Street Photography

In the chaos of the streets, I find poetry in every frame.

Embark on a modest exploration of everyday moments through my lens. In my street photography, I humbly attempt to capture the subtle poetry hidden in the mundane. From quiet gestures to overlooked scenes, I invite you to join me in discovering the unassuming beauty that resides in the simplicity of our urban surroundings. It’s a humble journey through the streets, where each frame reflects the unpretentious charm of ordinary life.

“Street photography is the art of observation, anticipation and imagination, combined with the science of composition.”
— Polly Rusyn

What qualifies as street photograph?

(typically) covers candid, unposed, spontaneous moments of everyday life in public spaces, without the subjects being aware of the camera;
captures interaction between people and their surroundings (or their belongings);
(often) has a story to convey an emotion, and elicits some some sort of reaction in viewer’s gut and heart;
has an element of spontaneity, uncertainty or serendipity;
can also be devoid of people, or only cover things (i.e., still life street photography);
has an urban (sub-urban or rural) element in it;
can be a shot taken anywhere so long as it is open to the public to enter and leave as they please and need not necessarily have a street in the frame;
can sometimes be be unclear, blurry or abstract as well;
can also be a posed portrait of an unknown person (taken with consent) in public space (i.e., street portraits);
above all, stir our soul making us think about humanity and pay attention to subtle, underrated beauties of everyday life that we often tend to overlook or pass up for granted.

Now that you know the broad rules, let’s forget the fuss over defining street photography and bend the rules as and when needed for the sake of capturing the human story in all its glory! What really matters is our shared love for capturing life’s quirks, not just pretty sunsets.

What is not a street photograph?

staged or heavily posed scenes;
images taken in private spaces or in a person’s home;
photojournalistic or documentary images aimed at reportage;
architectural (buildings, man-made structures, monuments, etc.) or urban landscape images, completely devoid of human interaction;
landscape images (whether with or without people) showing beauty of nature;
glamourized (or studio) photographs.

Camera and Lenses I recommend for street photography.

Lumix S5 Mark II (smaller size)
Lumix 50mm F1.8 lens (smaller + lighter + excellent low-light performance + sharp = my lens of choice)
Lumix 35mm F1.8 lens (smaller + lighter + excellent low-light performance)

Mumbai Chapter

Dive into the soul of Mumbai’s bustling streets and timeless architectural heritage through my lens. In this collection, I seek to encapsulate the vibrant spirit of the city, from the lively markets to the architectural marvels that stand as a testament to Mumbai’s rich history. Each photograph tells a story of resilience, diversity, and the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity. Join me on a visual journey that celebrates the unique blend of culture and architecture that defines the heart of Mumbai.

Explore Here

Street Photography Project

Street Vendors of India

Immerse yourself in the vibrant streets of India through my street photography project, focusing on the resilient and culturally rich world of street vendors. Each frame captures the essence of urban life, revealing the ingenuity and spirit of these unsung heroes and narrating a story of everyday resilience and cultural vibrancy.

See Project

Bihar Chapter

Embark on a visual exploration of the vibrant tapestry of Bihar, with a focus on the bustling streets of its capital, Patna. In this collection, I aim to spotlight the captivating narratives of everyday life, with a special emphasis on the spirited street vendors. Through my lens, witness the dynamic interplay of colors, cultures, and the untold stories etched within the lively markets and street corners of this historically rich state.

Explore Here

Street Photography

The Staircase

Welcome to “The Staircase” – a monochromatic exploration of silhouetted figures against the timeless allure of staircases. In this black-and-white photo blog, each image captures the essence of movement, mystery, and the beauty found in the play of light and shadow.

See Post

Blog Posts

From Passion to Purpose: Why You Must Pursue Personal Photography Projects
As a photographer, I always underestimated the power of ‘body of work’ and long term projects. However, through reading literature and engaging in photography courses, I am more than convinced that if I have to really grow as an artist, I must move beyond capturing isolated images and instead focusContinue reading “From Passion to Purpose: Why You Must Pursue Personal Photography Projects”
The Anatomy of a Strong Street Photograph
1. THE BODY: AESTHETICS Strong composition and great aesthetics are crucial in street photography as they elevate an image beyond mere documentation, transforming it into a visual narrative that resonates with viewers. It is more so because, street photographs are always of ordinary and mundane subjects, to begin with. TheseContinue reading “The Anatomy of a Strong Street Photograph”
Brian L. Duckett’s Mastering Street Photography: Book Review & Notes
Discover insights and reflections as I delve into Brian Lloyd-Duckett’s acclaimed work, ‘Mastering Street Photography,’ completed this month. A captivating international best-seller, this debut book by the author promises a journey through the art of street photography and leaves a lasting impression on enthusiasts worldwide. In this blog post, I’llContinue reading “Brian L. Duckett’s Mastering Street Photography: Book Review & Notes”
Eric Kim’s 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography: Book Review & Notes
This book is an amazing compilation of learnings from the masters of street photography. While the book heavily relies on the quoted lines from several stalwarts of street photography, it nonetheless offers great learning as a whole when put together. From flow perspective, I found, some of the similar conceptsContinue reading “Eric Kim’s 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography: Book Review & Notes”
From Obstacles to Masterpieces: Navigating Street Photography Challenges
Challenge #1: The Problem of Plenty. The moment you head out with your camera for street photography, the world opens up with infinite possibilities with anything and everything ready to be photographed. The biggest challenge one has to face is, how do you decide what to click in a vastContinue reading “From Obstacles to Masterpieces: Navigating Street Photography Challenges”
Street Photography Now: Book Review & Notes
Street Photography Now by Sophie Howarth and Stephen Mclaren was my second book on street photography. The book, at once, seemed too big for me to finish, but it was not at all text heavy. Firstly, it is not a book on “how to do street photography” and assumes prior knowledgeContinue reading “Street Photography Now: Book Review & Notes”
Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Street Photography: Book Review & Notes
What I learnt from this book Human Element Include human or evidence of human interaction. Composition Aspect Great composition can salvage poor light. What to look for? Subject Selection Camera Settings Book Response The book has received positive reviews from readers on both Amazon and Goodreads. The book has anContinue reading “Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Street Photography: Book Review & Notes”
The Staircase
“Often, what seems like an impossible climb is just a staircase without the steps drawn in.” ― Robert Brault Shot on Panasonic Lumix S1 with 24-105mm F4.0 lensShutter Speed 1/320 s | Aperture F14.0 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 24mm