Ritsuko Matsushita

Hi, my name is Ritsuko Matsushita, an office worker and a photographer living in Japan. I lost my job in 2011. At that time, I met a camera, and since then I’ve been passionate about making photos.

I was inspired by picture books of my childhood and Zen philosophy. “Nothing is fixed substance. Everything is formless, fluid, and, ever changing.” My works are influenced by this idea.

Cameras

I have been using Sony cameras all the time. When traveling, when using it for work, or when creating works. When Im shoot in a studio I trust, I sometimes use a studio camera (I shot my series “I return to the universe, someday.” on a Nikon D800 and Nikkor AF-S), but my basic cameras are Sony.

The first one I used was NEX-3. And the next one was NEX-7. At first, the full-size camera for me felt expensive and surprisingly heavy.

Currently, I use Sony A7 for my job and my creating works. The reason is that it is full size and the lens can be replaced. And I use Sony RX100Ⅴ for everyday and travel. It is lightweight, small, and high performance. After purchasing, luggage during travel has decreased.

The main reason for choosing Sony is that it fits comfortably in my hand. I want to use the camera as part of my body, so “fitting in my hand” is very important to me.

And one more thing, I like the colors in the photos I take with Sony cameras. I feel the color and transparency that is close to the real thing, not too flashy and not exaggerated. Some people change cameras often, but I don’t need to. I want to keep using it whenever possible.

Lenses

Sony 28-70mm f/3.2-5.6

Sony 30mm f/3.5

Sony 24-105mm f/4

Nikon 28mm f/2.8　＋　LENSBABY TRANSFORMER

I don’t really want to change cameras, but the lenses have changed a lot. I sell lenses that are no longer used and buy new ones. I don’t snap, shoot far away, shoot sports or animals, whether I’m shooting at work or creating my own work.

I often shoot with the indoor shooting environment in place. Telephoto lenses are no longer used for jobs and my works. I have LENSBABY since I was a camera beginner. I don’t use this lens much now, but I can’t let go because I like it. I use when I want to play.

Lights/Triggers

COMET Dm360

LPL WP-960

Basically I want to shoot with sunlight. However, I sometimes use strobes and lights when doing studio work.
When shooting in a studio that I trust (said above), I use the COMET Dm360 installed in the studio. I carry and use the LPL WP-960 when I need to shoot small things in not well-maintained places.

Bags/Straps

I am not particular about bags and straps. I carry my gear in a bag pack.

Currently, the Hakuba Strap is attached to Sony A7. And the Sony RX100Ⅴ has a strap that I liked the design.

Hardware & Software

Lightroom

Misc.

I have a large white thick cotton cloth in my bag. It is useful because it can hide something, lay it on something, replace it with a reflector board, and sometimes wrap something.

You have works that only you can do. It takes time and patience to create a work that you imagine. But the work that you yearn for and want to create will first satisfy yourself. And it will have some effect on someone.

www.maturi-co.maturyu.com