The Ultimate Ricoh GR Street Photography Tutorial

What’s Poppin, People?

It’s Dante. Today, I’m giving you the ultimate Ricoh GR street photography tutorial. I’m breaking down:

My camera settings
My workflow
Behind-the-scenes video of my technique
How I work the scene and compose my shots

By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to use the Ricoh GR to its maximum potential and create better photographs.

Why the Ricoh GR?

“The closest thing to not having a camera is the Ricoh. The closest thing to not existing is practicing street photography.”

Shooting with a compact, discreet camera like the Ricoh GR means the camera becomes an extension of your eye and hand. You’re not an obvious photographer with a big DSLR around your neck. Instead, you’re a tourist in your hometown, a bystander of life.

I always wonder: What would Eugene Atget have done with a Ricoh? Imagine him roaming 19th-century Paris with a 28mm compact digital camera instead of a wooden bellows camera and 18×24 glass plates.

The Philosophy: A Tool for Intuition

“Photography has nothing to do with photography—it has everything to do with how you engage with humanity.”

The Ricoh eliminates decision fatigue:

No viewfinder → Forces you to compose through the LCD screen
Fixed lens → No need to choose a focal length
Small and discreet → People don’t notice it as much

Embracing the Snapshot Approach

No more “putting on your photographer hat.” Just go out and live—bring the camera along for the ride.
You don’t need to “get in the zone”—you’re already there.
This camera allows pure intuition, so you can react fluidly and seamlessly to life as it unfolds.

Camera Settings Breakdown

Aperture Priority Mode (Av) or P Mode

Aperture: f/8
ISO: Auto
Snap Focus: 2 meters
Minimum Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
Metering Mode: Highlight-weighted
File Format: Small JPEG (for speed & efficiency)

“P mode is for professionals.”

Everything is set and forget—you can just focus on composition and timing.

Techniques for the Streets

1. The Tourist Technique

Pretend you’re photographing something in the background.
Tilt the camera upward at architecture, then quickly down to your subject.
Makes you blend in—people assume you’re just a curious traveler.

2. The Magic Wand Grip

Hold the camera loosely with your middle finger on the shutter.
Allows faster horizontal-to-vertical transitions.
More fluid, intuitive, and reactive.

3. The T-Rex Technique

Hold the camera close to your chest, arms bent like a T-Rex.
No eye contact with subjects—observe peripherally.
Looks so obvious that it becomes stealthy.

Exposure Trick: Locking in Shadows

“Expose for the highlights, crush the shadows.”

With Highlight-Weighted Metering, your camera exposes for the brightest parts of the frame, which sometimes makes shadows too dark. Quick fix:

Point the camera at a shadowed area.
Half-press the shutter to lock exposure.
Reframe towards the main subject and shoot.

Composition Breakdown

Rome: Chasing Light at the Colosseum

I kept returning to this same street because I knew it had potential. Here’s how I built the frame:

Background → The Colosseum, perfectly positioned.

Middle Ground → Dramatic shadows on the wall.

Foreground → Waiting for a subject to enter, adding depth.

By stacking elements this way, you get a layered, dynamic composition.

Daily Workflow & Publishing Photos

Speed & Simplicity

iPad Pro + USB-C Card Reader for quick imports.
Google Photos & WordPress for fast backups & publishing.
No RAW files—only straight-out-of-camera JPEGs.

Delete Instagram. Own Your Platform.

“You need an Instagram account to see an Instagram account. But anyone can visit your website.”

Instead of chasing likes, build your own photo archive.

Get a domain → FirstnameLastname.com
Use WordPress (Astra theme)
Post your best shots daily

Ricoh GR III vs. Ricoh GR IIIX

Feature	Ricoh GR III (28mm)	Ricoh GR IIIX (40mm)
Focal Length	28mm	40mm
Ease of Use	More forgiving	Tighter framing
Best For	Street photography, candid moments	More precise compositions

“The Ricoh GR III is easier, more versatile, and the best option for most street photographers.”

Final Thoughts: Just Shoot

“The goal of a photographer is simple: increase your curiosity by 1% each day.”

Treat photography like a muscle—train daily.
Go out, shoot more, worry less.
Your next photo is your best photo.

If you found this tutorial helpful, check out my work at dantesisofo.com and my YouTube channel for more insights.

Now that the sun is up, it’s time to grab the Ricoh and hit the streets. Peace.