a single shot, or a series of shots, if we're inspired to shoot it, we will. We both have a personal love for travel photography. Experiencing new places tends to bring out a sense of creativity within.

I love travel too, just that I don't have a clue where I want to travel to take some great photos! Well, I will leave this job to you guys then (I will just enjoy my trip and I will look at your amazing photos). I know that you guys will have a group exhibit in May during the Contact month, can you give us some details about it? 
CONTACT BLURB - "Hello Foto presents work from five photographers documenting their personal journeys in different countries. Discovering connections within the cultural landscape, each photographer explores personal relationships with their cameras and images. The lines, colours and experiences captured serve to answer the question/statement, “WE ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS?” – ultimately leaving it up to the audience. After all, what does it mean to be a photographer?"

HITOSHI: We're going to have an exhibition at Sleeping Giant gallery starting May 22nd with a few other people. I will be presenting images of rural Japan. I think it's a side of that country a lot of people don't really see.

VINCE: I'm showcasing a series of images from my journey to india. The beauty of the people and culture, through the eyes of a stranger and a lens of a Voigtländer.

I am excited about your exhibition and with 5 people showcasing in the same place, I can see the unique style from each person. Currently, are you still looking for new talents to join your group? If so, what is the qualification?
We honestly haven't given it much thought. We definitely don't have any requirements... Well, maybe no racists. It would be great to have a collective of artists from different mediums working together, inspiring and encouraging each other to create new work.

Okay, I think I should send you my resume and become a member of your group. Before doing that, I would love to know this, what is the ultimate goal for this group? Are you planning to go global?
HITOSHI: I would like to continue doing something I love for as long as I can. If world domination is involved, I suppose I wouldn't complain.

VINCE: To inspire you to see beauty in all its forms. If going global allows us to connect with talented artists and photographers, then i say yay!

Global domination seems to be my cup of tea, I like that! If one of your photos becomes the cover of a magazine, which magazine do you want that to be and why?

VINCE: National Geographic!! The ultimate dream job. ULTIMATE.

HITOSHI: Damn! You took mine!

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You know now it is time to know their personal taste. Seems like each of them has a different taste in life and that creates sparks in the group!

Hawaii or Tokyo?
HITOSHI: Tokyo. It's more than just a city.
VINCE: India. I want to move there and be a rice farmer.

Sunny or Rainy Days?
HITOSHI: Sunny days.
VINCE: Sunny days.

Blue or Red?
HITOSHI: All black everything.
VINCE: Turqoise/Cyan. The Hello Foto Colour!

Pen or Pencil?
HITOSHI: Monami Plus Pens.
VINCE: Pencil

Cheerios or Rice Krispies?
HITOSHI: You can't make Cheerio squares... Can you?
VINCE: Congee. good old fashion chinese breakfast.

Sausage or Ham?
HITOSHI: Sausage. Especially the ones in McDonald breakfast sandwiches. I'm pretty sure the secret ingredient is feet or something, but they're still delicious.
VINCE: Watercress. I'm vegetarian.

Pokemon or Dragon Ball?
HITOSHI: Google 'Snorlax'. That's what's up.
VINCE: Dragon Ball!

Canon or Nikon?
HITOSHI: Canon. I'm used to the interface.
VINCE: Leica. But i cannot afford one yet, so Canon for now.

Nature or Portrait?
HITOSHI: Why not Both?
VINCE: Candids.

Prime Lens or Zoom Lens?
HITOSHI: Zoom. I'm too lazy to move.
VINCE: Prime.

This is such a great interview with Hitoshi and Vince and I am looking forward to see their exhibition on May 22. If you are in Toronto at that period, make sure you head to Sleeping Giant Gallery to see it. Thanks so much to Hitoshi and Vince for taking their valuable time to answer our questions! I wish him all the best in the future and please count me in for global domination! All photos are courtesy of Hello Foto.