"VP taught me to take real-life photos differently" - AkiraAoyama

For AkiraAoyama, our virtual photographer for the month of July, VP is a hobby that runs so much deeper. From writing about PS2 during A-levels, to learning about photo composition, playing favourites over and over again, and living by a game character’s rules, Akira takes VP and gaming very seriously. And we love it! Her obvious passion and love for games and the world surrounding them made this conversation one that we will come back to many times. There were so many gems dropped in this conversation, and we hope you take away one or two!

Enjoy!

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Hi! What is your earliest memory of virtual photography and gaming?

I would like to thank you and the members at Picashot for choosing me this month. I have been happy ever since I received your message.

My earliest memory in gaming is when I first played Tomb Raider. At the time, a friend of mine had a PS1 and had this game. I tried it but got scared of the tiger and simply quit the game. Years later, I rediscovered Lara Croft as a friend lent me TR II, and ever since, Lara Croft has been my favourite character and an idol I look up to as I grew up. I learned English because of her! And still today, I do not smoke and drink because young me thought “Oh Lara doesn’t drink or smoke so I won’t!”

Awww…

For virtual photography, I took a picture with my phone of my screen on Assassin’s Creed Liberation. But when the PlayStation 4 offered the “Screenshot” ability, that is when I started taking pictures. I did this with the game interface and all before I learned to take them off. Dishonoured, Destiny 2, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst…I still have them on an external hard drive to save all of them.

What does AkiraAoyama mean?

Aoyama in Japanese means “Blue Mountain.” The kanji for Akira means “bright,” “clear”, but it is a nickname I picked when I was in high school. At the time, with my friends, we discovered manga and Japanese culture, so we decided to pick a Japanese name.

I used another one at first, but after some time changed to Akira. I liked the sound of it. It is also the name of a character I liked in a manga, and the same goes for Aoyama. I could not go with “LCJ” for gaming, so I used AkiraAoyama for gaming back then and never changed.

What platform do you usually play on—and why?

I play more on PlayStation today. My first game, Tomb Raider, was on PC, but I play on PlayStation. The story behind it goes back to my high school years. I always wanted to have a gaming platform when I was younger. But my parents always said no. So, I played mostly at my cousin’s place.

For my A-level, as it was specialised in trading, we had to write a report on a product, explaining the company’s marketing, packaging and so on. I did it on the Sony PlayStation 2. A few months before the exam in front of the jury, I told my parents it would be better if I had the PS2 so that when I am explaining the product, the jury could open the card box, touch the “product”, and see what I was explaining in my report. That is how I was able to get my first PlayStation before the results of the exams.

That’s smart…

Yes. I really liked learning about their different campaigns and how the PS came to life. Since that time, I have played on this platform and really like how the PlayStation has evolved with its exclusive games.

Do you remember the first photo you ever posted publicly? What photo was it?

The first virtual photography I shared was a picture of Kassandra on Twitter a few years ago. I turned this old drawing account I never shared anything on, into a VP account. That is where I learn about the VP community.

I was able to find the post on Twitter, and seeing it made me laugh because the first thing it seems, I even back then warned that I was going to share a lot of pictures of her!

What do you always look out for when you start a new game?

The story and the characters are the most important to me. Usually, when I learn about a new game or see a trailer, if the character catches my eye, or their personality, their design, and the story of the game look interesting, I will be learning more and follow the news leading up to the launch date.

I am not reading the critics or reviews of the games beforehand. I tend to do that for all forms of media. If I like what I am seeing, I will give it a try, play the game, and forge my own opinions.

This makes sense

So far, I’ve been lucky as my “instinct”, if I can call it that. I wasn’t disappointed, but it instead led me to games that I really love and can play many times.

Do you have any favourite photos that you've taken? If so, what makes them special to you?

Choosing favourites is hard for me because there are so many I really love. But as I am late on updating on my Picashot albums, I will go with the following:

Nefertiti:

This one was during a battle with Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins. I think that’s when I started taking pictures in the middle of a fight. One of my favourite types of virtual photography, but less for the character, as I am always putting them in danger! Especially when I leave the photomode, not remembering that a few minutes before, the opponent lifted their arm to strike!

Frey:

This picture of Frey is one of the first I took in the game. I took this one during a fight, like many of my action VPs are – and at that moment, I remember clearly that I had a feeling this game was going to be very special for me, and from a VP perspective, I’ll have many incredible creative pictures.

Amicia:

I was moving the camera in-game around Amicia when I saw the light from the little window on the stairs. When I started the photomode, I noticed her expression and thought it could be interesting despite how sad she looked. With this photo, I learned that I could play a lot with the contrast/exposure and saturation to try and have very emotional photography. I was able to get several captures at the same spot just after this one with a nice range of expression.

I really love many of my recent portrait photographs, thanks to this picture of Amicia.

Are your photos inspired by anything/people, i.e game devs or virtual photographers?

I think consciously or not, we are inspired by who and what is surrounding us or what we see.

I love art in general. Oil painting, manga, comics, photography and scenes from a movie or show. I try to store the composition I saw in case it might give me ideas. I learned how to use it years ago, and I read articles too.

I watched a lot of Annie Leibovitz’s photography as I love her work. Within the VP community, I have learned so much since I started. The challenges helped a lot as it “pushed” me to take pictures I’d never thought about before.

And then there are the virtual photographers I am thankful for and was inspired by when I first started years ago, like Kirsty, GwynVP, NikkiJaye, Matt, Dominik, Michèle, Matacy1on, Sarah Gurrado, LaMisthios, Josh, Steffi Syndrome, Ducky.

These people are the ones I look up to when I really got into virtual photography, and their art inspired me a lot, but also how they gave me beginner confidence. I can say they are the ones who kind of shaped the Virtual Photographer I am today. With their work, they showed me the foundation to create or rather, find what style I love the most. I found new incredible people today, but they are the first ones.

Which game do you think would make an unexpectedly amazing VP gem if it had a photo mode?

If I can name three games… The first game that came to mind was Dishonoured 2! Arkane Studio has a unique style, and this game is simply gorgeous. Maybe it’s also because I love the work of Cedric Peyravernay and Sergey Kolesov, but the world the studio built, the unique character design, the architecture, and details would make incredible virtual photography. I can already see the action, macro, and portrait pictures I could capture in the game if we had a photomode.

There’s another one but old game that I love on PS3 called WET, a 2009 game by the studio A2M (now called Behaviour) and Bethesda. The virtual photography would be incredible! The portrait of Ruby…I’m dreaming of the pictures these two games would give!

And finally, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.

Has virtual photography changed the way you look at the real world or real-life photography?

I’d rather say they complete each other. Daily, I love taking time to look at what’s around me. So I can notice little things like when I’m going to work or home. Look at the details of the surroundings in the game way more than I used to before I started VP.

From the real-life photography, I first took my love for Black and White photography back in the VP.

And virtual photography helped me create a new type of real-life photography, composing the picture in a way I’d never thought about before, because I took them in-game first.

Is there a particular game you want to play but haven't been able to?

Not one but so many! I have a long list of waiting games going back to PS2. I have them, but it takes me a long time to finish one. And sometimes I don’t know why, I just go back to my favourites, which I played countless times already of which is not helping.

The most recent is Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Like all others, I have had the game since launch, but alas…Soon, I hope.

You share a lot of photos from Horizon Forbidden West and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. What draws you to these two games?

First and foremost, the characters, I think. To me, the design of Aloy and Kassandra are beautiful and their details/features are unique.

Then, the landscape in the games. The photomode in these games is also fantastic to use.

When it comes to Horizon specifically, the machine draws me. Seeing a world where nature regains the upper hand on the civilisation built by humankind is beautiful but scary at the same time, as there is a part that can be true in real life if we keep on this track. When I take virtual photography, there are a lot of mixed feelings, being in awe of the world the developers and designers were able to create. As a player, as a human being, it makes me think about what we’re doing to our own world.

If you could design your own photo mode, what 3 features would be a must-have?

The 3 must-have features in my Photomode would be:

• “Precision” feature like in Horizon Forbidden West, very practical because sometimes the camera moves too fast, and it takes me a lot of time to move it exactly where I want.

• “Lighting” feature to change the saturation, exposure, and contrast. I really need these features because all the pictures I take are in-game. I do not use/own editing software. Instead, I take several versions, sometimes checking with the PS App the captures I took.

• And one I’ve never since anywhere is to be able to “see/take vertical photography.” I like taking those, but I find myself in a really strange posture or with my neck hurting because my head was on the side for too long.

What’s a game everyone loves for VP that you just can’t get into?

I think the popular one is Death Stranding. This is more because of the numerous games I have to play. It is a shame because I bought the collector’s version back then and still haven’t played the game despite how beautiful it looks.

Between A Plague’s Tale: Requiem or Forspoken, which would you choose to play if you can only play one forever?

I think you want to break my heart with that question! How can I choose? These two games are in my top 5 favourite games – TR aside. And A Plague Tale is also a game that, in a way, makes me proud because Asobo Studio showed the world what the French are capable of doing.

It is a really difficult question. It’s like asking to pick a rose in a field of roses…

It breaks my heart to pick one, but I’ll go with Forspoken. One of the main reasons is that I found out recently that it became my go-to game when I’m not feeling well.

The fact that it’s an open world, I can travel across Athia even after the story is finished. I’m still discovering details I missed before. (or when I start over). And no matter how many hours I played, the parkour and spells in the game never stopped making me smile. And it’s so so beautiful!

Can you share a gaming/virtual photography experience that had an emotional impact on you?

The most recent experience that had a huge emotional impact on me was the ending of A Plague Tale Requiem. I love the game and the gameplay, following the story of Hugo and Amicia. But the ending really got to me.

It was a real roller-coaster bringing out all sorts of feelings and emotions so intense I was not prepared for.

Especially with the choice you have to make. I spent so long just watching the screen, without knowing what to do because you do not want to do it, but at the same time, you understand what’s at stake in the story. In the end, I couldn’t do it. I chose not to. And what happened after…That was…hard. I really did not expect that.

Not only did it bring out all my feelings, mixed together and ten times what I’ve felt before, but it also made me reflect for days about what I would do in a situation like this in real life. Would I make the choice not to “act” as I did in A Plague Tale: Requiem, or would I be able to? How much will this have an impact on my future decision?

This is why I think that Asobo Studio did an incredible job not only on the design, gameplay, and world they built—who could think of making a game with thousands of little rats!—but more importantly, with the writing. I cannot wait to see what’s next with Resonance, but I wish to see what the characters from APT are up to.

Do you have any game quotes that you stand by?

“Disrespect is the route to carelessness” by Lara from The Last Revelation. When I was younger, I really followed everything Lara did. She is still today my favourite character (classic Lara)

But the real one I try to follow ever since I was a kid isn’t from a game: “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.” This helped me try to put myself into other people’s shoes and not to judge quickly.

What’s your biggest takeaway from being a virtual photographer and gamer?

My biggest takeaway from being a virtual photographer is not to be afraid. Do not be afraid of taking pictures of what you love, not be afraid of trying new things, or asking for advice, criticism, and more importantly, share your photography.

It might be tough in a way, just like when you are drawing and writing, when you are creating something and so on. Sharing your virtual photography is a little window about you, what you like, how you see things, what elements will catch your eye first, but I think it is important not to be afraid of showing them. Try not to compare your work with others because the way we see things is unique, and no one else can show better what we see than ourselves.

Preach!

Additionally, do not let the numbers take your spirit down. Some people might hate; some might like but you will always find at least one person your photography will reach.

I said this, but I have a hard time remembering this daily myself. But I try.

And as a gamer, it is not to let other people tell you what game is worth playing or not. I learned long ago that what I like can differ from others. Some people might even hate it, and I could miss something that will have a big impact on me, a story or character that I will love deeply if I just follow everyone and not what my hearts tell me. In vice versa, I might not like a game I bought because it’s popular.

So, I follow my heart as a gamer and what I love, despite what everyone is saying.

Thanks for sharing :)

When did you first learn about Picashot?

When it was announced on Twitter, if I remember correctly. I was attracted to the idea of having a dedicated website where we could share our virtual photography and explore the art and vision of another virtual photographer.

Picashot has evolved a lot in such a short time! I find it impressive how much you and the team have been able to build so far.

Thank you Akira!

What is your favorite Picashot feature?

I love the fact that we can upload several high-quality photos and sort them in a specific album. It is easier to see the virtual photography on a specific game, and when you want to discover a new game through other people’s work, you can quickly access it.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to try to Studio version yet. But soon, I hope.

Are there any features you'd like to see on Picashot?

I’d love to have a way of organising and sorting the photography in such a way that I can move pictures from one album to an entirely different album. For example, I have an HFW album and one for Burning Shore, but I wish to merge both. I would also like a filter to sort the photography from old to new, maybe?

Any advice for aspiring virtual photographers who have no idea where to begin?

It is easy to forget, and I do it myself often, even if it is my own advice, but take pictures of what you love the most and that are making you happy. Let yourself be creative and play with the photomode. But also, do not compare yourself with others. Do not think about views or likes because they can easily drain you.

But like I said earlier, it is easier said than done. there are times I also log in to share my photos, check the number of likes and comments of others and start comparing myself with them. It is not easy, as you start thinking you are not good enough. So, I must snap out of it and remember why I took the picture.

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