也許我們到日本旅遊時，都曾經被放置在路上各處的自動販賣機所吸引，不自覺地買下一瓶又一瓶的飲料。但對於北海道出身的日本攝影師大橋英兒，販賣機可說是他的救命稻草。
Have you ever wonder why are there so many vending machines on the streets when you travel to Japan? Japanese photographer Eiji Ohashi gained a deeper appreciation of Japan’s ubiquitous metal boxes one harsh night in his Hokkaido hometown.
Eiji Ohashi, Roadside Lights II
大橋曾在一次暴風雪的惡劣環境下，憑著販賣機的燈光指引路向，走出重圍。看到販賣機在大雪紛飛的黑夜中仍發出憨直的光亮，大橋決定展開一項攝影計畫，取名為Roadside Lights，藉由鏡頭語言和快慢門取景，將散落在日本每一隅的販賣機記錄下來。
Caught in a fierce snowstorm, Ohashi was able to navigate his way home until the light ignited from vending machines guided his way out of danger. Deeply moved by how the vending machines stand unwaveringly in bleak places, Ohashi started the “Roadside Lights” series which captures solitary vending machines scattered across Japan.
Eiji Ohashi, Roadside Lights I
大橋英兒格外喜歡拍攝夜幕中佇立在路邊的自動販賣機。他鏡頭下的自動販賣機充滿孤獨感，但同時又帶給人無限的安慰，彷彿是無人之處的唯一依靠。這些自動販賣機在夜裏持續地散發光亮，不論晝夜，它們都繼續工作。但同時它們卻又必須遵循市場規律：一旦達不到銷售額，便會被撤去。
As dusk approaches, the roadside vending machines light up in the cities and suburbs. These scenes of vending machines lined up along the roadside are unique to Japan. Whether downtown or somewhere in the wilderness, the vending machines are always there to stand in solitude, conjuring up an image of loneliness. They work day and night, but will be removed as soon as sales decrease.
Eiji Ohashi, Roadside Lights II
大橋英兒說到：「這些閃爍着的自動販賣機就像是我們自己一樣，不去強調自己、表現自己的話，便無法存活。」
Perhaps the vending machines connect with us on a much personal level than we have ever imagined – We must prove our existence by asserting ourselves.
Eiji Ohashi, Roadside Lights II
Eiji Ohashi, Roadside Lights III
Artist: Eiji Ohashi
https://eijiohashi.com/jp
Photo courtesy of the artist
Copyright © 2021 Eiji Ohashi 大橋英児. All rights reserved