On the Streets of Mehrauli Delhi with the Fujifilm X-T30 III

Reading Time: 6 minutes

I’ve been to Qutub Minar around 10 times. But I had never once walked the streets of Mehrauli that surround it.

That changed when I attended the Fujifilm Spectrum event in Delhi — a launch event for the new Fujifilm X-T30 III. At the event, I heard about a street photography contest happening in Mehrauli, open to invite-only participants, running pan-India.

I registered without thinking too much about it.

There would be 5 winners, and the first prize is the Fujifilm X-T30 III itself.

The Fujifilm X-T30 III Contest

Each participant gets the Fujifilm X-T30 III for the duration of the shoot. 

You have 1 to 1.5 hours to photograph the streets of Mehrauli. At the end, you submit your 5 best images — straight out of the camera, no editing, no post-processing.

Straight out of the camera means using the Fujifilm’s film simulation, colour science, and your own eye are doing all the work. No post-production. 

How to Reach Mehrauli Delhi

By Metro

The most affordable option from anywhere in Delhi NCR. Take the Yellow Line to Qutub Minar metro station — it’s the closest stop.

From the station, take an auto to wherever you need to be in Mehrauli. The auto fare is around Rs. 30 to Rs. 50.

By Cab

The fastest option, especially early in the morning when the metro frequency is lower. I took a cab from home to the Qutub Minar parking — it cost me around Rs. 350, and took about 30 minutes to reach.

On the return, I took the metro.

If you’re coming from West Delhi and heading to Mehrauli for a early morning shoot, take 1.5 hrs in hand.

Reaching the Meeting Point

The designated meeting point was the Qutub Minar parking area. Meeting time was 7 AM.

By metro, it would have taken me close to 1-1.5 hr from home. I was running a little late, so I booked a cab instead. And reached before time. It was worth saving the time. 

Everyone arrived by 7:15 AM. The cameras were distributed, everybody had to bring their own SD cards, and the submission guidelines were explained. 

Moving from there, we gathered at Bhool Bhulaiya for a group photo before spreading out in different directions across Mehrauli.

The Walk Begins

We moved from the parking toward Mehrauli Sabzi Mandi, passing through the streets of Mehrauli.

It was a quiet weekend morning when we started. 

Mehrauli at 8 AM has the same quality as any early morning spots in Delhi — quiet, unhurried, and worth the early wake-up.

The vendors were setting up their stalls. Shopkeepers were unlocking shutters. A few people were returning from morning walks. The city was starting its day.

• One creative photo advice: Airplanes pass over this part of Delhi constantly—every 10-15 mins. Keep an eye upward, and you can frame it creatively. 

I had the X-T30 III in my hand, and it already felt familiar — I shoot on a Fujifilm X-T3, so the controls were identical. For better camera control, I adjusted the display settings to suit how I shoot and started moving.

Photo I took using Fujifilm XT30 III

I was walking slowly, observing every corner. Not rushing toward any particular frame — just walking and seeing what appeared.

I saw an empty Auto, and found the street vendors were just setting up. Immidiately, got an idea to photography from inside the Auto.

I asked the vendor can I photograph you while you keep doing your work—he soft spokenly said yes.

The person sitting in the middle was very interested to get photographed. I simply guided him.

I saw a Municipal waste collection truck, the cigratte spoke was coming out of the window, I quickly saw my frame and freezed the moment.

I spotted a few children coming out of a lane, carrying their yoga mats.

One of them was eager to get photographed — you could tell immediately. Instead of a straight portrait, I thought to frame it differently. I asked him to hold still for a few seconds and shot it my way.

When I passed a man drinking water, I asked him to continue so I could get the shot.

I saw the person coming multiple times, got on my knees to get a low angle shot—the light was adding to the frame.

Mehrauli Sabji Mandi

After a few mins of walk I reached Mehrauli sabji mandi.

It was a beautiful chaos everywhere.

I message arrives to gather at the parking lot. And I started moving.

5 Submitted Images Straight out of the Camera

I reached and saw most of the participants are already standing and chit-chatting there.

Meanwhile, I took out the SD card and submitted the camera back safely.

Here are the 5 photos I submitted:

• Shot on Fujifilm XT30 III
• Film simulation for color photo – Velvia
• Film simulation for Black & White photo – Monochrome
• Straight out of the Camera
• No Editing

Final Thoughts

I’ve shot Delhi in many moods — India Gate in the rain being one of my favourites. Mehrauli in the early morning is a different side of the same city.

My approach for this contest — and whenever I go out with a camera is simple. Give your everything.

I wasn’t thinking about which images would get selected while I was shooting. I was only thinking about the frame in front of me and whether I was doing justice to it.

Let’s see what happens. Winning would be something else entirely.