A Quiet Sunday in Huizhou: Capturing Cafe Charm with the Ricoh GR II

Introduction

The Huizhou cafe provided a tranquil retreat on a cloudy Sunday, its quiet corner filled with the soothing aromas of aged wood and fresh espresso. The soft, contemplative grey light was perfect for a slow afternoon, and I utilized the Ricoh GR II's Positive Film creative style to infuse a subtle warmth into the scene.

Inside the Cafe: Textures and Still Life

The interior light was consistently gentle, highlighting the cafe's unhurried rhythm. My focus was drawn to simple, silent still-life elements. Two green vases, one on a ledge and another near the counter, created a subtle pairing, complemented by a solitary white vase on a nearby wooden table reflecting the room’s muted palette.

The main space was a compelling study in contrast, where a wooden floor met a brick wall, fostering an atmosphere that felt both industrial and cozy. A mirror subtly connected the indoors to the exterior with its reflection of a potted plant. A large wooden table, chairs, and a bench sat waiting, while outside on the wooden deck, another set of furniture stood patiently beneath the grey sky.

In a quieter niche, a window framed a perfect vignette: a vase of flowers set against the soft backdrop of the cloudy day.

Street Views and Domestic Details

Stepping outside, the street had its own slow Sunday energy. A group was engaged in easy sidewalk conversation. Nearby, a woman in a red shirt sold Tong Sui, the sweet dessert's steam mingling with the cool air. An unexpected detail, a small elephant statue, charmingly stood guard next to a tree.

Returning indoors, my attention shifted to intimate, domestic settings. A table was decorated with flowers and plants. I spotted a small statue of a frog with a red leaf perched nearby, a tiny indoor echo of autumn. In a darker corner, a person was seated at a table, their small candle flame battling the shadow. A pot of plump, inviting grapes rested on another surface. The patio, with its wooden floor and brick wall, mirrored the interior's pleasant textures. I moved in close to capture a plant with red and green leaves, the camera's simulation defining the colors despite the ambient muted light.

Conclusion: Captured Comfort

The afternoon concluded on the patio, where a bunch of plants in a pot offered one last green detail. The final images perfectly captured the cafe's comforting charm: a small rabbit statue resting on a pile of rocks, and a pot of plants near the washbasin bringing life to the utilitarian space. It was a simple, quiet Sunday, perfectly observed and documented through the GR II’s lens.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings

Figures

Camera

Ricoh GR II

Lens

GR Lens 18.3mm F2.8

Creative Style

Positive Film

Date

30 November 2025

Location

Huizhou, Guangdong, China

Downloads

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Photos

#: 1 | SS: 1/90s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A couple of vases sitting on a shelf

#: 2 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A green vase sitting on a ledge next to a green vase

#: 3 | SS: 1/50s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A white vase sitting on top of a wooden table

#: 4 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A mirror with a pot of plants in it

#: 5 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A room with a wooden floor and a brick wall

#: 6 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A wooden table with chairs and a bench

#: 7 | SS: 1/180s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A wooden table and chairs on a wooden deck

#: 8 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A room with a window and a vase of flowers

#: 9 | SS: 1/500s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A group of people sitting on a sidewalk

#: 10 | SS: 1/160s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A woman wearing a red shirt selling Tong Sui

#: 11 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A wooden chair sitting next to a tree

#: 12 | SS: 1/45s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 28mm | Caption: A vase of flowers and plants on a table

#: 13 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A small statue of a fog with a red leaf

#: 14 | SS: 1/45s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -1.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A person sitting at a table with a candle in their hand

#: 15 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A pot of grapes is sitting on a table

#: 16 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A patio with a wooden floor and a brick wall

#: 17 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A close up of a plant with red and green leaves

#: 18 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A small rabbit sitting on a pile of rocks

#: 19 | SS: 1/45s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.7 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A room with a sink and a pot of plants

#: 20 | SS: 1/20s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A bunch of plants in a pot on a patio

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