Unaware that the Ricoh GR III incorporates a Daido Moriyama photography mode?
Hang on, let's take a moment to talk about the hidden treasure tucked within the Ricoh GR III menus. You'll find it under a mysterious section called 'Image Atmosphere' - home to a little-known setting called 'High Contrast B&W'.
Now, don't get too excited, it's not officially named Moriyama Mode, but it might as well be. If you've ever strolled the gritty streets of Tokyo or flipped through the pages of a street photography book, you'll recognize this mode's gritty, high-contrast feel, inspired by legendary Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama.
Moriyama's been associated with compact cameras for years, from the Nikon Coolpix to modern-day Ricoh GRs. And here, tucked away in the GR III's settings, Moriyama's signature aesthetic seems to have made a secret appearance.
It's a missed opportunity, some might say. Why hasn't Ricoh embraced this connection more openly? Or better yet, why aren't other brands doing the same? Fujifilm has made a killing with its Film Simulations, not just for their aesthetic quality, but for the emotional bond they create with photography's analog past.
What if the next evolution isn't about films, but photographers? Imagine image profiles designed to echo the visual styles of iconic artists—a soft-contrast Vivian Maier mode, or a deep-black Salgadomonochrome mode.
Of course, some might argue this opens the door to imitation by photographers. But the intention wouldn't be to encourage copying, any more than using Tri-X or Portra does. These simulations would serve as creative invitations, not limits: a way to experiment, learn, and grow through influence, rather than mimicry.
Just like painters study their mentors before developing their own voice, photographers can learn from understanding the tonal structures and atmospheres that shaped the greats. For a brand like Ricoh, with a passionate following in the street photography world and deep roots in the genre, this kind of storytelling could be a game-changer.
Ultimately, that's what draws us to photography: sometimes, the best way to find your own voice is to walk for a while in someone else's shoes – or, in this case, someone else's shadows and grain.
P.S. Maybe it's time for a TikTok challenge called "Shoot like Moriyama" – see what you can create with the hidden High Contrast B&W setting on your Ricoh!
- The High Contrast B&W setting on the Ricoh GR III resembles the gritty style of legendary Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama, inspiring a sense of connection between street photography and compact cameras.
- Some photographers argue that camera brands, like Ricoh and others, should design and embrace image profiles modeled after iconic artists' distinctive visual styles, such as a soft-contrast Vivian Maier mode or a deep-black Salgadomonochrome mode.
- Brands like Ricoh, with a strong following in the street photography world, could potentially benefit from storytelling that highlights such connections, merging modern technology with artistic inspiration.
- Just as painters learn from mentors to develop their unique voices, photographers can gain insight by exploring the tonal structures and atmospheres that characterize the works of notable artists, ultimately enhancing their own techniques and creative expressions.
- Incorporating signature styles of iconic photographers into camera settings could serve as a means to experiment, learn, and grow, fostering a deeper connection between users and photography's rich past while encouraging creative exploration and expression.
