Mumbai Through a Lens: 15 Stunning Photography Locations for Every Style

The Gateway of India stands as Mumbai's most recognizable landmark, but photographing it effectively requires strategic timing and positioning. I arrived at 5:30 AM on my second day, just as the first light began illuminating the basalt arch against a backdrop of dawn pastels. The early hour meant I could frame compositions without the usual crowds, though I was joined by a handful of dedicated local photographers who nodded knowingly at my carbon fiber tripod (essential for the low-light conditions).

While the frontal view is classic, don't miss the opportunity to photograph the Gateway from the water. I booked an early morning ferry to Elephanta Caves, which provided a receding view of the monument with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in magnificent juxtaposition. The contrast between the colonial architecture and the Arabian Sea creates a compelling visual narrative about Mumbai's maritime history.

The surrounding Colaba district offers a wealth of architectural subjects. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel itself, with its distinctive red dome, provides endless compositional possibilities, particularly when photographed from the small garden area across the road. As a history enthusiast, I was drawn to the stories embedded in these structures—the Gateway commemorating the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary, and the Taj predating it by nearly a decade, allegedly built after Jamsetji Tata was refused entry to a 'whites-only' hotel.

Wandering north from the Gateway, Mumbai University and the High Court building offer spectacular examples of Gothic Revival architecture. The key is to look for interesting angles—shooting through archways, using symmetry, or incorporating human elements for scale. These buildings are particularly stunning in the golden hour light, when the yellow basalt seems to glow from within.

Mumbai's markets offer an intoxicating sensory experience and unparalleled opportunities for street photography. Crawford Market (officially Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market) became my favorite morning haunt, where I'd arrive by 8:00 AM to capture vendors arranging their vibrant displays of fruits, flowers, and spices. The Norman-Gothic architecture of the building itself creates a fascinating backdrop to the commercial bustle within.

After decades of travel photography, I've learned that successful market photography requires establishing rapport. I always make small purchases and engage in conversation before bringing out my mirrorless camera, which with its unobtrusive design and silent shooting mode, allows me to capture candid moments without disrupting the natural flow of commerce. The 23mm f/2 lens (35mm equivalent) proved perfect for these environments—wide enough to capture context but not so wide as to distort faces.

Chor Bazaar (Thieves' Market) presents a different photographic challenge. This sprawling flea market with its narrow lanes packed with antiques, vintage items, and curiosities is a treasure trove for detail-oriented photographers. The limited light between stalls necessitates higher ISO settings, but the resulting grain can actually enhance the timeworn aesthetic of the subject matter.

During my third visit to Chor Bazaar, I discovered an elderly shopkeeper with a collection of vintage cameras that would make any photography enthusiast swoon. When I mentioned my own journey from film to digital over the decades, he proudly showed me a remarkably preserved Rolleiflex from the 1950s. This interaction resulted in not only my favorite portrait from Mumbai but also a fascinating hour-long conversation about how photography has evolved across cultures.

When photographing people in markets, remember that direct eye contact creates a different type of image than candid shots. Both have value, but be clear about your intention before raising your camera.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) stands as perhaps the most extravagant railway station ever built, a Victorian-Gothic masterpiece that rewards patient observation. During my first visit, I made the rookie mistake of attempting to photograph the facade during midday—a harsh lighting nightmare that flattened the intricate details. Returning at blue hour the following evening revealed why CST deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status.

The station comes alive as natural light fades and the architectural lighting activates, highlighting the stone carvings, turrets, and the magnificent central dome. From a technical perspective, this is when you'll want your travel tripod, as handheld photography becomes challenging in these conditions. I found the best vantage point across the street at the municipal building plaza, which allows for a frontal composition while avoiding most of the overhead wires.

Interior photography at CST requires discretion and respect for the operational railway station. Security can be strict about professional-looking equipment, so I opted for a more compact camera setup. The main concourse with its soaring ceiling and bustling crowds offers fascinating juxtapositions of Victorian architecture and contemporary Indian life.

Just a short taxi ride away, Mumbai's Art Deco district along Marine Drive (officially in the Guinness Book of Records for having the world's second-largest collection of Art Deco buildings after Miami) provides a completely different architectural subject. These 1930s and 40s gems feature the characteristic streamlined forms, geometric patterns, and nautical elements typical of the style.

For the best Art Deco photography results, I walked along Marine Drive in the late afternoon when the western light accentuates the pastel colors and geometric details. The buildings along Oval Maidan, where Art Deco faces off against Victorian Gothic across a cricket field, create a fascinating architectural dialogue that I captured using a 50mm lens to compress the perspective.

As a dentist with an interest in architectural preservation, I couldn't help but notice how many of these magnificent structures require restoration. The ongoing tension between development and conservation is visible throughout Mumbai, adding a layer of poignancy to architectural photography here.

Mumbai's relationship with the Arabian Sea defines its character, and nowhere is this more photographically evident than along the sweeping curve of Marine Drive. Known locally as the 'Queen's Necklace' for the way the streetlights create a luminous string of pearls at night, this 3.6-kilometer boulevard offers distinctly different photographic opportunities throughout the day.

During my stay, I developed a routine of early morning walks along Marine Drive to capture fishermen preparing their boats against the backdrop of Mumbai's skyline. The morning light here is sublime, especially when monsoon clouds linger, creating dramatic skies. A graduated ND filter proved invaluable for balancing exposure between bright skies and darker foregrounds.

Marine Drive transforms completely at sunset, when locals gather to promenade, snack vendors set up shop, and couples find spots along the seawall. This social tapestry creates rich opportunities for environmental portraiture. I found that my 35mm lens provided the ideal field of view—wide enough to include context but tight enough to isolate interesting human moments.

For a less frequented coastal perspective, I took a taxi to Worli Fort one afternoon. This often-overlooked 17th-century structure built by the British offers panoramic views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai's iconic cable-stayed bridge. Timing is crucial here—I arrived about an hour before sunset to scout compositions, then photographed through golden hour as the bridge began to illuminate against the darkening sky.

The juxtaposition of the centuries-old fort walls against the ultra-modern bridge structure creates a compelling visual narrative about Mumbai's evolution. From a technical perspective, I bracketed exposures heavily here, as the dynamic range between the shadowed fort and the bright sky exceeds what even the best sensors can capture in a single frame.

During my exploration of coastal Mumbai, I was reminded of my childhood near the Great Lakes in Canada—there's something universally compelling about the meeting of urban development and natural water bodies. Though the Arabian Sea is far warmer than Lake Ontario in January (as I discovered during an impromptu wade near Chowpatty Beach), the human connection to water transcends cultural boundaries.

Mumbai's religious diversity is reflected in its sacred architecture, offering photographers glimpses into centuries of spiritual tradition. Banganga Tank in Walkeshwar provided my most unexpectedly moving photographic experience in Mumbai. This ancient water tank surrounded by temples and shrines dates back to the 12th century and feels like a village within the metropolis.

I arrived at Banganga shortly after sunrise, when devotees were performing morning rituals and the light slanted dramatically across the stone steps (ghats) leading down to the water. The square tank with its central shrine creates natural framing opportunities, while the surrounding narrow lanes reveal intimate vignettes of daily life. For this location, I switched between my standard zoom for environmental context and a 50mm prime for portraits and details.

The spiritual atmosphere here is palpable, and I found myself slowing down, taking fewer but more considered photographs. When an elderly priest noticed my interest in a small shrine's intricate carvings, he invited me to observe a brief ceremony, an interaction that reminded me why travel photography has become so central to my life after decades in dentistry—it's these human connections across cultural boundaries that enrich our understanding.

In stark contrast to the ancient Banganga, the Haji Ali Dargah presents a different photographic challenge. This white marble shrine sits on a tiny islet connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway that disappears at high tide. Checking tide tables is essential—I visited during low tide in late afternoon when the causeway was fully accessible and the white marble gleamed in the golden light.

The approach to Haji Ali Dargah offers compelling compositional possibilities, with the causeway creating a strong leading line toward the structure. Once inside the complex, photography becomes more restricted, and sensitivity is paramount. I limited myself to architectural details and respectful wide shots of the courtyards, always seeking permission before photographing people at worship.

Both locations require modest dress (I carried a lightweight scarf to cover my head when appropriate) and removal of shoes in certain areas. My years of travel photography have taught me that respect opens doors—quite literally in sacred spaces—and yields more authentic images than rushing in with cameras blazing.

Photography in Mumbai's densely populated communities requires particular sensitivity and ethical consideration. After considerable research, I chose to visit Dharavi with a community-based tour organization that reinvests proceeds into local education initiatives. This approach provided context and ensured my presence was welcomed rather than intrusive.

Dharavi, often mischaracterized simply as 'Asia's largest slum,' revealed itself as a complex economic powerhouse with thriving industries and tight-knit communities. Photographically, I focused on the impressive recycling operations and skilled artisans rather than perpetuating poverty stereotypes. The narrow lanes create challenging lighting conditions with small patches of bright sky contrasting against shadowed interiors.

For this environment, I used my compact camera which with its understated design and excellent low-light capabilities allowed me to work discreetly. The fixed 28mm lens proved ideal for the close quarters. Rather than photographing people directly, I often focused on hands at work, environmental details, and products being created—telling the story of industry and skill rather than hardship.

Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai's famous open-air laundry, presents different photographic opportunities. Best viewed from the bridge on Dr. E. Moses Road, this vast complex of washing pens offers a mesmerizing geometric pattern from above. Morning visits provide the most activity as washermen (dhobis) beat laundry against stone flogging slabs and hang colorful fabrics to dry in the sun.

While the elevated view is compelling, I arranged (through my hotel concierge) to visit the facility at ground level with a local guide. This perspective revealed the physical labor involved and the sophisticated organization system that ensures thousands of garments return to their rightful owners. From a photographic standpoint, the contrast between the repetitive concrete washing pens and the organic shapes of draped laundry creates visually rich compositions.

As in many working environments globally, small gratuities were appreciated when photographing individuals at Dhobi Ghat. I brought along printed photographs from my previous day's shooting to give as gifts—a practice I've found creates goodwill and genuine connections across language barriers. After all, a photograph should be an exchange, not an extraction.