What my pocket camera taught in the first week.

For the last few years, I’ve owned  DSLRs and mirrorless. The last time I owned a point & shoot was maybe middle or high school, when photography was fun and easily documented my personal memories. I've been wanting to carry around my camera to capture moments carelessly, without being asked if I was a professional photographer because I had a mirrorless with a 15-35 mm lens attached. I’d like to enjoy taking photos without the attention. That's why I made it a priority to find a point and shoot camera that was discreet, and it happened to be my new Ricoh GR IV. It checked all the boxes: small enough to put in my pocket, discreet, and produces great quality photographs.

I must say, it taught me a few things within the first week. I made sure to carry it everywhere…my office, on my walks, in my backyard, pretty much everywhere. What I really love about it was being able to stop during my walk and just capture little things without drawing attention to myself, while staying present in the moment with my observations. It constantly reminded me that the little things in life that others may or may not notice can be the most thought provoking moments. 

On my morning walk, I stopped when I saw a tree that looked as if it had buttons lined up on it like a shirt. I hesitated to get closer, but when I tried to take a photo, I was reminded this is a 28 mm lens. I need to move to get closer. Of course I did, and that was a lesson in itself coming from someone used to using a zoom lens. When I moved I realized someone placed gum in a line along the trunk, hence the buttons.The lesson was when you want something you better move to get closer in any way possible. 

It goes back to saying it’s the little things that matter and just having this little camera with me is great to capture these little moments and observations. Of course I can use my phone to capture them, but I intended to print the photographs. Eventually, something I’d like to do is create personal books & zines.

Having my GR IV has helped me move towards taking photos without the pressure that I associate with my mirrorless camera. I can say I associate it with being carefree and child-like just focusing on whatever passes my lens.