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 Photography?
While there is no straight-jacketed definition of ‘street photography’, the following pointers may help you identify what shots you can put under this genre.
- (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.
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.
Mumbai Chapter
Dive into the soul of Mumbai’s bustling streets through my lens. In this collection, I seek to encapsulate the vibrant spirit of the city. Each photograph tells a story of resilience, diversity, and the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity. Join me on a visual journey that defines the heart of Mumbai.
Bihar Chapter
Embark on a visual exploration of the vibrant tapestry of Bihar, with a focus on the bustling streets of its capital, Patna. I aim to spotlight the captivating narratives of everyday life, with emphasis on the spirited street vendors. Witness the dynamic interplay of colors, cultures, and the untold stories etched within the lively markets and street corners of this historically rich state.
Street is their Stage
Covering the Street Vendors of India, this project is a candid and colorful tribute to the resilient figures who animate the country’s streets. Through intimate, layered street photography, this series celebrates their daily grind, hidden joys, and entrepreneurial spirit. Beyond commerce, it reveals their human stories—offering viewers a fresh lens into the unsung pulse of India’s urban life.
Crafted in Silence
The project is a monochrome exploration of India’s visual artisans—the silent guardians of culture and tradition. Stripping away color, each image unveils the raw essence of craftsmanship, reverence, and resilience. Through hands, faces, and sacred workspaces, this series pays tribute to the enduring spirit behind India’s art forms, often unseen but deeply alive.
Unearthing Forgotten Narratives
“Unearthing Forgotten Narratives” is a street photography project capturing defunct and discarded urban objects—rusted, broken, once useful—now ignored. Through intimate, close frames with a 50mm lens, the project evokes metaphors of transience, decay, and quiet resilience. In each forgotten item, it challenges viewers to find meaning, beauty, and social commentary within urban neglect.
Between Glass and Gravity
Between Glass and Gravity examines the quiet labour of glass-cleaning workers in red uniforms, suspended high above the street. Through reflections, repetition, and scale, the series foregrounds dignity, risk, and invisibility—revealing human presence etched onto the city’s surface, where work unfolds between transparency and gravity, order and vulnerability.
Street in Black & White
Blog Posts
Masterful Monochrome: Interview with Award-Winning Photographer Helena Georgiou
Meet the incredibly talented Cyprus-based photographer whose black-and-white street photography will stop you in your tracks! With numerous awards under her belt, she’s exhibited her work at iconic venues like the European Parliament and Somerset House, London. Her captivating shots have graced galleries in Cyprus, Belgium, the UK, Austria, and Germany, and her name is…
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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 focus on curating a collection that…
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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. These aesthetic elements could be line,…
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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’ll be your tour guide through…
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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 vast world (street) brimming with countless…
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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 knowledge of the subject. It is…
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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 an average rating of 4.20 out of 5 on Goodreads,…
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Books I recommend
– Street Photography Now
– 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
My Book Reviews
– Understanding Street Photography (Bryan Peterson)
– Street Photography Now ( Sophie Howarth and Stephen Mclaren)
– 100 Lessons from the Masters of Street Photography (Eric Kim)
Book Reviews by Others
– The Mind’s Eye (Henri Cartier-Bresson)
– Street Photography, Creative Vision Behind the Lens (Valérie Jardin)
– The Street Photographer’s Manual (David Gibson)
– Street Photography: A History in 100 Iconic Images (David Gibson)
Photogs/Blogs to Follow
– Moments Collective
– The Pictorial List
– Ovidiu Șelaru
– Mark Fearnley
– Sean Tucker
– Eric Kim
– Olga Karlovac
Insightful Articles
– 7 Lessons Harry Callahan Has Taught Me About Street Photography (and Life)
– What is Street Photography? – Learning the Sensibility and Techniques, from Beginner to Advanced
– A Definition of Street Photography
– A History of Famous Street Photographers
Interviews
– Eric Kim
– Ovidiu Șelaru
– Vineet Vohra
– Mark Seymour
– Vipin Singh
– Prashant Godbole
– Navin Vatsa
– Dimpy Bhalotia
Creative Genes 