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Street Portraits from Kuala Lumpur

In this journal entry, I’m sharing a series of black-and-white street photos from three of my favourite neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur. Brickfields (commonly known as Little India), Pasar Seni (Chinatown), and my current neighbourhood Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI). Each neighbourhood has its own distinct charm, and the street portraits capture the daily life and unique characters of these areas.

About the Portrait Photo

One of the featured portraits in this entry was taken in a small alley in TTDI. The subject is a woman preparing food in an outdoor kitchen for a nearby restaurant. She’s carefully wrapping sticky rice parcels in banana leaves, her hands moving with skill and precision. When I approached her, she graciously allowed me to take a few shots. The soft morning light highlights her features beautifully, creating a natural, intimate moment. As with all my street photos, I don’t use any artificial lighting-just the morning light and the scene as it unfolded.

Street portrait in black and white of a woman preparing food for a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
Street portrait in black and white of a woman preparing food for a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
Category: Street photography
Style: Documentary photography
Subject: People
Medium: Black and white photograph
© Tahnia Roberts, 2020
Tahnia Roberts

Author Tahnia Roberts

I explore and document urban and natural environments, often focusing on reflections, shadows, and patterns. My camera walks allow me to capture found objects and scenes that tell stories through everyday details. In my journal, I share these explorations and offer a glimpse into my process.

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