Chor Bazaar Street Photography Workshop: Gear, Apps, and Intention
Sunday, Nov 30 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Mumbai
Chor Bazaar scene, 2017. By Craig Boehman
Introduction
Dear Workshop Attendees,
For those of you I haven’t met yet, I’m Craig Boehman. I’ve been working as a photographer since 2015, and it all started here in Mumbai. My first real gig was having one of my Mumbai images commissioned for the cover for the (November 2015 issue) German edition of Le Monde Diplomatique. Since then, I’ve been deep into street photography, leading workshops in Mumbai and internationally, and in recent years, creating fine art work that often begins on the street.
This workshop is based on something I’ve had to work on myself over the years. Shooting with intention. Actually learning to do that. That’s the core idea I want to share with you.
Most of the photographers I teach are visitors. They book private sessions. They fly in from Europe or the US, bring their expensive gear, and mostly know exactly what they’re doing. They’re a pleasure to work with. But this time, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to open a door to local photographers here in Mumbai. Photographers who might not have had access to this kind of hands-on instruction or who are just figuring things out. Whether that means learning the basics of street photography or understanding which photo editing apps are worth your time, this workshop is for you.
We’ll focus on candid street photography with a clear purpose. Everything we shoot will be done with editing in mind. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a phone or a camera. What matters is knowing your gear and understanding your workflow. That kind of thinking will push your photography forward in every genre, not just on the street.
And this is important. We are not doing a tour of Chor Bazaar. This is not a sightseeing walk. This is a workshop in one of my favorite places to shoot in the city. We’ll be working the location with intention, not just wandering through it.
What We’re Not Doing
We’re not walking around like a pack of rabid street photography tourists. You won’t be standing behind me, waiting to shoot the same subject I just did. That’s not learning, that’s mimicry. It ruins the scene and the vibe. I’ve taken workshops like that, and I hated it. We’re not doing that here.
We’re not doing posed street portraits. No walking up to strangers and asking, “Can I take your photo?” That’s a different game. It’s valid, and I do it now and then, but it’s not what this workshop is about. It doesn’t challenge you to see or anticipate. We’re here to chase real moments.
What We Are Doing
We’re shooting candid street photography. You’ll learn both the chase method and the fishing technique. I’ll explain how and when to use each.
You’ll shoot solo and in pairs. Small groups or solo movement is the only way this works. We’re not going to clog the streets as one big crowd. This is about your photos, not mine. I’ll float between participants and work with you directly as needed.
After the workshop, anyone who wants personalized feedback can send me a few of their best edited shots. We’ll schedule a short Zoom session for review.
Meeting Spot: McDolands
We will meet at the McDonald’s on Mohammed Ali Rd.
Sunday, November 30th, 10am.
What to Bring
Bring your camera phone or camera
Be sure to charge your batteries and come with the ample storage on your phones or with the appropriate storage cards for your camera.
Wear comfortable shoes
Carry water and snacks (water and drinks available at shops too)
Get Your Main Photo Editing App Sorted
Too many times I’ve met photographers who have no idea what app or software they’ll be using to edit their photos. That’s a problem. If you’re serious about your work, you need to sort this out before you ever hit the shutter.
There are plenty of options out there, for iPhone, Android, and desktop. Some are free. Some are paid. I’m not asking anyone to spend money they don’t have, but I am expecting you to be prepared.
If you already have your editing tools figured out, great. If not, I’ll walk you through a few solid, free options for both mobile and desktop. I’ll also share what I personally use on iOS and on my desktop workflow.
This is part of the process. Shooting with editing in mind only works if you know what your editing tools are.
The Best Free App for Mobile (iOS and Android)
Snapseed. This is an easy decision if you’re shooting with a phone that’s capable of shooting in the Raw format. Of course too, you can use it to edit JPEGs. I’ve used Snapseed almost exclusively when I was shooting on Android phones. Since switching to iOS, I use other apps but I still have Snapseed on my phone to revisit a great app that’s actually fun to use.
The Best Paid App for Mobile (iOS and Android)
There are a million paid apps or freemium apps out there. If you’re already using one, fantastic. But I will recommend one that transcends platforms, and is, in my opinion at least, the best overall app for both iOS and Android:
Lightroom Mobile. I talk about this app in my article Apple Gave You a Pro Camera—Lightroom Mobile Lets You Actually Use It. In short, it allows you to edit Raw images and be able to shoot utilizing manual controls like shutter speed and ISO. If you already have the Adobe Photography subscription, then this app makes sense.
The Three Free Desktop Editing Apps
I’ve put three on the list. One of them, I’ve used in the past and can vouch for as far as a powerful Raw editor that makes use of layers:
GIMP. This app has been around for a long time. I used it before I ever bought into a subscription with Adobe. It can perform most of the important features that you need in a professional photo editor without paying the price. If you’re new to photo editing, there’s a steep learning curve that I think applies to most of us. It won’t be easy to figure out, but it will prove very much usable once you get the hang of it and until you decide whether or not to buy into a subscription or purchase photo editing software.
There are two other popular free desktop apps out there, but I can’t personally vouch for using them. But feel fee to try them out too and see if any one of them works better for you.
I’ll emphasize that if you’re shooting Raw, you should be using a Raw photo editor. I’ll also highly recommend that if you’re using a camera capable of Raw shooting, then you should be shooting in Raw.
I foresee if you haven’t edited Raw photos in the past, there may be a fundamental issue with my recommendations. They may not be usable in the near future because these apps take practice to learn. Therefore, if you already have apps that edits regular JPEGs and you’re comfortable using, stick with it for now and try the above later. The most important thing is to come to the workshop knowing exactly what you’re going to be doing with your photos aftward.
The Paid Apps I Use and Can Recommend
Once again, if you already using software you own, then you’re good to go. But for those of you who would like some solid recommendations, then I’ll recommend the Adobe Photography Subscription in the Creative Cloud, that includes all the Lightroom apps and Photoshop. I’m sorry, but the most expensive and premium option out there is the best overall as far as features and capabilities.
Skylum’s Luminar Neo is a distant second as for my recommendation for a Raw editor (because they currently don’t have Layers) and a highly recommended creative finisher if you’re using it as a plugin. I use Luminar Neo in almost every image I shoot these days. Neo has become especially important to my fine art images. I’ll include the expected warning that I’m a Skylum affiliate and would get a kickback if you purchase the software using my link.
My Ask
Please have your app sorted before coming to the workshop. If you need any help at all, please get in touch and I’d be happy to discuss your options.
What Does Shooting for Post Mean?
Most photographers shoot first and figure it out later. That’s lazy, and it shows. If you know how you plan to edit an image before you even press the shutter, you start making better decisions immediately. You compose with purpose. You expose based on the final look you want. You pick subjects that make sense for the outcome you are after.
This mindset is what separates snapshots from serious work. It demands intention, not luck. Below are examples that show exactly what it means to shoot with editing already in mind.
Framing for Instagram formats: Shoot in 4:5 or square to minimize cropping later and control composition for vertical feeds.
High-contrast black and white: Visualizing the final image in monochrome, whether applying an in-camera B&W mode or editing in post. Look for light/shadow interplay, not color.
Composite work for fine art photographing: Separate elements or individuals you plan to blend into a single image later.
ICM (Intentional Camera Movement): Shooting with long exposures and movement, knowing you’re creating abstract or painterly effects by design.
Bracketing exposures for HDR: Capturing multiple exposures knowing you’ll merge them for dynamic range in post.
Shooting for texture overlays: Photographing surfaces (grit, rust, cracked walls) to use as future texture layers in your fine art composites.
Flat lighting for retouch flexibility: Shooting portraits with soft light to avoid harsh shadows that limit post-processing options.
Negative space planning for type or layout: Leaving room in the frame where you know you’ll place text or graphic design elements.
Color grading targets: Shooting with intentional color contrast (like teal/orange setups) that will be pushed even further in post.
Silhouette intent: Backlighting a subject, knowing you’ll deepen the blacks in post for a cleaner silhouette.
Panorama stitching: Shooting overlapping frames you intend to stitch together later for a wide composition.
Focus stacking for macro or product work: Capturing multiple shots at different focus points with the plan to blend them for full sharpness.
Shooting with post in mind is about control. You are not just reacting to the scene. You are shaping the final image before it even exists. Whether you are using a phone or a full-frame camera, the mindset is the same. Know what you want, know your tools, and shoot like it matters, regardless of subject.
Start Shooting with Intention
This workshop is about more than just walking through Chor Bazaar with a camera. It is about developing intent behind every frame you take. Whether you are shooting on your phone or a full kit, what matters is how you see, how you plan, and how you execute. Show up ready. Know your editing tools. Understand your gear. Come prepared to think, move, and shoot with purpose.
That is how you get better and separate yourself from the hordes of snapshot takers.
That is how you grow as a photographer and amass a portfolio of amazing images.
See you at Chor Bazaar!
