DESIGN /
FEATURES
February 6, 2015
RICOH | Makoto Azuma (Flower Artist) × RICOH GR DIGITAL III
Makoto Azuma (Flower Artist) × RICOH GR DIGITAL III
The Texture of Plants
Makoto Azuma, a world-renowned flower artist, walks to his office and shop in Aoyama every day from his home in Azabu. Here, he captures the designs of plants he encounters in his daily life with the RICOH GR DIGITAL III.
Photos: Makoto Azuma, Shunsuke Shiiki (Portrait)Text: Wakako Miyake
It's satisfying to shoot at the same tempo
Azuma Makoto, who creates unique arrangements and concepts with flowers and is active internationally, has long been a devoted fan of the RICOH GR.
“I first saw photographer Daido Moriyama using the GR21 and thought it was wonderful. So, I bought a digital one as soon as it came out.”
It wasn't just because his admired photographer used it; he also found its distinctive angle perfectly suited to his own style.
“Compared to regular cameras, it's wide-angle, isn't it? It matches the human eye's field of view. I also like that it doesn't have a zoom. You have to move yourself in relation to the subject. You have to move closer, not zoom out, which I find really great. The angle is fixed, and you can click the shutter at the same rhythm, so I like that I can take sequential photos.”
Azuma walks to and from his home and office every day. He captured plants and scenery he encountered on his approximately 40-minute commute.
“I tried photographing the designs of plants that caught my eye while walking. I always carry a camera, so I've developed a habit of shooting what interests me. For this shoot, I focused on the texture of plants.”
The displayed works capture the life of plants, things we might overlook in our daily lives. You can see the varied expressions even in the bark of trees lining the streets.
“The GR DIGITAL responds instantly, so it's great that I can shoot the moment I think, 'This is interesting!' Plus, the operation is easy to understand. Just take it out and adjust the exposure. It's also rugged, making it very suitable for carrying around.”
Therefore, he uses it frequently for personal use rather than for work.
“This camera is the best for quickly taking photos that serve as my source of ideas or presentation material.”
He also appreciates that despite its rapid shooting capability, each photo turns out with high quality.
“It's compatible with any printer, and it's truly professional. Another thing that sets it apart from other cameras is how satisfying the shutter button is to press. It really feels like you're taking a photograph.”
Azuma has experienced the GR DIGITAL I, II, and now the III.
“I think it's an exceptionally excellent camera, both in design and internal capabilities. The timeless design of the black body is also appealing. Even though it hasn't been frequently redesigned, everyone desires it. It's truly a masterpiece.”
Makoto Azuma
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1976. In 2002, he opened his flower shop 'JARDINS des FLEURS' in Ginza, Tokyo (now located in Minami-Aoyama). He held solo exhibitions in New York, at Colette in Paris, and at Sony Building in Ginza in 2005. In 2006, he was invited to 'Les Soirees Nomades' at the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris. In 2008, he held the art exhibition 'BOTANICA (X)' at NRW Forum in Germany. He is an artist who finds the most mystical forms in flowers and plants and transforms them into aesthetic expressions.
RICOH GR DIGITAL III
The GR, known for its high-speed shooting and image quality far exceeding that of compact cameras, has earned high praise from photographers. The latest model, touted as 'the best image quality in GR history,' features the new GR LENS 28mm/F1.9 with exceptional brightness, enabling richer expressions. Furthermore, the adoption of the newly developed image processing engine, GR ENGINE III, effectively reduces various types of noise and significantly improves color reproduction and tonal gradation. Open price.
Customer Service Center
0120-000-475