Street Life Suresh Naganathan
Dec 25, 2025
Suresh Naganathan, a Mumbai-based street photographer originally from Switzerland, shares his journey of capturing urban life. He discusses the shift from distant shots to intimate street portraits and the cultural adjustments required in chaotic Mumbai. Suresh emphasizes the importance of consent and dignity in photographing poverty and reflects on the emotional impact of good photographs. He also offers insights into his creative process, the challenges of uniqueness, and the significance of community in sustaining artistic growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Accidental Move Sparked A New Career
- Suresh moved from Switzerland to Mumbai after a work posting meant for Singapore turned into an India project.
- He initially took holiday snaps then gradually discovered street photography around 2014 after a Bangkok workshop.
Build Proximity And Use Flash To Control Light
- Learn by doing and gradually move closer to subjects to build confidence in candid street work.
- Use flash sparingly to control bad light once you are comfortable shooting up close.
Camera As A Tool To Organise Chaos
- Mumbai's sensory overload forced Suresh to use the camera as a framing tool to organise chaos.
- That framing helped him transform overwhelming scenes into composed, quieter images over time.