In this video I return to the streets of Indianapolis for my first street photography walk in 2023, using my new-to-me Ricoh GR, the original.
I wasn't sure what kind of results I was going to get with the Ricoh GR, as I'm used to using the GR III, which is a much more advanced version of the original GR. However, I found I really did not need the bells and whistles that come along with the newer GR III, including the crappy plastic selection wheel on the back of the newer model that went bad on me within a few months of use. There is no plastic wheel on the original Ricoh GR, just a normal, usable selection button that should have been also used on the GR III.
Snap focus on the Ricoh GR allows you to set a focal length and not worry about focusing on your subject, making it the perfect camera for Street Photography, or just walking around snapping photos.
I also did not miss the IBIS feature shooting street, as it's basically not effective over 1/250 of a second shutter anyway. I typically shoot street at 1/500 (you can find my other settings in the beginning of the video), so IBIS isn't important for street as it would be for dusk or low-light shooting.
I went for harsh contrast with this outing, as it was high noon on a very sunny, and unusually warm February afternoon. The sun made for great contrast, but the key is to position yourself in the right place, and wait for people to pass through the space with heavy shadow separating them from the sunlight.
I shoot all my images in RAW, and process in Lightroom. The effect of blacking out the shadows is accomplished mainly by slamming the BLACK slider in Lightroom all the way to the left, leaving the shadows at midpoint, and typically adding some WHITE slider to the right, requiring a bit of LIGHT to be pulled down to the right as needed. Add some BRUSH of black in some of the dark areas to fit your style and that's all that's required. I typically leave contrast at mid-point, or back off a bit, but usually do not increase contrast (as it makes the white areas too washed out and harsh.)
I'll be on the streets a lot more in 2023 as I've rejuvenated my enthusiasm with the purchase of the Ricoh GR, after selling my GR III last year, due to the poorly engineered features on the outside of the camera, and the possiblitity of dust getting into the sensor of a $1,000 camera. I don't mind if it happens to my GR I, as I only paid $300, and don't feel I have to handle it with kidgloves to protect it's delicate exterior. Again, shame on Ricoh for 'upgrading/downgrading' the selection wheel.
You can purchase this camera, or any of the accessories in my description below. Thanks for your support and continued viewing!
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Website - www.DozierGraphic.com
Instagram - / doziergraphic
ebay - www.ebay.com/str/doziergraphic
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Books Published by Jason Dozier on Amazon:
My 100 Top Street Photos from 2021
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Puche': A Collection of Photography by Jason Dozier (My First Book)
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Urban Images: A Collection of Urban & CityScape Photography
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Urban Images: A Collection of B&W Urban and Street Photography
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Equipment used in this video:
(Amazon affiliate links - Any purchase made through these links will give me a small amount)
Ricoh GR III (GR3) - amzn.to/2XZvBqr
Ricoh GR II (GR2) - amzn.to/2DWH5DY
Ricoh GA-1 Adapter - amzn.to/3auyyEr
JJC Metal Thumbs Up Grip - amzn.to/2E4gCVe
LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20II - amzn.to/2FYnsMV
GW-4 21mm Wide Conversion Lens - amzn.to/3akUzFM
Newmowa Li-90B Battery - amzn.to/30Vnq0d
Tiffen 49mm UV Filter - amzn.to/3fOErNS
Fotodiox 7 Metal Step Up Ring Set - amzn.to/33TBlWB
SanDisk 64GB Card - amzn.to/33Z28kq
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Rode Go II Audio Recorder/Transmitter - amzn.to/3qzkhPc
GoPro HERO7 Black - amzn.to/2PNFovl
GoPro Performance Chest Mount - amzn.to/2PP1YDA
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The Stealth Photographer Coffee Mug:
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#ricohgr #streetphotography #ricohgriii