Through the Rainy Lens: A Sunday Morning in Tiretta Bazaar with Fujifilm

 

Will a dreary sky deter you from venturing out early on a lazy Sunday morning if there is a photo walk waiting on the other side? Certainly not for me—especially when the walk is hosted by Fujifilm and mentored by the ace documentary photographer, Lopamudra Talukdar. The promise of exploring the city on a rainy day, testing out new gear, and deep-diving into the art of visual storytelling was more than enough to get me out of bed.

Documenting the Migrant Community in Tiretta Bazaar

This experience was part of X Academy’s lineup of expert-led workshops designed for hands-on, creative learning. Our destination was Tiretta Bazaar, the historic heart of Calcutta’s open-air Chinese breakfast market.

An Indian Chinese woman selling her breakfast in the Tiretta market

Having followed our mentor Lopamudra Talukdar’s work for quite some time, I was thrilled to learn from her in person. She is a master of street photography based right here in Kolkata, globally recognised for her ability to capture everyday moments and diverse cultures. What intrigues me most about her style is her rich use of colour and her keen eye for human stories. Her work has taught me a lot about the interplay of light, shadow, and contrast, inspiring me to step out into the world and document stories of my own.

Meeting, Introductions, and Collecting Cameras

Our enthusiastic group assembled outside the Calcutta Police Headquarters in Lalbazaar sharp at 7:30 AM. Rajan Da and Aritra from the Fujifilm team were there to greet us and distribute the gear for the day. I was handed a Fujifilm X-H2S paired with a 16mm prime lens. Accustomed as I am to my trusty Sony a6000 mirrorless, adjusting to this new system on the fly was a slight challenge—but one I was completely up for.

With our cameras ready, we set off and met Lopa di along the way. My very first impression of her was how warmly she greeted each one of us. She immediately made everyone feel welcome, which I deeply appreciated as a first-time walker with this group.

Observing Life

One of the core goals of the walk was to immerse ourselves in the fundamental pillars of street photography: composition, colour theory, storytelling, and portraiture. The learning began the moment our feet hit the pavement.

Lopa di showed us how to truly observe the life unfolding around us—how the city wakes up, and how the rich tapestry of daily routines plays out like a quiet drama on the streets. All we had to do was be patient, watch, and capture. As we moved along, we discovered incredible faces. When we approached people with a genuine smile and respected their boundaries, they happily broke into warm smiles, letting us capture their portraits.

A rainy Calcutta on Sunday

Rains: A Challenge or Just More Character?

Just as we reached Tiretta Bazaar, the skies opened up, and it began to pour heavily. While it initially felt like a logistical hurdle, the downpour quickly transformed the environment, opening our lenses to stunning new compositions and subjects.

The rain added an incredible layer of character and depth to the frames. Suddenly, the street came alive in a whole new way: a flurry of colourful umbrellas popped up, and people darted across the marketplace seeking shelter. I managed to frame a little girl furiously pedalling her small bicycle, her face entirely serious and completely unbothered by the downpour. A moment later, a pair of burqa-clad ladies walked past, sharing a single umbrella as they navigated the puddles. We were all utterly engrossed, clicking away and testing the limits of our cameras.

Repose: An Excuse to Pause

Amidst all the market hustle and the rush of the rain, we also stumbled upon moments of profound quiet. We saw rickshaw pullers nestled deep inside their seats, catching a peaceful mid-morning rest as the rhythm of the rain set the mood. We spotted tired vendors snuggling under the blue tarpaulin sheets spread over their cargo carts, and cautious street cats peering out from beneath parked yellow taxis. It was a Sunday morning, after all, and the city was taking its time to wake up.

Hand-pulled rickshaws of Calcutta

Colours and Simulations

As I kept busy capturing the myriad frames around me, the X-H2S proved to be incredibly intuitive. It was lightweight and ergonomically straightforward, which allowed me to focus entirely on my composition rather than fiddling with buttons in the damp weather.

I was particularly captivated by the gorgeous, film-like saturation the sensor delivered. A massive highlight of the experience was experimenting with Fujifilm’s native film simulations. Knowing that the brand has packed decades of colour science and photographic film heritage into these digital presets is remarkable. Choosing the right analogue film simulation allowed me to instantly dial in the exact moody, nostalgic visual aesthetic I wanted for my rainy-day story.

Analogue colour simulations in Fujifilm

Bow Barracks

Walking further, we decided to route through Bow Barracks, the historic home of Calcutta’s Anglo-Indian community. One of the greatest joys of walking through this city is experiencing its sweeping cultural diversity; within our short walk, we encountered people from Sikh, Indian-Chinese, Bihari, and Anglo-Indian communities. This cultural mosaic is something I am incredibly proud of.

At Bow Barracks, the fresh rain made the signature red brickwork and green windows look incredibly vibrant. We crossed paths with a gentleman walking out into the lane with his bicycle and an umbrella. When we approached him with a smile, he kindly obliged us with a photograph, and we stayed back a moment to share a warm chat.

A Bow Barracks resident

End of a Successful Photo Walk

Slowly, our steps led us back to the starting point just as the sun began to peek through the final spell of rain. It was time to return the gear, collect some well-earned refreshments, and reflect on the morning.

We stood around sharing our favourite frames and stories from the walk. Ultimately, the best part of an event like this is the community. Surrounding yourself with people who share the same creative passion makes the exchange of ideas dynamic and deeply interactive. From the youngest beginners to seasoned hobbyists, it was an absolute joy to shoot alongside this group. A special thank you to Rajan Da, Aritra, and Lopa Di for curating a beautiful, value-packed photo walk despite the rain.

A rainy day photo walk by Fujifilm