The Best Spots in Mumbai for Street Photography
An in-depth, insider’s look at many of the best places that are often off the beaten path.
Edition 1.0: The Best Spots in Mumbai for Street Photography
Mumbai is one of India's most prominent megacities with a population in excess of 18 million residents. It is also arguably one of the best places in India for street photography. As a resident and avid street photographer myself, I offer a glimpse into many of the best spots in Mumbai for street photography.
If you’re someone who just wants a list and nothing more, just peruse through the headlines in this article for a quick hit. But my primary audience is those who aren’t only seeking the best spots in Mumbai for street photography but the reasons why they’re the best spots.
I’ve been shooting street photography in Mumbai for over seven years for personal work and for clients through my photography workshops. If you know me, you might have heard me say this before: Mumbai is the best place in the world for street photography. Street photographers who’ve never visited Mumbai might be calling b.s. at this point. But I intend to back up this belief in the following list based on my preferences and experiences. I’ll also throw in some strategies that aren’t necessarily location-specific but are helpful in providing a lot of shots if you’re seeking other perspectives in street photography.
This list is in alphabetical order and I’ve thrown in the strategies for different shots at the end [this and additional galleries still need to be added]. I’ll likely be updating this post occasionally with new images and text because I want to eventually develop a go-to page for those new to Mumbai street photography. Let’s get into it.
Aarey Colony
Brief
Mumbai's Aarey Colony is nearly four times as large as New York City's Central Park. And there are leopards. Apart from the exotic grandness of the place, it is home still to many Adivasi, or first inhabitants.
Overview
I began photographing in Aarey Colony in January of 2018. I’d initially put out a Tweet asking to see if anyone would join me. I remember a few interesting responses in private messages about being careful there and mentions of superstitious beliefs about the place. I become loosely involved in conservation efforts when I started an image bank for journalists. But ultimately I just found the place to be an alluring place for several genres of photography, including street photography.
The best time to visit, as is often the case in my opinion, is just before sunrise. But the sun doesn’t often penetrate the trees until later so the only places to capture the Golden Hour light is in the grassy fields and open spaces. Afternoon visits can also be surprisingly good but if you don’t like the humidity, best to stick to the morning hours as Aarey seems to be more humid, at least to me, than the neighboring streets in the outside world.
Roads
Many of the small roads in Aarey provide fantastic views and subjects. In fact, I have a favorite road that I often visit just to walk and take pictures. From this perspective, I often encounter grass cutters, farmers, local residents, and visitors like myself. In the mornings you’ll almost always find morning strollers and joggers. From late morning onward, some of the roads really clear out and seem like they’ve been evacuated.
Farms
There are several dairy farms scattered across Aarey Colony, or Aarey Milk Colony, to be more precise. I’ve made it a point to visit a couple of these farms and photograph the workers there. Even now, it still feels strange to be able to walk onto private property and just start conversing and being made to feel welcome. Fortunately, this has been my experience so far. The last time I took a small group of people to visit one and they served us chai and we had a pleasant chat and an impromptu photo session.
Forest & Grasslands
When you step off the roads and enter the forest area, you’ll never know what you’ll find. A friend and I once just hiked inside the tree line and explored the interior until we came across one of Aarey’s 20+ padas, or villages. For me, I typically don’t explore the forest area too much because there’s just not enough things of interest to photograph. There are flowers and insects, if you’re into macro or the like, but I tend to want to be where the people are for general purpose street photography.
As for the grasslands, you can generally view these vast open spaces from the roads. In many of these regions, you’ll see grass cutters tirelessly waging war on the never-ending growth. Much of the grass ends up in the nearby farms though I suspect some of it makes its way to various stops in Mumbai.
Villages
Aarey is home to over 20 padas, home to the Adivasi of Mumbai. These villages are scattered through Aarey and are usually hidden from the main roads. Of the few people who are aware of the existence of these villages, fewer still know where all of them are located, including me. The truth is, it’s usually best to take permission before entering these villages for a number of reasons. I’m fortunate enough to have a contact who introduced me to a few of them and has granted me access to photograph these seemingly ancient places, where electricity is still considered a luxury that not all inhabitants enjoy.
Bandra West
Brief
Bandra West, or just simply Bandra, was the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Mumbai. It’s an upscale location in general but does have some great photo opportunities if you know where to look.
Overview
I have two views on Bandra, one being that of a cosmopolitan neighborhood with little interest in regards to street photography. The other side to Bandra is that you simply need to know where to go to get the shots you seek. Bandra is very interesting from the perspective of the rich and poor divide: from the Bollywood homes is a mere stone’s throw to some of Mumbai’s poorest who eek out a meager existence along the rat-infested shoreline of Bandra’s favorite pedestrian mecca, Bandstand.
Bandstand
Bandstand is best visited during the morning hours or just before sunset. Like many places throughout the city, locals and early-risers make up much of the foot traffic traversing Bandstand Promenade’s 1.2 kilometer. Some of the more curious sites you’ll see will be down in the rocks along the shoreline. Apart from visitors venturing down to be close to the water, you’ll see some of Mumbai’s poorest, who somehow manage to take up temporary residence there to perform basic functions like bathing and doing laundry. If you’re looking for more of a thrill, try Bandstand during Monsoon season. You still get a lot of foot traffic with the added bonus of people struggling with their umbrellas in the wind and rain.
Bandra Fort
Bandra Fort is arguably the biggest draw for Bandra visitors. Positioned to the north of the majestic Sea Link, it provides a great view of the bridge and the distant Worli skyline. During the morning hours, you’ll often encounter photographers doing pre-wedding shoots and other photographic ventures. If you’re looking for a young crowd for your street photography, you’ll be able to capture this throughout the day as it’s a popular hangout and the nearby “lover’s park” is a well-known meeting spot for teens and young adults looking for privacy in a public setting.
Carter Road
Carter Road is like the B side of the Bandstand Promenade. While the pedestrian traffic is good for morning and evenings, there’s just not as much interest for me for street photography, generally speaking. But it does depend on what you’re looking for. Good shots can be had just about anywhere in Mumbai, so if you need the backgrounds that Carter Road provides, it’s worth taking a look if you’re in the area.
Chimbai Village
Chimbai is one of several Koli communities that you’ll find along the coastline of Mumbai. It’s well worth exploring if you’re near Bandstand or Carter Road since it’s in between both. You can also duck into one of the passageways and meander down to the small harbor. Here you’ll find several families that have lived next to the sea for generations. And they battle the monsoon tidal surges every year! Some of these old-timers speak English in case you’re from out of town.
Ranwar
Ranwar is an interesting stretch of historic Mumbai very much worthy of exploration for street photography. If you like markets and a mix of religious communities together in one stretch of road, this is the place.
Talao
Bandra Talao is an interesting locale for street photography if you’re looking for a lake as a backdrop. And pigeons. Lots and lots of pigeons. It’s been in a constant state of renovation for some time. A change that’s worth mentioning is that the old sky walk that used to connect Talao with access to across the busy street and nearby Ranwar is no longer there. There’s also a new path that circles the lake. Sometimes, you’ll find a few ear cleaners who’ve frequented the area for years.
Kadeshwari Slum
The Kadeshwari slum can be found just off the Western Express Highway at the north side of the Sea Link bridge. Colorful homes line the hillside, another example of Mumbai’s poor bordering the rick folks at the Taj Lands End nearby. Locals have told me that developers will be razing the slum to make way for new development soon although I believe the pandemic has stifled these plans for now. I’ve been fond of walking through this area, sometimes with friends and clients. Oddly enough, I seldom take pictures here except for the rare portrait or if I engage in conversation with residents.
Beaches
Juhu and Versova Beaches
Juhu Beach
Brief
Juhu Beach is the most-popular and crowded beach in Mumbai. For photographers looking to capture images of people, there is no shortage, especially during the end of the day before sunset.
Overview
Juhu Beach is the stereotypical sunrise/sunset locale. During the morning hours, well before sunrise up until late morning, locals make use of this stretch of beach for walking and exercise.
The Beach
The best time to arrive to take photos, in my opinion, is an hour or so before sunset, Golden Hour. With the sun setting on the horizon of the Arabian Sea, this is your best chance for dramatic pictures. Street photography, if we may call it that, will consist of a densely-packed crowd at Juhu Chowpatty (the popular section). There are vendors of all varieties throughout, including the beach’s famous cameramen, who roam around the sand looking to take your picture with an instant film camera.
Juhu Jetty
The possible exception to the sunset visitation time is around sunrise at the jetty, which is 20-minute or so walk south from Juhu Chowpatty. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to photograph the Koli fishermen in action on their boats. You can also get some decent street portraiture-styled images of locals doing yoga and other forms of exercise that might look spectacular in the rising sun.
Versova Beach
Brief
Versova Beach is the most interesting beach in all of Mumbai, in my view. The diversity of residents and visitors guarantees great photos if you’re interested in your typical Golden Hour shoots and even documentary photography.
Overview
As I already hinted at, Versova Beach is my favorite spot for seaside photography in Mumbai. And similarly to Juhu Beach, the sunset time frame is generally the best time to visit. I used to photograph models during the morning hours but soon grew weary of it because of the locals using the beach as a toilet during morning hours. In fact, I’ve got an image of this that shows a multitude of men squatting on the shoreline going back as far as the eye can see. Fashion and this kind of drama seldom mix well.
It’s also worth noting that sometimes you can find interesting sand patterns that are worthy of photographing along with other odds and ends that wash-up on shore. It’s usually not what I’m after when I’m shooting street photography, but when things are slow, all you usually have to do is look down, switch gears, and keep shooting.
The Methi Farmers
The existence of the methi farmers at Versova Beach is the primary reason I find this locale the most interesting of all of Mumbai’s beaches. These farmers have been working the land (sand) for over 50 years, illegally, according to the government. I began photographing them a few years ago and established a long-term project that I intend to keep building on for the foreseeable future.
Chor Bazaar
Brief
Chor Bazaar is one of the largest flea markets in India and one of my favorite all-around street photography locales in Mumbai. If you’re into street portraiture, this is the best spot, hands down.
Overview
Chor Bazaar is my all-around favorite spot in Mumbai for street photography, especially for street portraiture. Even better is the fact that the immediate areas around Chor Bazaar are overall vibrant and full of subjects. You’ll be able to photograph street life from sunup to sundown but it’s best to let the light be your guide. This typically means that anytime after sunrise until about approximately 11 am, before the sun is too high in the sky. Ironically, websites show the market’s hours starting from 11 am to 7:30 pm (closed on Sundays). Even if you can’t reach earlier, there are still plenty of subjects to photograph throughout the day. You’ll just have to adjust for the lighting and look for subjects in tapered light or in soft light situations. If you’re a black-and-white shooter and love contrast, then it’s always the right time for you.
On Fridays Chor Bazaar is officially closed because it’s located in a Muslim neighborhood. But there’s a flea market that takes its place for a few hours. During this time, it’s packed with customers and vendor stalls. This can be daunting if you’re not used to crowds and there’s little wiggle room at times. But if you love chaotic market scenes, check out Chor Bazaar on Fridays. See below for another hot spot on Fridays.
Mutton Street
If you’re a first-time visitor to Chor Bazaar and don’t know how to get there, all you need to know is, Mutton Street. Get on your GPS or Google Maps and punch in any address listed on Mutton Street and you’ll find the place. Mutton Street runs pretty much north-south so you’ll be able to catch most of Chor Bazaar by exploring all the parallel lanes.
Jumma Market (Fridays 4:30 am to 7 am)
If you’re an early riser, you may want to chck out Jumma Market in Kamathipura, Mumbai’s red light district. The only problem with photographing the market is that it’s going to be lit up with a lot of artificial lights. If that’s not an issue, then show up closer to closing time (if you’re not shopping too) because the one time I visited, there were still a lot of people hanging about after the official closing time. And there were quite a few interesting characters about to photograph. Look for “Dedh Gully” to locate this somewhat concealed destination.
Darukhana Shipbreaking Yard
Brief
The Darukhana ship-breaking yard is a mecca for documentary and street portraiture work. If you’re looking for hard-working individuals who usually don’t mind being interrupted for a chat and a few shots, I couldn’t recommend a more interesting locale in Mumbai.
Overview
The Darukhana ship-breaking yard is best-visited post 9 am. If you get there any earlier, you’re bound to encounter everyone during their morning routines (eating, bathing, etc.) and that just doesn’t make for good photography or welcome photography, for that matter. So 9 am on the early side and anywhere up until the early afternoon when lunch is served. It’s unlikely that everyone will lunch at the same time but expect some of the labor force to be away from their blow torches, scrap metal, and machines at some point for a meal break.
Expect lots of industrial activity at this site. Saws may be a’ buzzing and torches a’ flaming. Heavy equipment in operation. Men in poorly lit quarters pummeling chains with hammers. The sort of things that Hemingway might photograph. If you’re looking for gritty, dirty, loud, and sometimes muddy shooting conditions, this is it. There’s no better environment than I’ve encountered where you’re actually welcome to interrupt the work, at least much of the time.
That’s right. You can walk right into this place. I’d advise against two things, however. Don’t assume everyone will be happy to see you just because the first 30 men greeted you with smiles and posed for you. Be respectful of everyone’s space and time. Second, avoid the police in the area. There’s a small police station at the end of the main dock. There used to be a friendly policeman there I would chat with but then he was replaced with another who promptly tried to kick us out. The best bet is to avoid the waterside at the end of any of the docks, at least until you have all of your shots.
Reay Station / Slum
If you take a train (or possibly a cab) you’ll end up at the Reay Station or nearby. Outside of the station opens up to a slum that lines both sides of the street. If you don’t have a lot of experience dealing with a lot of potential interactions border lining on obnoxiousness, it’s best to keep your camera and intentions concealed until you pass through the area. If you’re comfortable with this kind of situation, then it can become a time management issue if your main objective is shooting Darukhana. For the most part, I’ve nothing but positive things to say about passing through but having since learned the area a little better, I typically avoid the place.
North-South Service Road
There’s a service road that parallels the Eastern Express Highway. If you’re looking for something else to shoot, it’s a nice walk and strangely vacant like you’re in another country. There’s an abandoned bit of train tracks and an old train depot south of Darukhana. I once had a nice chat with a guard whose assignment consisted of long hours of watching after a vacant lot. I mention this road only because there’s potential for subjects and for a different experience that’s usually not had in Mumbai. But it’s not especially worth the side trip if time is of the essence.
Kumbharwada Pottery Colony
Brief
The Kumharwada pottery colony is in Dharavi, the slum that was showcased in Slumdog Millionaire. If you’re a pottery enthusiast and enjoy portraiture, this is a fantastic locale. You’ll get lost in the maze here but it’s well worth the adventure.
Overview
I discovered Kumbharwada through a tour company and then began to make solo excursions back to photograph the place. I’ve also added this spot to one of my street photography workshops. I don’t necessarily have a love of pottery or pottery-making but this place is fascinating to me just the same. I’m always in awe of the craftsmanship and knowledge that these master potters possess. They’re true artisans. And most of the residents here are quite used to tourists passing through and photographing them. Strangely enough, at least in my view, they’re quite friendly and open to conversation and having their pictures taken. I’ve spent time in their homes talking about their lives and I’ve spent time with one or two of the potters who were kind enough to take some extra time to explain what they do. That’s the bonus part of the experience, many of the residents speak some English and most of the children do as well. For all of these reasons, Kumbharwada is a must-see spot and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city who only has time to see a couple of places.
Surrounding Areas
If you roam around Kumbharwada on your own, you’re bound to get lost in the maze of it. But not to worry, most of the surrounding areas are safe and decent for street photography. In particular, there’s an alley that borders the colony on the east that has many snack vendors, a perfect place to pick up some water or cold sodas. I’ve found a spot there on a few occasions to have a refreshment before calling it a day.
Sassoon Docks
Brief
Sassoon Docks is a crazy, vibrant locale that’s best caught just before sunrise. Much of the fish in the morning markets end up in restaurants and with retailers throughout Mumbai. If you’re ready for a challenge, this is the place to start.
Overview
Sassoon Docks is one of the most vibrant, crazy places that I’ve visited in India. The main dock can be absolutely jam-packed with writing bodies transporting fish and empty baskets on heads. The best time to arrive is just before the official sunrise because the sun in this part of Mumbai casts a lovely golden glow onto the scene. Although you can arrive as early as 4 am (and probably earlier), there’s just artificial light in the covered area and to be honest, it’s not worth the effort when you can show up a little later to get the brilliant light. Be very careful not to get in peoples’ ways as they won’t take kindly to a bunch of photographers messing about. The dock itself may seem quite inaccessible if you’re attempting to reach the very end where the morning auctions are held but you can squeeze through if you’re patient and mindful.
After vising this place many times on my own and for my workshops, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best to pick your battles based on what kind of images you want to capture. If you absolutely need fish in baskets with lots of bodies around, then muscle your way through the crowd and get the shots. But if you’re looking for fish being tossed up from the boats or any of the number of related fishing activities, then there are likely other strategic positions to take up that won’t put you in the mad path. There are also a few other docks that aren’t as popular as the main dock but nevertheless, you can get portraits of fishermen and take pictures of their labors on and off the ships. In fact, there are ships usually docked all around the perimeters, wherever there is the sea, that usually harbors some form of interesting activity.
Surrounding Areas
Once you’re done with the Sassoon Docks you can exit the way you entered and choose to turn right (northeast) and follow the main road. After 10 minutes or so, you’ll start to see roads littered with markets. Enter one of these and start taking pictures. You’ll be happy that the crowds are relatively sparse and that there’s just enough going on to work in some photographs. There’s also a nearby Koli fishing village that eventually connects to the main road that leads to the Gateway of India. If you look at the map you’ll see this place — another great spot for street photography. Then at the end of the morning, treat yourself to a cup of coffee and some snacks at the most secure Starbucks in the world (you’ll see why) that’s attached to the backside of the Taj.
Uttan Village
Brief
Uttan is a sleepy fishing village in the northern reached of Mumbai. It’s another locale in a list of places that doesn’t look like it belongs to a major metropolis of over 18 million residents.
Overview
Uttan is a sleepy seaside village that’s almost as picturesque as a postcard. And that’s saying something for Mumbai. But in the same breath, there are several places in Mumbai that can be quite beautiful but these aren’t usually the spots locals and visitors associate with the city. But I do. You just have to take the time to find them. Uttan is definitely one of them. There’s a lot to explore on foot here. There’s the main beach and also the village itself which meanders along the coast. There’s even a lighthouse and my favorite spot, a community well, where if you’re lucky, will be full of water and kids jumping into it. It makes for a great scene and a bit of fun. I was fortunate enough to have witnessed it on my visit there. Over all, well worth the trip if you’re looking for a spot that’s way out of the way and less crowded.
Vasai Fort
Brief
The Vasai Fort is a complex of ruins nestled next to a fishing village. For me, the fort itself isn’t interesting but just about everything around it is.
Overview
Vasai is interesting to me as a path well-beaten next to an off-the-beaten-path. The Vasai Fort is a famous site that draws visitors from all over. For me, however, it’s not very compelling unless I was doing a paid shoot (which a lot of wedding photographers do there). But if you walk in just about any direction away from the fort grounds, you’ll find all kinds of things if you’re interested in street photography or travel photography (no one term really applies, it’s just photography folks). The main road ends at the misleading Vasai Creek, which looks as wide as the widest sections of the Mississippi River. In fact, I had quite a photographic experience photographing men loading huge blocks of ice onto a boat just after sunrise. I’ll never forget it. Then to the north-northwest, the fort enters into a Koli fishing village that’s always great for photography. The entire region is such a laidback, relaxing vibe of a place compared to the rest of Mumbai proper to the south.
Worli Koliwada
Brief
Worli Koliwada is a prominent Koli fishing village in the heart of Mumbai. If you’ve ever traveled across the Sea Link then you’ve probably spotted this locale on the peninsula to the east. A fantastic and peaceful place for photography away from the busy streets of the city.
Overview
Worli Koliwada, or Worli Village, is always a pleasure to visit even when I don’t get a lot of shots. First, it’s just a nice walk. I love strolling down the long, narrow lanes and observing all the shopkeepers and residents go about their lives. There’s a rhythm to it all as there is in all of the Koliwadas in Mumbai. What makes this spot of particular significance is the location, right in the heart of where traditional “Bombay” meets the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Then there’s the majestic Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a bridge that I can’t help but photograph when the light is good.
Worli Fort
Worli Fort is a must-visit if you’re only going to visit once. Though not very photogenic itself, the views from the fort are. And for sunrise shooting, there’s no better vantage point in Worli. You’ve got a nice horizon shot of the city to the south, a somewhat decent perspective of Sea Link, and a post-apocalyptic view of the harbor and skyline to the east from where the sun is on the rise. You may encounter resistance from the fort tenants about having DSLRs or any professional looking cameras so it’s best to conceal these until you’re ready to shoot. Scout the perimeter, map your shots, and then take them.
Worli Jetty / Fishing Zone
Some of the best shots to be had are on or around the jetty, where you can watch the fishermen go out if you’re early enough. They tend to launch at random times but most of the fleet disembark early. Try having conversations with the fishermen there. Most of them are friendly and will happily pose if you’re looking for portraiture. It’s also a good zone for candid photography. If I don’t plan on visiting the Fort then I usually go straight to the jetty to get my sunrise shots because I can also get some of the fishermen and their boats against the backdrop of the bridge when the sun strikes it, and if it’s a clear day, it lights up and lends credibility to the term, Golden Hour.
