Most of the time when I travel with my wife, I take my Ricoh GR IIIx with me. I used to think it was because the camera was lightweight, but I have come to realize that there is more to it than that.
Whether it is a Hasselblad or a Leica, a single lens on a body is not that much of an obstacle to taking on a trip.
This time we stayed in Atami for my wife's birthday. The plum blossoms and Atami cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and we enjoyed walking around together. It was then that I realized:
The GR is in sync with my wife's rhythm.
She also loves photography and walks around taking pictures. She doesn't use a camera, she uses an iPhone SE. She reaches out and taps the screen to take a picture. No matter how many times I tell her to get a camera, she keeps using her old iPhone, saying, "I like this one." I stand next to her and take pictures with my GR IIIx.
Since the GR has no LCD viewfinder, I reach out, look at the rear LCD, and take a picture. This allows me to be aware of what is going on around me, and to continue taking pictures while talking to her. Since I can see what my wife is interested in and what she is looking at, I can walk and stop in sync with her rhythm.
What if this were a Leica with a viewfinder? I would be concentrating on it, moving and stopping selfishly, and as a result, upsetting my wife. I am sure many of you have experienced this.
I rarely use my iPhone to take pictures when I travel because my rhythm is not in sync with the iPhone. My rhythm includes the act of pressing the shutter.
I choose the camera based on rhythm, not specifications. What matters is which camera creates a comfortable rhythm for me here and now. That's why the GR is the only choice when I'm with my wife.
Satoru Watanabe
Born in 1961 in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. After graduating from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Photography, Watanabe joined Nikkan Sports Newspaper, where he gained experience in sports and news photography. After leaving the company, he founded Studio Monochrome. He has been working as a freelance photographer, mainly in the field of portraiture, and has been holding workshops since 2003. Recently he is known as the creator of Youtube "2B Channel". Winner of the 33rd "The Society of Photography Award" Special Prize. He is currently an adjunct professor at Keio University Graduate School. His recent books include "Toru chikara miru chikara (Power of Shooting and Power of Looking)" (Hobby Japan).
Satoru Watanabe@watanabesatoru2b
