Inspired by Moriyama

Francesca Grima draws inspiration from Daidō Moriyama for a series of photographs

Upon seeing Japanese photographer Daidō Moriyama's work for the first time a few years ago, I was struck by his raw, high-contrast images.

I was particularly drawn to his depictions of women in tights, where smooth skin meets the geometric patterns of fishnets, creating a striking contrast between softness and structure. The way he played with light, shadow, and grain added an almost tactile quality to his images, making them feel intimate yet enigmatic.

Moriyama’s work walks a fine line between provocation and restraint—suggestive without being explicit, always leaving room for interpretation. This delicate balance fascinated me.

Inspired by his aesthetic and approach, I set out to explore similar themes in my own photography. I was particularly interested in the interplay of texture and form, and how different materials could interact to create visual tension. I experimented with composition, using jewellery as a focal point against the natural curves of the body, and incorporating fishnets to introduce an additional layer of depth and complexity.

Shooting alone, I decided to embrace an unpolished, instinctive approach. Rather than striving for technical perfection, I welcomed slight imperfections—some frames emerged slightly out of focus, but instead of seeing this as a flaw, I viewed it as an enhancement. The softness added a dreamlike quality, a sense of fleeting beauty that mirrored the mood I wanted to convey. The result is a series that, to me, embodies the delicate tension between structure and fluidity, sharpness and softness—a visual language that speaks to both the material and the intangible.

Above: 'Elegance' Watch, 1970

Photography by Francesca Grima