Insomnia
Insomnia - a sleepless state that drains out intrinsic goals and hopes to leave one wondering in a chase after their personality. The thin line between sleep and awakeness becomes available for exploration opening the door to new understandings. The story was shot in Tokyo when the shadow of the recent lockdown was left behind.
The imposed loneliness eventually leads to unexpected realizations of the self, while a possibility to integrate back into society becomes a leitmotif for the narrative. The aesthetic of old photographs offers an experience of going back to the future rediscovering memories of the photoshoot and the feeling of post-insomnia episode.
The team elaborates on symptoms that appeared as a cause of the lockdown, like insomnia and fear, representing the new reality to adjust to. We discuss the technical aspects of the shoot, the decision to use polaroids to create a dreamy effect, burning some of the images, as Hiroki explains, “I also love the chemical reaction of the negative (of the peel-apart) Polaroid.” Through styling decisions, hair and makeup, and the state the model presents, the thin line between reality and a dream is created, and the story cogently pushes the viewer to encounter the feeling of insomnia through the visuals.
Photographer Hiroki Nagahiro Style Dominika Szmid Hair Keita Higashi MUA Tomomi Kawano Talent Anastasia Gorshenina at Model Directors
‘After staying for such a long time in a small apartment, you just lose count of the days and time, it doesn't matter if it's day or night. Some people have a tendency to go too deep into themselves once they are alone. I wanted to build an image of these mental states.’
— Dominika Szmid
What is the main idea behind the story? How did you prepare for the shoot?
Dominika: First, we decided on a model. We all felt she had a unique vibe, and we all felt that we really would like to shoot her. At the same time, Tokyo and, I think, the whole world was getting back to a normal pace after slowing down because of the situation with COVID. So staying at home for such a long time builds new feelings in people, some kind of fear even, and insomnia can appear as a symptom.
I think it was a big shock, especially in Japan, since so many people work long hours, and are usually at work, meeting with friends, etc. Tokyo is huge, so usually you go out early in the morning and come back in the late evening. The recent atmosphere influenced work strongly. After staying for such a long time in a small apartment, you just lose count of the days and time, it doesn't matter if it's day or night. Some people have a tendency to go too deep into themselves once they are alone. I wanted to build an image of these mental states.
‘Vintage polaroids are always unpredictable. It might happen that the color changes because of the chemical reaction from humidity, temperature, etc. I sometimes use light leaks as well.’
— Hiroki Nagahiro
How does the way you interpret the state of insomnia affect the chosen medium to present it visually?
Hiroki: I wanted to share the uncontrollableness/dreaminess using old polaroids. It's not just about keeping records of what I witnessed. It has a unique character compared to digital cameras. Vintage polaroids are always unpredictable. It might happen that the color changes because of the chemical reaction from humidity, temperature, etc. I sometimes use light leaks as well. Faded color images have something nostalgic that feelings cannot explain. It's like for sure it's there, but it's not clear. One cannot see it but can feel it.
‘I wish I could express the natural unnaturalness of someone who has insomnia but is not myself. To feel unconscious strength and fear.’
— Tomomi Kawano
Styling, makeup, and hair design are some of the most prominent elements which compose the image and add a relation to the state of insomnia. Walk us through some of the decisions and work with the team on that.
Tomomi: I wish I could express the natural unnaturalness of someone who has insomnia but is not myself. To feel unconscious strength and fear, I was conscious of the makeup that expresses 'symptoms' that are different from normal, beautiful makeup. I love how this concept goes well with the movement and expression of the model.
‘I also love the chemical reaction of the negative (of the peel-apart) Polaroid. It was something to me, so I decided to use that image and inverted its colors.’
— Hiroki Nagahiro
Tell about the decision during the post-production of the images, which has to do with the technical aspects of reaching bleak and inverted colors.
Hiroki: I wanted some elements in the pictures to leave a stronger impression. I decided to burn some of the polaroids, and it turned out how I envisioned it.
I also love the chemical reaction of the negative (of the peel-apart) Polaroid. It was something to me, so I decided to use that image and inverted its colors. It all worked together with the concept - insomnia. To be honest, I ruined a couple of pictures during the process…
‘When we finished shooting and looked at the pictures, we realized that our plan was correct. I was very satisfied with the photo showing the individuality of each team member.’
— Keita Higashi
What is the most memorable moment or episode from the shooting day or the preparation for it?
Keita: It was an amazing shooting and a great experience for us. Hiroki, the photographer, used several valuable classic cameras, and he took old-fashion photos. We actually really wanted to shoot with Anastasia as we thought her dark, mannish character would look great on camera. When we finished shooting and looked at the pictures, we realized that our plan was correct. I was very satisfied with the photo showing the individuality of each team member.
