Daido Moriyama: A Retrosepctive - Short Book Review

Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective

 Daido Moriyama a Japanese Photographer that needs no introduction and has had a profound influence on my very own photographic style has had countless books published. Some of the rarer ones sell for large sums outside of Japan, but you can get some of the more common globally available books for a reasonable price.

I think it is incredibly important to have some influences in your work that have come from the masters. Books are a superb and cost effective way to get a close look at their work, study at close quarters and evaluate and see how this sort of work could be incorporated in your own?

I have the latest Daido Moriyama book "A Retrospective" and we will have a closer look to see what you get and what it is all about. No photos from this book for obvious reasons apart from the cover.

Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective

Pages: 288
Photos: 250
Print Quality: Astounding
Black and White Yes mainly
Colour: Yes about 10%
Technique Insight: A definite NO
Period Covered: All his work over 60+ years a sort of greatest hits
Recommended for: Daido newcomers to his work, it's highly recommended as a good starting point and a gateway to other books.
Organised by: Mainly the Daido Moriyama Foundation
Weight 1.2kg
Copy: Hard cover
Official Price £45
Released June 2023

INTRO 

I was impressed with the book. I paid £32 brand new, if you can wait..weeks..it's £28 on eBay. Worth every penny. It's in chronological order. Some of the earlier photos a blind person could read them, you can feel the textures when you run your hand over the photos. Something you don't get from a computer screen. A bit like running your hands over an oil painting but not quite so pronounced. The later work is just like smooth sand paper.

QUALITY

The binding of the book is solid and the paper quality is up there. I think this book was issued alongside the Exhibition of the same name. The text gives some background on Daido Moriyama with a few words from the man himself but don't expect any cards on the table inside information on how he arrives at these photos. He's a closed book this one. There are a few pages of contact prints so you can see his process.

INSIDE INFO?

The only way you will get some inside info is study his earlier work, look at the light in the scene, think how a camera would meter that scene (regardless of meter mode) then look at the picture again. You will then have your answer. Page 74 is a good example of this. Negative agitation, processing times and temperature, selective development will give you that look, I just don't think you can get that in camera. If you want confirmation of that check his b&w digital work and there is your answer again. Some of his earlier prints HE can't replicate, modern day labs have been approached and they say they can't do it either, according to the book Daido Moriyama A Retrospective. That puts things into perspective how complex his work is.

INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND

All I can say what I know he shot film SLR's prior to the Ricoh GR film camera with Kodak Tri X 400 box speed pushed two stops to 1600 to get that grain and high contrast. His digital work varies but Nikon Coolpix S7000 and Nikon Coolpix S9100 (apparently the colour work) seem to be his main choices for many years. He has played around with many others. All compacts. Digital processing probably Silver Efex, film is a mystery? Printing apparently he used special very black inks. Camera settings and the rest haven't got a clue. That's it. If you want more then this video will give you more jigsaw pieces but you are not going to replicate this man!

VIDEO: Daido Moriyama - Near Equal - Photographic Documentaries #22

EXTRA

Personally I think his black and white work casts a large shadow over his colour work but that's just my opinion. He is in his mid eighties now and apparently still out there walking the streets with camera in hand and shooting.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

If you are a hardcore Daido fan then NO you will have seen this work before in other books.
If you want creative inspiration then YES it doesn't get any better than this book if you are a black and white shooter. This book will open creative doors you didn't know existed.
If you are looking for inside tips on technique, camera used, settings then NO this book will disappoint.
If you want to see a Daido Moriyama exhibition in book form to just sit down at home and appreciate his work for what it is then YES this is for you.
If you are looking to copy or replicate his work, this book will get you half way if you are lucky, but ask yourself why would you want to be known as a copier of Daido Moriyama.

OTHER BOOKS

If his work chimes and resonates with you, he has stacks more books numbering well over 150 or more spanning different time periods in his career. "The World Through My Eyes" is another recommended book and earlier greatest hits with many different shots and reasonably priced although apparently the binding or spine is not great. I don't own that book that info is based on online reviews.

The small paper backs get mediocre reviews. "How I Take Photos" gets mixed reviews and only scratches the surface but it is cheap compared to others. Then it's onto £50+, £100+ and onwards with most of these books coming from Japan. "Farewell Photography" a sort of photo accident book when released got a poor reception, now it's a collectors item? A Red Cover book by Daido (name escapes) which I read in a library 2 years ago (my first introduction to his work) was on eBay for £90 used and it went in a day or two. After reading that book I remember saying the words "What on Earth". I wasn't ready to see such images but now I am.

CONCLUSION

I have a photo book collection of just three! Daido Moriyama A Retrospective is one of those three and a recent addition. If you want to be beaten over the head with a baseball bat on every page turn, you've found your book. Word of warning after seeing this work, it will make your own work and others seem rather dull in comparison regardless of your ability. He's out there and even now there is nothing quite like it. You can try and copy it like countless others, my advice is appreciate it for what it is and use it for advanced inspiration to get your own uni