London Street Photography Workshops: Turn People Into Art

This image was edited using my Sepia Street preset for Luminar Neo. Coming soon!

London ranks among my top favorite cities in Europe, especially among the major ones I've had the pleasure to explore. While cities like Berlin certainly deserve an honorable mention, London uniquely combines a bit of everything. Back when I was in the travel industry, my visits were frequent but always bound by work commitments, leaving little room for true exploration. This experience left me with a lingering desire—a chip on my shoulder, so to speak—to delve deeper into London and truly connect with its vibrant atmosphere.

London is also a goldmine for exceptional street photography, a facet I only managed to scratch the surface of during a recent visit. The scenes I encountered, particularly during the weekday rush hours, were nothing short of spectacular. Morning and evening brought waves of commuters, providing a perfect backdrop to capture a slice of living history. Even the well-trodden paths of major tourist spots proved to be prime territories for street photography. Strolling down Oxford Street was particularly delightful, with its bustling array of shops and cafes and a vibrant mix of tourists and locals alike.

Having spent over a decade in Mumbai honing my street photography skills, London offered a refreshing change. There, I wasn’t the perpetual outsider with a camera; I blended in seamlessly. Speaking the language helped me interact when necessary, but I primarily indulged in my favorite pursuit—candid street photography. I framed the magnificent architecture and positioned people precisely to my liking. In essence, I engaged in what I love most: turning ordinary moments into art.

Or more precisely, turning people into art.

What I Want To Bring to London

This image was edited using my Bandra Chic preset for Luminar Neo. Coming soon!

I began leading street photography workshops in Mumbai back in 2017. From those initial days of roaming the streets and capturing anything that sparked my interest, I've realized that at my core, I am an artist. My intrinsic passion has always been to transform people into art. This inclination gradually shaped my choice of subjects and influenced how I processed my images using photo editing tools like Photoshop, Lightroom, and Luminar Neo. Nowadays, my workflow integrates all three applications to craft fine art images.

My path in street photography has evolved from simply capturing scenes to identifying as a street photographer and, ultimately, as a visual artist—or simply, an artist. The streets serve as my canvas, the passersby become my subjects, and the digital techniques I've perfected through years of street photography and creative portraiture are the paints with which I fill my frame.

My aim in guiding my clients is dual-focused. Firstly, I aspire to teach the fundamentals of street photography to novices or those needing a bit of fine-tuning to confidently navigate on their own. Secondly, I focus on cultivating an artistic vision—training participants to identify and envision potential subjects that will transform beautifully in post-processing. Each of my London photography workshops follows this format, with the primary variation being the duration, which ranges from five to eight days.

The objective is to capture a wealth of images that participants can then refine under my direction during private and group Zoom sessions post-workshop. To further enrich the workshop experience, I also offer attendees the opportunity to join monthly group meetings for a year following the workshop, ensuring continued learning and development in their photographic journey.

Let’s Talk Art Then…

An ICM image of a London bus.

If you're a street photographer or are keen to explore into this genre, you might wonder what I mean by "turning people into art." That's an excellent question. This unique approach is what distinguishes my workshops from the numerous street photography workshops already offered in London. A quick search on Google for 'London street photography workshops' will list many options, and I have nothing but respect for many of these photographers. London is home to some of the finest in the field, with countless skilled up-and-comers and seasoned veterans who are deeply familiar with both street photography and the city itself. If your goal is purely to master street photography, the top Google results will serve you well.

However, finding a workshop that focuses on creating a distinctive body of work with an artistic twist might prove more challenging. My workshops are crafted differently. We spend most of our time out on the streets of London, not confined to a hotel conference room discussing the history of street photography or learning post-processing techniques. Nor do we move as one large group capturing identical scenes. Instead, my workshops are intimate, with no more than six participants. We maximize our time shooting outdoors, saving indoor discussions and editing tutorials for before and after the in-field experience. My aim is for you to capture as many photos as possible, turning every minute into an opportunity to create art.

What exactly do I mean by "art"?

I'm talking about fine art photography—photography that's intended for prints. This includes black and white photography, Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), long exposures, double exposures, and composites. We even incorporate artificial intelligence enhancements to open up worlds limited only by our imagination. Essentially, we approach street photography with the intent to blend it seamlessly with techniques from other photography genres, elevating our shots to works of art.

Personal Projects

2023. Tate Modern. Long exposure image.

Everything starts with intention and a personal project. I require every participant in my London photography workshops to develop a personal project with me before attending. This ensures that each of the five other participants you'll be collaborating with might be seeking different things than you are. Indeed, London's streets are lined with compelling scenes that irresistibly pull at your camera's shutter. While these spontaneous captures may not directly contribute to your personal project, they are still valuable and form part of the photographic journey.

Before our first in-person meeting, we'll have a conference call where you'll meet the other attendees and explore their projects. This pre-meeting fosters a team dynamic, steering clear of the common scenario where photographers merely flock to stereotypical subjects.

So, how does the personal project begin?

It starts with you. You might already have a clear vision of the images you want to create, complete with a theme and advanced post-processing skills. On the other hand, you might be less familiar with street photography or unsure of what a personal project really entails. You may not even know what type of art you want to create or how to begin capturing it on the streets. That’s where my guidance comes in. I will help you navigate through these initial challenges, aiding you in developing a project that truly resonates with you. When you hit the streets of London, you'll be on a mission, armed with a clear purpose. Having this strong sense of direction not only enhances your belonging but transforms the experience, making the chaotic urban environment manageable and fulfilling. Many street photographers struggle without this focus, aimlessly capturing whatever they find without seeking the artistic shots that could be right before them. A personal project imbues your endeavor with both intention and purpose, a foundation I insist on before any participant takes their first photo on the streets of London.

What a Typical Workshop Day in London Will Look Like

2023. London, South Bank.

Our days will kick off right after breakfast. Given that most of my London workshops span several days, we'll either stay at the same hotel or designate a common meeting spot immediately afterward. Ideally, we'll be based in Central London, within Zone 1, to keep us close to the key locations we'll be exploring.

Shooting begins at 9 AM at our chosen location and runs until 6 PM, including brief stops for refreshments and lunch to keep our energy up. My goal is for everyone to have at least eight hours of shooting time each day, if possible. However, not everyone may have the stamina or the need to extend their day into the evening. Yet, if someone’s project requires nighttime shooting, we may adjust our hours to accommodate such needs, ensuring no one who requires assistance is left to manage alone in the evening. We’ll discuss and agree on any special arrangements beforehand to keep everyone informed and prepared.

Ultimately, my workshops involve long days spent on our feet, capturing images, and crafting art! Each day, we'll gradually build up our daily portfolios, effectively advancing our personal projects toward successful completion.

What Will Craig Be Doing During the Workshop?

2023. London. Self-portrait.

I will be dedicating the majority of my time to you and the other participants. Our activities will include group exercises designed to enhance skills and help you build your portfolio. I’ll be readily available to answer questions and provide assistance whenever needed. At times, we may explore together as a group or split into pairs to learn from each other. There will also be moments for individual exploration.

As we navigate the streets of London, consider me a subtle guide in the background, coordinating the flow of our workshop. While I might capture some shots for demonstration purposes or when an irresistible scene presents itself, my primary focus will be on facilitating your learning and ensuring the smooth progression of our activities. I won't be pursuing my own projects; my priority is supporting yours and ensuring we transition smoothly from one location to the next.

I may join you briefly to observe and offer tailored advice that respects your unique style without disrupting your process. Think of me as a director who provides guidance when necessary but also knows when to step back and let you take the lead, especially when you're fully engaged in your work.

Join Me in London

I'm excited to announce a series of 8-day street photography workshops being held globally. Currently, one such workshop is scheduled for London towards the end of 2024. London holds a special place in my heart, and I am keen to host multiple workshops there over the next few years to kickstart my fine art workshop series. However, these workshops will only proceed with the participation of 5-6 attendees each. Therefore, I am proposing a range of dates which may be subject to adjustments, but these are times when I will be available, provided I can assemble a group of interested participants.

I am exploring both 8-day and 5-day workshop formats. The 8-day workshop is an extended version of the 5-day workshop, designed for those who have more time and resources. The 5-day workshop is intended to run from Monday through Friday in London, focusing on capturing the daily life of Londoners rather than the weekend crowds, which tend to be more leisurely.

Keep an eye on this page and other sections of my website for updates on London workshop dates. If you're interested in dates not currently listed, please reach out to me. If I am available and can gather other attendees, we might be able to accommodate your preferred dates. Also, if you know friends who would be interested in joining, encourage them to contact me. To show my appreciation, I'll offer a 10% discount for anyone who recommends another attendee. For each additional recommendation, I’ll add another 3% off, up to a total of 25% off if you help fill the group.