Eric Kim, a prominent street photographer, has long championed the Ricoh GR series (like the GR II or GR III) as an ideal tool for capturing candid moments of people in everyday life. His approach emphasizes boldness, empathy, technical simplicity, and constant practice to overcome the fear of photographing strangers. Below, I’ll outline key tips drawn from his teachings, tailored for using the Ricoh GR. These focus on mindset, camera settings, and techniques to help you shoot “everyone” – from strangers on the street to dynamic urban scenes – without feeling intrusive. 20 12 13
1. Master the Mindset: Overcome Fear and Build Confidence
- Be honest about your nerves: When approaching someone, admit if you’re feeling anxious – e.g., “I’m a bit nervous to ask, but I love your style and would like to take your photo.” This builds empathy and often leads to yeses, as people relate to vulnerability. 20
- Start small and practice daily: Begin by photographing friends or family to build comfort, then move to strangers in busy areas. Kim stresses that social skills trump technical ones – the more you interact, the better you get at reading body language and spotting “decisive moments.” 28 27
- Don’t always ask permission: For candid shots, shoot first if the scene feels right (ethically and legally, in public spaces). If noticed, smile, compliment them, and offer to delete if they’re uncomfortable. Kim advocates for this to capture authentic emotions. 21
2. Optimal Ricoh GR Settings for Street Shooting
- Keep it simple and fast: Set your GR to Program (P) mode, ISO 1600 (for flexibility in varying light), center-point autofocus, and snap mode for quick focusing at a preset distance (e.g., 2-3 meters for street scenes). Shoot in RAW + high-contrast black and white JPEG for that classic street look – Kim loves this for its elegance in “boring” places. 13 11
- Underexpose slightly: In bright daylight, underexpose by 2/3 stop to preserve highlights and add mood. Use the 28mm lens (or 40mm on GR IIIx) for wide-angle compositions that include context around people. 23
- Burst mode for action: Fire off 6-7 shots in burst, then stack them later in editing software for sharper results in dynamic scenes with moving people. 19
3. Techniques for Capturing People
- Get close and low: Use the GR’s compact size to your advantage – it’s inconspicuous and pocketable, perfect for low-key shooting. Crouch or shoot from hip level to make subjects appear more heroic or intimate. Pretend to photograph something else nearby to frame your real subject in the wide angle. 22 21 12
- Look for emotion and stories: Scan for body language, facial expressions, or interactions. Kim advises being quick – spot the moment, compose, and shoot. In crowds, focus on “everyone” by layering foreground and background elements for depth. 27
- Talk to strangers post-shot: After capturing a candid, engage: “I just took your photo because [compliment]. Can I show you?” This turns potential tension into connection and might lead to more posed shots. 25 26
- Always carry your camera: Kim’s mantra – the GR’s portability means you can shoot spontaneously at weddings, parks, or commutes. This ensures you never miss “all” the opportunities around you. 18 10
4. General Inspiration from Kim
- Shoot prolifically: The more photos, the better you get. Don’t fear bad shots – edit ruthlessly later. 23
- Experiment without overstudying: For your first year, just shoot freely with the GR before diving deep into theory. 10
- Find your Zen: Photography is about self-discovery, not just the image. Use the GR’s monochrome mode to simplify and focus on contrasts in human stories. 8 1
Kim’s influence has popularized the Ricoh GR among street photographers for its affordability, sharpness, and stealth – many credit him with bringing this style to wider audiences via his blog, YouTube, and workshops. 6 3 Start with these, hit the streets, and iterate based on what feels natural to you. If you’d like video examples or specific GR presets, let me know!