Kenta Nakamura’s obscure images of strangers wearing 3D glasses

Japan-based photographer Kenta Nakamura enjoys taking photographs of contrasting ideas and the vivid nature of daily life. “I consider photography as a communication tool. I am glad if I can draw out various emotions from viewers,” he explains.

For his series Your Story, uncertainty and ambiguity are the main themes conveyed through his photographs of strangers wearing plastic 3D glasses. “Photography is often used to present the subject with some kind of deeper meaning or thought behind it. However I wanted to give my images a different purpose.”

Kenta has photographed his subjects in three different styles; portrait, documentary and set-up scenes. “By making the subject wear 3D glasses, it weakens the identity of the subject,” explains the photographer. “I want the viewer to recall their own stories of being ‘watched’.”

The glasses add an anonymity to Kenta’s subjects, emphasising his wish for the viewer to reflect on themselves rather than focus on those he’s photographed. The whole series feels obscure and almost humorous, with the impassive expressions of Kenta’s subjects. The mix of candid shots with more stylised images creates an interesting contrast where the only thing that ties them together is the flimsy 3D glasses, which brings a touch of nostalgia to the project.