I realize that newsletters can be boring for some readers because we artists and photographers like to sell you stuff, our work, our services. It goes with the business of the profession, naturally. So my late New Year’s gift to you is leaving all of it out this month. Let’s rely on my sheer writing ability alone to carry this along even if my steering of this 1970s model leaves us with two wheels on the shoulder and a cloud of dust—and a gaggle of bewildered faces with open O mouthes a’gaping—wondering who that maniac was that just whizzed by.

I’m not advising you to avoid visiting Mumbai’s own Dhobi Ghat, the largest outdoor laundry in the world. This article only serves as a warning to photographers who may want to visit inside: be prepared to be let down by the experience.

Street photography has all kinds of benefits. I want to share a few of these with you because even if you’re not a hardcore enthusiast, you might be surprised by what the genre can do for you if you decide to pursue it even occasionally. I’m personally working on my ninth year of shooting street photography and I hope to be doing it for decades to come. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

Knowing your purpose in street photography is one thing; packaging it and presenting it to the world is quite another. I guess I’ve known all along what my purpose has been in street photography and photography in general: turning people into art. It may sound generic. It may sound too vague. After all, isn’t that what portrait painters do? Or any number of other artists, for that matter?

Street photographers, like any photography enthusiast, do stupid things occasionally. And I’m not above it all; I’ve ticked most of the boxes on this list. The point is to learn and grow as street photographers and not repeat the same mistakes that hold us back.
I compiled the ‘7 Stupid Things That Street Photographers Do’ list based on my past mistakes and those of photographers I’ve explored the streets with over the past eight years in India and worldwide.

I’ll focus instead on three of the most important ones that I believe will help you take better candid shots on your next street photography adventure. The best part is that you probably won’t need to buy new gear unless you’re shooting film or own outdated tech (or just starting out). Essentially, these tips are for photographers using modern DSLRs and mirrorless systems although some of the tips would apply regardless of the gear you use.

My photo editing workflow has changed over time. This is the nature of the business for me. As the technology progresses, so does the way I choose to post process my photos. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that my workflow has changed somewhat each and every year since I’ve been editing images digitally. This coincides with my development as a photographer: as my photography changes, so do my photo editing techniques.

Explore Ranwar Village with me for three hours. We’ll cover wall murals from the Bollywood Art Project as well as the busy market lanes. I’ll provide street photography tips for those who need help as well as the best camera settings to capture the fast-paced action.

New 1 of 1 print announcement:

“The Siege”
Year: 2023
Artist: Craig Boehman
Size: 16x20” unframed
Material: ChromaLuxe metal

New 1 of 1 print announcement:

“Opaloid Dreams”
Year: 2023
Artist: Craig Boehman
Size: 16x20” unframed
Material: ChromaLuxe metal

New 1 of 1 print announcement:

“I Walk”
Year: 2023
Artist: Craig Boehman
Size: 16x20” unframed
Material: ChromaLuxe metal

I’m always thinking and rethinking my day-pack bag for my camera and gear. The day bag can either be a small backpack or a shoulder bag meant for a camera bag and maybe a couple of extra lenses and accessories. As a prime lens shooter who regularly shoots street photography, I’ve come to terms with what I really need to get the job done. Essentially, this means less is more.

I’ve been using Samyang prime lenses for my Sony A7iii for several years now and I just upgraded to the latest iteration of their 24mm lens with the 1.8 maximum aperture. Is it worth it? I’ll give you a few reasons why I think it definitely is.

The Mumbai Street Photography Bootcamp is a 9 a.m. to 2p.m. immersive experience in the art of street photography. We aren’t going to explore touristy sites! No! We will focus instead on learning the craft of street photography with the singular goal of improving our skill sets.
Through the use of exercises and proven techniques, we will capture both candid and street portraits under my supervision. We’ll explore the busy streets of Mumbai throughout the course of the day and capture life as it unfolds during the busy work week. I’ll instruct attendees to achieve set goals throughout the workshop with an emphasis on both candid and street portraiture.

I'm working on my next collection now. This time around I plan on producing one-of-a-kind editions made out of metal and maybe out of other more exotic materials. I'll be producing ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) images shot with a specific lens, and like last time, at one location in Mumbai. I'll likely begin promoting by the year's end or the next.

Studio Light proves to be an invaluable tool for portrait photographers. Its robust feature set empowers photographers to infuse their images with captivating lighting effects. We'll explore each of these tools within Studio Light shortly. However, it's worth noting that Studio Light is not limited to portrait photography alone; it can also serve as a valuable resource for street photographers aiming to craft stunning street portraits and urban landscapes.

This article is only half in jest. And it’s probably not what you think. No. I don’t have a compulsion to collect camera gear and hoard it. I do suffer from Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.) but not any more than any other photographer. What I do suffer from is a mild form of OCD that has to do with not liking anyone or anything touching my camera, lenses, and accessories.

I recently ran a street photography workshop in Mumbai on August 13, 2023, taking in three different locations: Sassoon Docks, Chor Bazaar, and Kumbharwada. The following are some of the images I’ve already shared on social media along with the captions.

"Explore the Unified Temporal Nexus Theory (UTNT), a thought experiment by Craig Boehman, delving into the convergence of General Relativity, quantum mechanics, and quantum gravity. UTNT introduces two distinct time fields, the Time Heat Field (THF) and the Time Information Field (TIF), shaping the fabric of spacetime and influencing cosmic behavior. Discover how THF represents extreme temperatures from Planck level to the universe's edge, while TIF weaves an intricate web of quantum information.

Three shots from 2023 represent a divergent turn from street photography. Street photography will always be a passion of mine. If anything, 2023 has opened my eyes to making art from my street photography and creating images that wouldn't really be considered street photography to more than a few pundits. In the end, what you call a genre and how one may restrict or broaden its boundaries do not matter. What matters are the images and the intentionality behind them.