Prepared to Purchase the Compact Ricoh GR IIIx Following Inspiring Photography Tutorial on YouTube
Heading down the YouTube photography rabbit hole, I stumbled upon Japanese Ricoh GR shooter Satoru Watanabe and his GR IIIx, and now I can't get it off my mind.
Watanabe made a statement that resonated with me: "Snapshots are the traces of everyday imagination." After reading his accompanying blog, I found myself pondering not just cameras but the raison d'être of photography itself.
Check this out: A YouTube clip from GR Official featuring Satoru Watanabe
He discusses photographing without a plan, endeavoring to capture things that can't be expressed in words—fleeting moments of beauty or atmosphere that exist simply for what they are. A silhouette between skyscrapers. A passing stranger's hand illuminated. A reflection in motion. These images might not win awards, but that's the point.
"Snapshots are photographs of the indescribable," Watanabe writes. "No one may understand it, but that's okay."
This sentiment hit a nerve since I don't even own a GR III or IIIx, but I've developed a newfound desire for one. Not for the stats, nor for the notoriety, but to embrace the ethos Watanabe is preaching.
In a world where each photo begs for a caption, context, or reason, it's intriguing to consider photography that stands on its own, taken purely because an inner voice whispered, "Shoot this." The GR lineup is small, speedy, and no-nonsense—providing a license to feel your way through photography. To observe instead of strategize. To shoot without overthinking.
I keep convincing myself I don't need another camera. But this isn't about necessity. It's about reliving the sensation of carrying a camera, just because I wanted to, without the pressure to produce content or chase perfection. Instead, I'd be open to light, instinct, and whatever beauty slips through the cracks. To capture those same feelings I experienced when I first donned a camera around my neck as a callow youth.
I might wait for the upcoming Ricoh R IV. I might not. But I know one thing: what I want from an everyday camera. Something compact. Something honest. Something I can have on me to seize those moments that draw me in the moment they happen.
Want more?If you're into smaller everyday carry cameras, browse our guides on the best compact cameras and the best travel cameras.
Kalum CarterKalum is a photographer, filmmaker, creative director, and writer with over a decade of experience in visual storytelling. His work revolves around photography books, curation, and photo editing.
Alongside his creative projects, Kalum writes about photography and filmmaking, interviewing industry pros, showcasing emerging talent, and dissecting the art form. His work explores the power of visual storytelling, nurturing an appreciation for the impact of photography.
- I found a YouTube clip from GR Official featuring Satoru Watanabe, whose ethos on photography has stirred a desire in me for a Ricoh GR IIIx.
- Watanabe's words about capturing the indescribable in photography sparked a reflection on the purpose of photography itself, making me consider not just cameras, but the art form itself.
- His approach of shooting without a plan and allowing instinct to guide his photography resonates with me, and I aspire to embrace that ethos myself.
- The upcoming Ricoh R IV could be a potential addition to my collection, as I seek a compact, honest camera that I can carry with me to seize those moments that draw me in.
- Along with discovering the Ricoh GR lineup, exploring guides on the best compact cameras and the best travel cameras has broadened my understanding of smaller everyday carry cameras.
