RICOH GRIII - A Morning in Ikebukuro, Tokyo

A morning of street photography in Ikebukuro with my Ricoh GRiii.
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Camera Bodies
My Everyday Compact Camera / Ricoh GRiii - amzn.to/3HWqe2j
My Main Workhorse for Photo & Video / Fujifilm XT-5 - amzn.to/3oYey8Y
POV Camera
My Trusty Action Cam / GoPro Hero 10 - amzn.to/3VT3o1a
Lenses
My Light & Compact Standard Zoom Lens / Sigma 18-50 mm f2.8 - amzn.to/3qCdp7p
My Most Used Prime Lens / Fuji XF 33 mm f1.4 - amzn.to/43xnLnz
My Favorite Focal Length / Fuji XF 56 mm f1.2 - amzn.to/42EHCjw
Perfect for Street & Documentary / Fuji XF 23mm f2 - amzn.to/3NXM0pD
Lens Filters
Perfect for Shooting Video and B-Roll / Moment VND - amzn.to/463b0mq
For Diffusing Light and Blooming / Moment CineBloom 10% - amzn.to/3XfXUhM
Essential Accessories
Camera Neck Strap / Peak Design Leash - amzn.to/42yokfF
Camera Hand Strap / Peak Design Cuff - amzn.to/3NqkBfG
Camera Sling Bag / Peak Design Sling 6L - amzn.to/42BVkDZ
Camera Backpack / Peak Design Everyday 20 L - amzn.to/3XUAi2u
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#streetphotography #ricohgriii #japan

[@monikabrandenstein5011]

I always watch your videos with great interest and always look forward to the moments of discovering special eye candy and picking them out - like these pigeon birds 3:30 do with the grains they find on the ground :-). In this video I particularly want to highlight the moments when approaching the red vertical, with these very nice results: 7:39 - 7:42. But I also like the courage to expose the camera to different perspectives - to put it in angles that appear more extraordinary to the viewing eye. Like here 8:29 - 8:34 - 8:39!!! - 8:41 and so on. For me personally, it seems like a good idea to turn these images into black and white. But in general, I'm noticing more and more that your moving images and the photos taken from them with their flowing transitions create a well-rounded, exciting whole and I enjoy every look. I really like your work with the GR III - I have owned a GR IIIx for a short time and am still in the “practice phase”. One night I even dreamed that I was traveling with the GRIIIx and no matter what I did, I could only take photos where the subjects were only the size of a fingernail, for example just an eye or an elbow or a toe of a person in the middle of a crowd; - ). It may sound anecdotal, but it was almost like a nightmare. I wanted a wider angle and only managed one microscopic view at a time. When I woke up I was glad it was just a dream ;-). These “40mm” really scared me ;-). And in reality I can see it in my results; So far, good things have rarely come of it. I get along much better with 24-100mm. But I hope that it's a matter of time and practice before the 40mm light finally dawns on me. ;-)

[@jamesford_jp]

40 mm is definitely an interesting focal length and used to be my favorite. My problem with it these days is that it’s either never wide enough or it’s not long enough. It’s in an awkward middle ground. While I’ve gotten results I’ve liked with it in the past, these days I’ve gravitated towards even wider lenses. That said, I actually wish the GR came in 35 mm 😅 28 sometimes feels a bit too wide. Have a great weekend :)

[@farisimadifik]

Even up till now, I’m still wondering how does Japan become so photogenic. Everything seems possible to photograph and no matter how, the photos will always looks nice and neat.

[@jamesford_jp]

I think for many people, the wow factor comes from the fact that it's a completely different environment culturally and aesthetically. It's different, and different is always fascinating. I've run into French photographers who've told me how boring Paris is to them and that it doesn’t compare to Tokyo; whereas for me, I would jump at the chance to go there as I think Paris looks like a dream from photos I've seen. But yeah, Japan is a beautiful place with endless photo opportunities :)

[@RolandKaufmann]

Great video, James!! Telephoto lenses are crutches I use all too often as well. I've been trying to layer my photos more even at those longer focal lengths (instead of subject isolation). It has been a really fun challenge and allows me to keep shooting from afar 📷.

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!! Yeah! That's another great way to switch things up and challenge yourself! I’d do that too, but so much of Tokyo is narrow alleys and tight streets so I’ll be better off spending a lot more time with wide angles I think 😅😁

[@123adham456]

Good stuff !

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@andyhoov]

Love the shots with the portrait shots with you subject at the bottom and the buildings rising upwards. I don't think enough street photographers think to capture the verticality of the city like that so it's cool to see you playing around with that idea. Plus, it's another great creative use of the wider focal length. I also get what you mean about the shyness factor. When I was living in Japan it was very much a factor; I didn't want to come across as a weirdo tourist. When I visited on vacation a few months ago, I was much bolder because I truly was that weirdo tourist! Before I never would have though of running around with the 50-140 2.8, but this time I did it and have no regrets! Keep up the great work!

[@jamesford_jp]

Thank you!! I’m glad to hear you had a better run as a tourist! It's definitely a challenge to get close to people to leverage the advantages of a wide angle, but it's also so much more rewarding!

[@ShutterTokyo]

That was very nice, again. Your videos are becoming more and more a piece of art. The background music was very well chosen. This video was actually in my hood. I am there almost daily and recognized all the places. A Ricoh GR 3 is out of the budget for me and I will get a Nikon Coolpix 9, which is quite similar. Thanks again for the video. Really appreciated 👍

[@jamesford_jp]

I’m really happy to hear that! Thank you ☺️ Ikebukuro is a place I've not spent nearly enough time in for how cool of an area it is. Need to return at night one of these days. Hope you enjoy the Nikon! 😄

[@sangfroidstrut]

good stuff dude🙌🏼😎 i can never get over how clean the subways are there…ours are kindaaa 😬 haha

[@jamesford_jp]

Thanks bro! Hahaha yeah, it’s night and day how different the public transportation is between here and back home in the states 😂

[@series25a]

I got a Fujifilm x100v and after watching multiple vids I’m so tempted to trade in my x100v and opt to go for a Ricoh griii instead…. What y’all think??

[@jamesford_jp]

Depends on whether you like the 28 or 35 mm focal length better. 28 is currently my favorite focal length, so the GR is a no-brainer for me. It’s also far more compact and discreet. However, I would recommend renting one or trying it out in store first if you haven’t already.