Capturing Art in Photographs
More and more museums and galleries have started to allow photography.
We can imagine that, by permitting visitors to take photos, they hope those images will lead to social media posts, spread the word, and feed into promotions that draw more visitors. But since it’s such a valuable opportunity, you’ll surely want to keep a memento, won’t you?
As for the gear to take those photos, you can of course shoot with a smartphone. But when you want to capture a precious artwork cleanly and properly, you’ll want to have a dedicated digital camera ready.
Why We Recommend the GR2
The camera we recommend on this site is the compact digital camera (commonly called a “compact”) the “RICOH GR2.” It’s a celebrated model that has earned high praise despite its compact body.
~ Main Features of the GR2 ~
Wide-angle 28mm (35mm equivalent)
F2.8
APS-C sensor
16.2 megapixels
Wi-Fi / NFC compatible
We’ve put together the points that make the GR2 worth recommending.
(1) Image Quality
The first thing to mention is “image quality.”
The cameras built into smartphones get better every year, so unless a camera delivers better image quality than a smartphone, there’s no point in using it. It is that superior quality which justifies owning a camera in the first place. The other day I visited a solo exhibition by Ai Kumehara, and on the way I spotted cherry blossoms in bloom at Ueno Park and tried photographing them — the image below. I blurred the background, and it rendered really beautiful colors.
(2) Portability
The next thing worth noting is its compact body.
The body is so small it will even slip into your trouser pocket. It’s lightweight too, so you can carry it with you at all times without any stress. Because the camera is small, you can always have it on hand and whip it out in an instant — which is wonderful.
(3) Close-up Shooting
The GR2 can shoot at very close range using its macro mode.
With art, shooting up close makes it possible to record the brushwork, the matière, and so on. For example, the photo below is a close-up of a work by the embroidery artist Satoru Aoyama.
It can faithfully record the fine details of the thread.
In works by the Nihonga painter Ai Kumehara, too, you can make out the traces of a technique in Japanese painting known as “tarashikomi.”
And with works by the popular artist Miwa Komatsu, which look bold and dynamic, you’re struck by how carefully the brush has actually been handled.
(4) Wide Angle
The 28mm lens makes it possible to shoot with a broad angle of view.
It enables shooting in the structurally unavoidable situations you encounter in museums and galleries — a cramped gallery, or wanting to capture the whole scene with a wide field of view.
(5) Smartphone Linking
It also comes with a smartphone linking function that lets you post to social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The camera’s own Wi-Fi function lets you transfer images to your smartphone wirelessly (using an app).
Points to Watch
It’s not a camera that scores full marks on every count. I’ve been using it for about two years now, and the following are points worth keeping in mind.
No Image Stabilization
Because of its compact body, it doesn’t come with image stabilization. For this reason, you’ll want to be careful about camera shake in dark places and the like. Even when it feels like you got a proper shot, the actual image can sometimes turn out blurred, so please take care.
Autofocus Speed
Also, there are moments when you feel the autofocus — the automatic focusing — is “a little soft” in its timing. Ideally the focus snaps crisply into place, but there are also times when you have to repeat the focusing a few times. Please do be careful.
Summary
The GR2 hovers at a market price of around 70,000 yen. It’s compact and nimble, so once you get one, you’ll likely find yourself shooting more often. By now, it’s a beloved camera that has more than paid for itself.
Perfect for galleries and museums!
It’s a camera I’d love to recommend to everyone. Do give it a try!!
