filmisnotdead – dylan barnes

knucklepuck @ buzzfront yokohama

i’m losing all the faith i have in my ability to breathe
from pondering the second chances or the possibility
of getting my teeth off this curb while your foot rests easily
on the back of my head, I’d push down harder if it were me
i’ll tell you everything is copacetic
i’ll tell you everything is copacetic
i’ll tell you everything is copacetic
– knucklepuck, ponder

all photos were taken with a contax t3 on ilford hp5

November 29, 2025

manabu

In 2017, I met Manabu for the first time on a trip to Tokyo with my friends Micca and Ryan. Our meeting was brief, but over the years, he became more than just a friend; he became a mentor, an older brother, and someone whose quiet presence has shaped my life in ways I never expected.⁣
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In December 2024, I stayed with Manabu at his home in Hatoyama, Japan. For six days, we lived simply, walking his dog Natty, sharing coffee and conversations, photographing whatever felt like should be frozen in time. ⁣
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This body of work and the photobook that it produced is a thank you. It is also a reflection on friendship, learning, and the passage of time. His name itself means “to study” or “to learn,” and in many ways, that is exactly what this book represents: what I have learned from him, about him, and about myself.⁣
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The first edition is limited to 25 copies, each including a special edition print on Ilford Galerie Washi Torinoko Japanese photo paper. Manabu is now available on my webstore and via direct message through my Instagram.
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I hope to soon exhibit this work and see you there.