Raghubir Singh’s signature photographic style was rooted in analog 35 mm gear, chosen for its reliability and mobility—perfect for his vibrant street and documentary work:
Core Camera & Lens Setup
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Hand‑held 35 mm Leica (later Nikon SLR FA)
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Early in his career, Singh used Leica rangefinders while learning from Henri Cartier‑Bresson.
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Later, he simplified to a single Nikon FA body paired with a fixed 35 mm lens, which he described as: I have simplified my work into one body and one lens… If that lens can’t take the photograph then I don’t take it.
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| Raghubir Singh and his Nikon FA |
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| Nikon FA |
Film & Flash
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Kodachrome slide film
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Preferred for its rich colors and fine grain—rare in India until the late 1980s due to trade restrictions.
Allowed him to use small apertures and slower shutter speeds to capture deep depth of field and clarity .
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On‑camera flash
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Experimented with flash at dusk or in crowded scenes—though unconventional for documentary photographers at the time, it became a key part of his aesthetic.
In Summary
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Camera: Leica (early career), later Nikon FA
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Lens: Single 35 mm prime
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Film: Kodachrome slides
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Lighting: Strategic use of on‑camera flash
This minimalist yet powerful setup empowered Singh to immerse himself in environments, capturing India’s riotous color, movement, and light with clarity and intention. If you'd like, I can share examples of his images using this gear or tips on replicating his workflow.
Books by Raghubir Singh
River of Colour : see it on Amazon
The Ganges : see it on Amazon
