Weekly News Roundup

News

Feb 15

Welcome to your weekly dose of all things black and white. From Ricoh's massive firmware update to the defining photos of the Winter Olympics, here are the biggest stories in photography this week.

Ricoh GR IV Shutter Speeds

The headline for most street photographers this week was Ricoh’s release of firmware version 1.11. As we reported earlier, this update brings the high-speed electronic shutter to the standard GR IV.

For the monochrome enthusiast, this is all about tonal control. The ability to shoot at f/2.8 in harsh, midday sun without an ND filter means you can maintain that creamy bokeh and shallow depth of field while still preserving detail in the brightest highlights a crucial win for those of us who live for high contrast street work.

Precision Under Pressure

At the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, AP photographer Jacquelyn Martin captured the defining images of Lindsey Vonn’s downhill crash. Using extreme shutter speeds and a meticulously planned position, she froze a split second moment that the rest of the world missed.

Martin’s work is a masterclass in form and silhouette. In monochrome, sports photography is stripped of the distracting colors of sponsor logos and bright jerseys, leaving only the raw tension of the athlete's body against the landscape. It’s a reminder that when the action is chaotic, the simplicity of black and white can often tell a more powerful story.

The Return of the Compact

The latest data from CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) confirms a massive 30% surge in compact camera sales. While DSLRs continue their decline, "lifestyle" compacts like the Ricoh GR and Fujifilm X100 series are fueling an industry resurgence.

This "retro revival" isn't just a trend; it's a shift toward intentionality. Monochrome photographers have long favored compact, unobtrusive tools that allow them to blend into the environment. The industry's pivot back to dedicated, tactile cameras suggests a growing audience for the "slow photography" movement that defines our community.

Exhibition Spotlight

In the fine art world, artist Cindy Stillwell announced her new installation, which features 16mm black and white film hand developed using plant based eco developers.

This is the "Keeper of the Craft" spirit in action. Stillwell’s use of sunflowers and hollyhocks to create developer for her film stock reminds us that monochrome isn't just a digital filter, it’s a physical, tactile medium. It encourages us to look at our "studio" processes more deeply and consider the chemistry behind the grain.