Thoughts on Masaharu Uehida

LMC is a brand born from the "standard" that is Levi's®. Every season, it presents advanced, experimental, yet real and wearable collections under various themes. For its 2016 Spring/Summer collection, LMC chose the desert as its theme.



And in the realm of art, when one thinks of beautiful "dune" imagery, it is likely the world of photographer Masaharu Uehida (1913-2000), isn't it?

Born in 1913 in what is now Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, he moved to Tokyo to pursue photography. Upon graduating from photography school, he opened a photo studio in his hometown at the young age of 19. He is a master photographer, proudly representing Japan, known for his consistent creative activity spanning approximately 70 years, all conducted in the San'in region, his native land.

Uehida's perfectly calculated directorial photographs, which feature the sky of his hometown and serene dunes stretching to the horizon as a backdrop, with subjects arranged like objects, are so renowned that they are recognized even in France, the birthplace of photography, as "Ueda-cho" – a term in Japanese itself.

While expressing respect and "homage" to Masaharu Uehida, the mission was to create a fashion story that fully captures the contemporary sensibility, trendy essence, the creator's originality, and the charm and individuality of LMC.――――This was the essence of the shoot. To realize this mission, we commissioned photographer Go Tanabe and stylist Masumi Sakamoto, both emerging creators significantly influenced by Uehida's "dune" photography.

The story begins with a shot (top image) featuring jeans with a beautiful back view, the arcuated stitching on the pockets (actually expressed through processing, not stitching), and props like antique chairs, umbrellas, and hats scattered around. The composition, with the horizon line between the dunes and the sky, the solid landscape, and the meaningful props and figures, evokes a unique story for each viewer.

Next, a portrait of a man and a woman (second image) sharing a common element of classic European military bicycles and hats, with a subtle hint of the "Showa" era. Perhaps it is the subtle distance and expressions between the two that stand out precisely because the clothing is simple.

In the shot (third image) featuring a curious combination of two men and one woman placed in the vast desert, the figures are distant and facing different directions. The era and location have already become ambiguous. Let's turn the pages to see how the story unfolds.

Page02.Natural Background

Natural Background

"While this shoot is an homage to Masaharu Uehida, I felt the key was how to convey a modern nuance," says stylist Masumi Sakamoto. "I thought if we could capture dunes that connect Uehida's era to the present through today's models and LMC's modern clothing, that would be ideal." Sakamoto has lived in Tottori and has been captivated by Uehida's photography from an early age, even conducting an "Uehida homage" shoot set in Tottori.

Go Tanabe is also a talented photographer who deeply respects Uehida. "Uehida's words, 'Why did I shoot in the dunes? Because there were dunes nearby,' left a strong impression on me. Uehida's photographs were meticulously directed in terms of composition, subject placement, perspective, and use of props, using the dunes as a "natural background" like a studio, with nothing else. In contrast, I aimed to create a personal style of direction, casting models with strong faces that stand out against the dunes, and expressing a sense of whimsy and storytelling that might even make you chuckle, all within a "natural background." That was the concept for the shoot."








The two creators, holding deep respect for the original, meticulously and carefully crafted their "homage" to Masaharu Uehida. Sakamoto, in particular, with his ties to Tottori, Uehida's native region, engaged in thorough preparation and contemplation regarding the location, model selection, setting, props, and narrative flow. Naturally, the coordination of LMC's clothing was also paramount.

Hats and round glasses. The styling of accessories strongly evokes a sense of a bygone era, matched with modern clothing of strong contrast. The portrait (top image), where the figures are so distant that the focus blurs, and the bicycle, emphasizes the emptiness of the vast "dunes." It is a powerful monochrome photograph. The shot of a figure looking back at the bicycle (second image) seems to symbolize the role and meaning the bicycle plays in this story.

In another portrait (third image), a sense of unity is conveyed through the shared elements of hats and round glasses. It beautifully expresses the woman's strength, sophisticated taste, mature mentality, and the appeal of LMC's simple yet striking clothing. Furthermore, the upright posture and gaze of the man standing in the distant background create a unique sense of unease.

The male portrait (fourth image), shot from a direction seemingly opposite to the female portrait (third image), shifts to a dynamic and comical pose. He holds an umbrella as if it might rain, tipping his hat to someone unseen. His posture, like an actor performing on a stage of a decaying tree stump, creates a contrast with the solid clothing. The smoky sky, the dry "dunes," and the navy of the umbrella synchronize with LMC's blouson, T-shirt, and jeans coordination.

Page03.What Exists in a World Without Color

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What Exists in a World Without Color

A portrait of a woman (upper right image) wearing a sleeveless long shirt, as if listening to the faint breeze and dissolving into the pale blue, overcast clouds. The contrast between the deep black and the light chambray-like tone is exquisite. The washed jeans also harmonize with the background, completing the color palette.

Clouds, sky, and "dunes." A soft, pale tone of nature woven in three layers (lower right image). The "natural background" changes moment by moment, revealing infinite expressions. In this quiet world, only footprints convey a sense of "humanity" and "life."








Pale blue and white represent the sky. Beige and black represent the sand and shade. The portrait of two men (upper left image), where clothing and nature achieve a remarkable harmony, becomes anonymous by obscuring their eyes with sunglasses. This is a composition that treats figures like objects, echoing Uehida's photography.

The antique chair and three umbrellas, which were striking elements throughout the story so far (lower left image). Where did the three people who left the umbrellas and chair go? Why are there no footprints? Amidst a scene filled with various mysteries, the wind patterns etched into the "dunes" evoke the passage of eternal time.

And then, to the climax of this story (bottom image). An "artificial background" made of a giant cloth suddenly appears in the "dunes," a "natural background," with them standing at its boundary. Their composition, radiating strong individuality in their chosen spots while harmonizing with exquisite distance, creating a beautiful melody, is superb.

This story of modern, unique individuals, unfolding with a neutrality that transcends time and borders, is perhaps the ultimate homage to Masaharu Uehida today, filtered through the lens of real fashion. At the same time, it is likely that you have fully grasped the subtle tones, light contrasts, and soft, sand-like textures that LMC embodies this season.

Like LMC's clothing, where extreme simplicity is elevated to strength, this story might also carry a powerful message of "no message." Props like bicycles and umbrellas, which seem meaningful but may not be; models with strong characters that lack overt humanity; and a location that, despite appearing intentional, is merely a "background." The simplicity is sublimated into strength.




Go TANABE
Photographer. Born 1981. From Chiba Prefecture. After graduating from Bunka Fashion College's styling course, he apprenticed under photographer Yoshie Tominaga. He became independent in 2005 and has been active in shooting for numerous magazines, advertisements, musicians, and actors. While utilizing digital cameras depending on the situation, he is particular about the unique texture and atmosphere of film, capturing "strong" photographs that directly convey the charm of a person's character, emotions, and fleeting moments. Masaharu Uehida, a key figure in this shoot, is "one of his favorite photographers."


Masumi SAKAMOTO
Stylist. Born 1975. After working as an assistant to ELLE's in-house stylist, she apprenticed under stylist Tomoki Yuza and became independent in 2001. She handles a wide range of styling for fashion magazines, advertisements, catalogs, musicians, and talents, and is highly regarded for her aesthetic sense and sharp, original styling. She has a deep knowledge of Japanese tradition, military, and plants. She spent several years of her teens in Tottori Prefecture. While "dunes" were a familiar sight then, she now realizes their profound significance anew. Affiliated with The VOICE MANAGEMENT.