098 | アスリートを撮る写真家が、レンズを介して本当に見たいもの。

仕事とは別に、自分の作品としてプロ・アマ問わずアスリートを写真におさめ続けている写真家の松本昇大さん。松本さんは、カラダと向き合う人のどんなところに惹かれてカメラを向けているのだろうか。
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仕事とは別に、自分の作品としてプロ・アマ問わずアスリートを写真におさめ続けている写真家の松本昇大さん。松本さんは、カラダと向き合う人のどんなところに惹かれてカメラを向けているのだろうか。レンズを通して見つめているカラダと向き合う人の真の姿とは。

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(写真)昨年、原宿のVacantにて、孤高のアスリートを追いかけた作品を展示した個展『The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner』を開催した。

元来カラダを動かすことが好きで、学生時代も野球や陸上競技に取り組んでいたという松本さん。幼い頃からヒーローはいつでも「アスリート」だった。高校を卒業して写真の専門学校に入り、アスリートにカメラを向けるようになったのも自然な流れだったのかもしれない。

「僕は上を目指して陸上競技を続けていましたが、トップにはなれなかった。トップに立つ人はどんなメンタルなのか知りたくて、レンズを通して観察していたら、少しはわかるんじゃないかと思ったんです」根性があって、努力をするのは当たり前。それでもトップに立つというのが難しいということを、自分の競技人生で目の当たりにした。トップに立てない人と立てる人は、メンタルに大きな違いがあるのではないかと思ったという。

「2008年頃から撮り続けていますが、トップに立つ人の気持ちには近づききれていないので、これからもアスリートを追い続けたいと思っています。ただ、『こんな風になりたい』という漠然とした思いではなく、『こうなる』という強い意志がある人がトップに立てるのではないかと思うようになりました」。

松本さんが好んで撮影するのは、所謂スポーツ新聞などで見るような「スポーツ写真」という類いの写真とは少し趣向が異なるものだ。試合前の緊張した面持ち、走者が走り終わったあとに倒れ込む様子、報道陣に囲まれたときの現場の空気感。「自分自身が、スポーツをしていたときのことを思い出すと、印象に残っているのは競技の前後だったりするんです。アスリートにとって試合は大切ですが一瞬の出来事で、試合までの準備や練習がその生活のほとんどを占めていますから、そういうときこそ写真に焼き付けておきたいと思います」。

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(写真)ニューヨークを訪れた際には、街を気軽にランニングするランナーにも目が留まったそう。自分ももっと気軽に走ってみよう、と思ったとか。

「仕事を通して様々なジャンルのプロフェッショナルに会う機会がありますが、『カラダに向き合う人』は素直に、自分自身の向上を目指している。そんな姿は、どこか純粋な印象を受けます。」 ゴールテープを切った瞬間、得点が決まった瞬間、アスリートが輝くのは、その一瞬だけではない。本気で取り組むその日常の表情こそ美しい。レンズを通して見つめているのは、カラダに向き合い続ける人の真摯な姿勢やその裏にある信念だった。

写真/松本昇大 文章/平井莉生

●松本昇大

1983年、大阪府生まれ。写真専門学校を経て2008年より写真家・若木信吾に師事。2011年、独立し、『BRUTUS』をはじめ様々な雑誌や広告などで活躍する。

【関連記事】

(「からだにいい100のこと。」より転載)

10 Energizing Yoga Poses
Half Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara)(01 of10)
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Sun Salutation sequences are traditionally performed as a way to awaken the body. \"This is great to do upon rising, even before you have had your first cup of coffee,\" Bielkus says. \n\nTo perform the sequence, stand up straight in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) with the feet together and arms at the side of the body with open palms. Sweep the arms up and extend them over the head on the inhale, then exhale and bow forward into a forward bend. On the inhale, lift the torso halfway up, place your hands at your shins and extend the spine. Fold forward again on the exhale. When you inhale, sweep back up and bring the palms together into prayer. Repeat this sequence three or four times. \n\nClick here for a video tutorial. (credit:Getty Images)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)(02 of10)
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The gentle heart-opening stretch of the camel pose -- performed either with the hands on the lower back or reaching down to touch the heels -- can be highly invigorating for the entire body. \n\n\"Camel is great because it\'s a total front-body opener,\" Bielkus says. \"You have the front of the legs moving forward. ... The core is stretching and the torso is lengthening up. The chest is really opening and expanding so that the lungs can expand full of breath.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II)(03 of10)
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\"This pose combines both leg strengthening and mild back bending, bringing energy into the body,\" Bielkus says. \"Just like the name suggests, this pose awakens the warrior within -- power and strength, but with ease.\"\n\nClick here for basic Warrior II instructions, and try adding what Bielkus calls the \"breath of fire\" for an extra energy boost. \n\n\"A great way to rev up this posture is to add in breath of fire -- rapid belly breath, focusing on the exhalation,\" Bielkus says. \"To start, take a deep breath in and then pump the navel in as you exhale. The inhale will take care of itself.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana) (04 of10)
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After Warrior II, try going into a restorative Triangle Pose. Straighten the front knee and extend the arm forward and then down to the shin, the floor next to the leg, or a block. Reach the other arm up and turn to face the sky, breathing deeply for five breaths, Bielkus advises. Then, repeat on the other side. \n\n\"This pose is about fully expanding not contracting,\" Bielkus says. \"Focus less about stretching and more about expanding and bringing breath and energy to every cell, every skin pore, every fiber of your being.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Side Plank (Vasisthasana)(05 of10)
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For the whole body-strengthening Side Plank, start in a plank pose. Turn to the right side, stacking the feet on top of each other, and lifting the left hand. Breath deeply for five breaths before repeating on the other side. If you\'re looking to modify the pose, Bielkus suggests bringing either the bottom knee or the forearm down to the ground. \n\n\"Yoga brings our mind to a oneness and a focused attention,\" Bielkus says, regarding the balancing poses. \"The more that we\'re coming into a mental clarity or focus, the less energy we\'re expending on that stress. The cortisol levels can drop and then we feel a little more energized.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Chair Pose (Utkatasana)(06 of10)
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The dynamic Chair Pose is performed by standing with the feet together or hip-width apart, and bending the lower body down as if you were sitting on a chair. Raise the arms to the ears and raise the chest up to complete the pose. \n\n\"This pose is literally translates from Sanskrit as \'powerful\' pose,\" says Bielkus. \"Sometimes in class, I refer to it as lighting bolt pose because [of] the amount of energy it creates in the body by using the big muscles of the legs and glutes while also creating a slight backbend, which awakens the spine.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) (07 of10)
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In addition to warding off stress and anxiety, the Half Moon Pose can be therapeutic for fatigue, according to Yoga Journal. In a forward fold, bring the right hand about 10 inches in front of you and slightly to the right, extending the left leg up while the hips and torso open. Extend the left arm up and hold the pose for five breaths before repeating on the other side. \n\n\"Any balancing poses are great for finding that inner balance,\" Bielkus says. (credit:Getty Images)
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)(08 of10)
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\"Back bends are all about unlocking the energy of the spine and nervous system,\" Bielkus says. \n\nLying on your back, bend the knees and place your feet flat on the floor with arms by your sides. Lift the hips up high and interlace the hands together or leave the arms at the sides of the body. Breathe deeply for five breaths and repeat several times. (credit:Shutterstock)
Locust Pose (Salabhasana)(09 of10)
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For this strengthening pose, lie on your belly with arms by your side and palms down. Then, gently lift the arms, legs, chest and head off the floor and breathe deeply for five breaths, trying to lift up higher with each breath. Repeat three or four times, being careful not to strain the neck. For more of a challenge, extend the arms in front of you, as pictured at left. \n\n\"You\'re really stimulating the upper, middle and lower back, and the muscles of the hamstrings are engaging\" Bielkus says. \"You\'re using so many muscles in the body to lift yourself off the earth. The neurons are firing to make that all happen.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Right Nostril Breathing (Surya Bhedana)(10 of10)
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This energizing pranayama (breathing exercise) offers a counterpoint to the calming left nostril breath. To perform the exercise, sit upright in a chair or on the floor in a comfortable cross-legged position, blocking the left nostril with the thumb and extending the fingers. Breathe long and deep, in and out of the right nostril for around five minutes, Bielkus advises. \n\n\"The right nostril is associated with the energy of the sun,\" Bielkus says. \"This breath is stimulating, invigorating and awakening.\" (credit:Getty Images)