Ricoh GR II in Shanghai: A Night Photography Journal

Introduction

The humid air of Shanghai clung to us as dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple. We were still walking on the street, the sun having just set, casting long shadows that stretched and danced around our feet. The Ricoh GR II, a familiar weight in my hand, was ready to capture the city's transformation.

High-rise buildings, towering headquarters of commerce, began to twinkle with lights. The city, a vast metropolitan area, was shifting from the bustle of daytime to the vibrant energy of night. Commercial buildings, their glass facades reflecting the fading light, took on a new character. We passed landmarks, some adorned with composite materials, others simple, elegant architecture defining the urban landscape.

As true night descended, a new symphony of light and shadow began. Design elements of buildings emerged, highlighted by artificial illumination. Skyscapers pierced the inky sky, and the relentless hum of electricity was a constant companion in this metropolis. Even Brutalist architecture, typically stark in daylight, softened under the glow of the evening. The night deepened, pushing past midnight, yet the city pulsed with life, its commercial buildings and headquarters now aglow, a testament to Shanghai's tireless spirit.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings

Figures

Camera

Ricoh GR II

Lens

GR Lens 18.3mm F2.8

Creative Style

Positive Film

Date

3 July 2025

Location

Shanghai

Photos

Recreation, Trunk, Leisure.#: 1 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 800 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

High-rise building, Evening, Headquarters.#: 2 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Commercial building, Headquarters, Glass.#: 3 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 125 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Daytime, Urban area, Metropolitan area.#: 4 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Daytime, Urban area, City.#: 5 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 100 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Daytime, Architecture, Commercial building.#: 6 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 125 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Commercial building, Headquarters, High-rise building.#: 7 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 250 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Landmark, Composite material, Commercial building.#: 8 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 500 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Landmark, Commercial building, Metropolitan area.#: 9 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 640 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Landmark, Commercial building, Metropolitan area.#: 10 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 560 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Sky, Skyscraper, Daytime.#: 11 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Design, Evening.#: 12 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 560 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Sky, Daytime, Building.#: 13 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 500 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Architecture, Composite material, Brutalist architecture.#: 14 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 500 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Evening, Midnight.#: 15 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 560 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Commercial building, Design.#: 16 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Composite material, Commercial building, Night.#: 17 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Commercial building, Evening.#: 18 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 800 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Metropolis, Electricity.#: 19 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 800 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

Night, Metropolitan area, Metropolis.#: 20 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 800 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm

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