Ricoh GR Camera Takes Center Stage at Monochrome Photography Workshop

Ricoh GR Philippines recently held the second edition of its “It’s All About Monochrome” photography workshop, giving enthusiasts a chance to explore black-and-white photography through a hands-on studio session. The event took place on June 27 at Studio J 2.0 and gathered photographers interested in learning how to create expressive monochrome images.

Rather than focusing on post-processing, the workshop encouraged participants to understand how light, shadow, and composition work together to produce strong black-and-white photographs. The session also highlighted how Ricoh GR cameras can be used to capture monochrome images directly in-camera.

Why it Matters: Monochrome photography remains popular among photographers who want to emphasize emotion, texture, and contrast instead of color. By teaching participants to think in black and white before pressing the shutter, the workshop showed how camera features and shooting techniques can influence the final image without relying heavily on editing.

The workshop was led by photographer Sir Ruel Tafalla and featured model Krizia Evans. Participants were guided through lighting setup, background preparation, posing, and composition inside a studio environment, allowing them to experience the complete process behind a monochrome portrait session.

A key focus of the event was the Ricoh GR camera’s monochrome image capabilities. Instead of treating black-and-white photography as a simple filter, the workshop demonstrated how the camera’s monochrome settings can help photographers visualize tonal values, contrast, and texture while shooting. This approach allows photographers to compose scenes with the final black-and-white image already in mind.

To put these features into practice, the workshop used semi-nude boudoir maternity photography as its main subject. The genre challenged participants to carefully manage lighting and shadows while maintaining tasteful composition and highlighting the subject’s form through tonal contrast rather than color. According to the organizers, many attendees were trying boudoir photography for the first time.

The event followed a hands-on format where participants took turns creating lighting setups, directing the model, and capturing their own images instead of simply observing demonstrations. Organizers said this approach allowed photographers to learn through practical experience while exchanging ideas with fellow participants throughout the session.

Ricoh GR Philippines said the workshop was part of its continuing effort to help photographers develop technical skills and gain a deeper understanding of monochrome photography using the Ricoh GR camera system.

Would you be interested in trying monochrome photography, or do you still prefer shooting in full color?