The winning images of the GR Photo Festival 2024 celebrate daily life

Ricoh GR Photo Festival winning images

The 2024 Ricoh GR Photo Festival winners have been announced, with images celebrating ordinary life worldwide. The contest began in 2022 and is structured slightly differently from most contests. Instead of judges ranking images in order of excellence, the GR Photo Festival has professional photographers from around the world select three images that stand out to them. No prizes or award money are involved, and no titles are given out.

This year, the contest theme was daily life. "It is in your ordinary day-to-day life that you find precious moments," the festival explains. Any images that were taken with a GR series camera were eligible. You can learn more and see all of the selected images at the Ricoh GR Photo Festival website.

Selected by judge Reggie Ballesteros

Photographer: 树·先生

Location: China

Camera: GR III

Judge: Reggie Ballesteros

Judge's comment: This reminds me of a fleeting moment between a child and their parent. The composition and lighting make it a compelling frame with multiple frames within a frame, yet the identities of the subject are in shadow which makes it relatable and universal.

Selected by judge Reggie Ballesteros

Photographer: 刘旻尚

Location: China

Camera: GR IIIx

Judge: Reggie Ballesteros

Judge's comment: Using a cell phone in public is such an everyday occurrence. This photo captures that and make it beautiful and abstract - a man on his phone amidst this minimal scene with a pop of color. The man is also so close yet so far from the person next to him who seems to be exhausted and napping.

Selected by judge Reggie Ballesteros

Photographer: 张裕烽

Location: China

Camera: GR III

Judge: Reggie Ballesteros

Judge's comment: Walking is such a common occurrence and activity that we forget it's beauty and universality to the human experience. The lighting isolates the legs and obscures the identity of the walker. This image is bold and abstract turning this activity into an artful sight.

Selected by judge Jeremy Cheung

Photographer: 潘宇轩

Location: China

Camera: GR IIIx

Judge: Jeremy Cheung

Judge's comment: This photo beautifully depicts the everyday life of workmen. The unified emerald colours of their uniforms match perfectly with the muted soil as well as the hazy background skyline. The whole scene portrays a routine hardship life under a collecive culture. The gestures and actions of the nine workmen are also very well timed to complete a poetic yet candid snapshot.

Selected by judge Jeremy Cheung

Photographer: Adam Taufiq Suharto

Location: Malaysia

Camera: GR III

Judge: Jeremy Cheung

Judge's comment: This photo uses a elevation angle to tell an everyday story inside a school or community centre. Actions are packed within the well-spotted 'circle' frame, with each of the members focussing on their own tasks or living in their own world. The process of 'word making' gives the viewer a sense of fun guess, with the passing of 'M' is cleverly placed in the centre of the image. Complication is masterfully tackled with all elements balanced and structured. The colour tones are very truthful and aesthetically pleasing too.

Selected by judge Jeremy Cheung

Photographer: Cristobal A. Padilla Moreno

Location: Chile

Camera: GR III

Judge: Jeremy Cheung

Judge's comment: The split lighitng temperature of the two sections in the photo gives an illusion of two different worlds. The phtoographer also brillantly chose to stand on a spot where the diverging perspectives of the two corridors were captured beautifully. The scenes shown on both sides are exceptionally detailed and inviting to more discovery. For me, it is like reading 2 different photos but in a single photo. It is a joy to feel how this night scene vividly delivers.

Selected by judge Oliver Jiang

Photographer: 快门师傅 徐威

Location: China

Camera: GR III

Judge: Oliver Jiang

Judge's comment: The image is masterfully layered with different elements, I can see the state of the people in the sunset, from near to far. The big dog takes up an important part of the picture, and I think it will lick the camera at any time. Without its “intrusion”, this will be a very ordinary work.

There must be humid air, warm sunshine, and laughter at the scene. It’s a comfortable evening, especially in such a big busy city in China as shown in the picture, and I believe such a comfortable time is worth cherishing. I don’t know if the photographer was one of the participants of this waterside “leisure party”, but I am grateful to him and through his photo, I feel that I am involved in this wonderful afternoon.

Selected by judge Oliver Jiang

Photographer: 略商

Location: China

Camera: GR III

Judge: Oliver Jiang

Judge's comment: This photo gave me a deep composition impression from the beginning. Many days after the first screening, I asked myself which photos I still remember, this photo appeared in my mind at first. I seldom simply summarize the principles of composition, but there is no doubt that this is a simple and clean black-and-white work, and I like this unique black-and-white expression of GR. I used to wonder what this thin young man was looking at and thinking, but it suddenly dawned on me that this is exactly what the photographer wanted me to do. Hehehe, well I fell for the trap. An unintentional yet interesting piece.

Selected by judge Rikard Landberg

Photographer: nicole sánchez

Location: Portugal

Camera: GR III

Judge: Rikard Landberg

Judge's comment: There are multiple layers in this image that make me pause and reflect, evoking a sense of mystery. The individual in the shadows seems to escape time, almost like a spirit from another dimension. The city in the background, bustling with motion and life, contrasts sharply with the calm solitude in the foreground. The corridor feels like a metaphor for the soul's journey, a path leading away from the familiar and into the unknown. The black-and-white tones enhance the drama, turning the image into more than just a moment, it becomes a story without words.

Selected by judge Rikard Landberg

Photographer: Eric Lopez

Location: Spain

Camera: GR III

Judge: Rikard Landberg

Judge's comment: CHAOS! But chaos in a good way. There’s so much happening in this image that it almost makes your eyes wander in circles. I think the composition is excellent, with a touch of humor that I truly appreciate. It raises countless questions that let the imagination run wild. Bath time often means kids struggling with soap in their eyes, and they hate it. But what if this foam bomb is their way of turning the tables? With goggles on, the kid becomes a fearless shark in the water, while the adults are left squinting and wiping soap from their faces.The hand in the bottom right corner seems to be trying to stop it all. But is it too late? The white foam acts as a canvas that enhances the scene. Well done!

Selected by judge Rikard Landberg

Photographer: Shiho Ichimura

Location: Japan

Camera: GR10

Judge: Rikard Landberg

Judge's comment: This is an image I find myself returning to again and again. It has something that truly makes me pause for a moment and brings a smile to my face, a metaphor for this year's theme. Just like everyday life can be quite predictable, you might think you know what's hiding under all those layers of newspaper. Or do you? Sure, the shapes and patterns look very familiar. But can we ever be completely certain? Perhaps this wrapped package holds a surprise, something unexpected that breaks the monotony of our all-too-familiar daily life. In the end, it’s a reminder that even in the most predictable moments, there’s always room for the unexpected to reshape our perspective. I really like this one.

Selected by judge Annalaura Pretaroli

Photographer: Jay Melliza

Location: Philippines

Camera: GR III

Judge: Annalaura Pretaroli

Judge's comment: This picture captures a beautiful balance of light and shadow.
The left side of the image is darker, gradually revealing more light on the right: I find it pleasing to the eye. Some leaves might be burning in the background? Or is it just thick mist? The fog does the trick and beautifully enhances the warm sunlight filtering through the branches, adding depth and intrigue to the scene. The viewer wanders in search of details that could explain this beautiful, almost magical, rural scene. The two people in the image blend seamlessly into the composition, allowing the true star -light- to shine!

Selected by judge Hamish Ta-mé

Photographer: Cezar Niculescu

Location: Romania

Camera: GR III

Judge: Hamish Ta-mé

Judge's comment: An intriguing moment in an ordinary day. Like a still from a moody art film, the image takes a mundane stage and populates it with actors, each with their own concerns and lives unfolding. We're presented with multiple leading frames, each with it's own focal point from near mid and distance. This is an exquisite masterclass in observation, anticipation, composition, technical capture, remarkable technology, mood and postproduction.

Selected by judge Michael Young

Photographer: Penphan Tarczaly

Location: Thailand

Camera: GR III

Judge: Michael Young

Judge's comment: This image captures the everyday life of commuting to or from work in an urban setting. The composition, with the vertical panels dividing the frame, creates a sense of order and routine. The figures lined up behind the panels, though blurred, suggest a sense of anonymity and the collective experience of daily routines.

I like the interplay of light and shadow it adds another layer of meaning. The bright light filtering through the panels creates a stark contrast with the darker areas. I like how each individual person stands partially hidden, and obscured, emphasizing anonymity.

The frames within frames, with each panel act as a visual barrier and offer a glimpse into a private moment within a public space. The use of perspective, with the figures seemingly receding into the distance, creates a sense of depth.

Through its careful composition, use of light and shadow, and framing, the photograph invites viewers to contemplate the themes of anonymity, routine, and the juxtaposition of public and private life in the urban landscape. It's a poignant reminder of the ordinary moments that make up the fabric of our daily existence.

Selected by judge Qianqian Zhang

Photographer: 马可风

Location: China

Camera: GR IIIx

Judge: Qianqian Zhang

Judge's comment: The classical beauty of simplicity requires a longer gaze, keep staring a little longer. A good creator can send everything he feels in the present to the future through visual language. Photos speak of the past, but how do people travel between the past and the future?

The fishing net, the boy, and the sea in front of you are surprisingly quiet. Where are they taking you to? Please keep watching, as if you are staring at your deceased self. Time will surrender to the moment when you bend down. The boy is still a boy, but he will say "Forever like the sea will dry and the rocks will fall apart."

People have been salvaging all their lives, salvaging gold, salvaging fish and shrimp, salvaging themselves. What are you salvaging at the moment? Condense "restraint" and "as you wish" with the simplest simple composition, so the viewer can stop for long. There are still many secrets hidden in the picture, waiting for you to discover.

Selected by judge Qianqian Zhang

Photographer: Nicholas Sansone

Location: United States

Camera: GR III

Judge: Qianqian Zhang

Judge's comment: How to praise this moment? Flowers, hugs, and kisses can’t explain the power of life, especially the pain and joy of life. In ancient times people celebrated the birth of a child with fire shouting ceremonies. At this moment, the camera is transmitting and framing all emotions.

How to portray the appearance of loved ones? Printing technologies with ink or oil paint have already reproduced countless faces. The photographer is “portraying” it truly without any interference. The wife waves towards the role of a mother, and the child is at ease. Can you portray such a scene every other year? Because this is painting "home", you will reap the fruit of "love" in 10 years.

How do we "portray" our family in the long and complicated days? Please be brave enough to pick up the camera to record the pain and joy of life in those moments of life and death, just like the warrior in the photo, who loves his family in front of you.