It was no accident that we specifically chose Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the destination for the Urban Street Narratives photography workshop in 2026. There are many factors and unique qualities that contributed to Kuala Lumpur being such an attractive place to do street photography. Being here for more than 15 years, I have explored the streets hundreds of times, and I have never failed to come home with beautiful street images from every session. I want to share my experience shooting on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, and why I strongly believe you will love them too.
Kuala Lumpur is the melting pot of people from different background and cultures. The primary races residing in the city are Malay, Chinese and Indian. Within 5 kilometers radius from the city center, you can easily identify locations showcasing the special cultural heritage. For example, Petaling Street is known as the Chinatown of Malaysia, with Chinese temples, street designs with typical Chinese elements and the night street market vendors buzzling alive right in the middle of the city. Then just about a few quick train stations away, enter Kampung Baru, a well-preserved traditional Malay styled village with wooden houses and rustic-styled architecture, blending seamlessly with the towering city skyscrapers as the backdrop. Just within a stone’s throw is Brickfields, or KL Sentral area where the Indian community would flock together for numerous large colorful Hindu celebrations throughout the year, including the festival of light – Diwali. You get to witness and experience so many different and colorful cultures within an urban setting, that is Kuala Lumpur.
What I love about Kuala Lumpur is how friendly the people are. I think this is not exclusive to Malaysia, but a widely known South East Asian positive trait. People are not shy from cameras, and when approached, they are always warm and friendly, generous with smiles and greetings, and you can easily strike up a conversation with anyone. I particularly love taking photographs of strangers, and I always seek permission before doing so. Of course, you may not get 100% success rate, and that is perfectly fine, but I get 90% approval most of the time, and the beautiful smiles of these Malaysians have become the recurring theme of my on-going photo project of shooting random people on the streets. You may possibly even make a friend or two out of a day’s out of photo-walking here in Kuala Lumpur!
One of the locations I love to shoot often is the wet market. There are several wet markets in Kuala Lumpur, the popular ones being Pudu and Chow Kit. These wet markets are truly wet, as the name implies, selling meat, vegetables, fish, seafood and all kinds of fresh produce. Hygiene is definitely questionable, no doubt as you stroll around the market you may get overwhelmed not just by the intense pungent scent (think of fish, poultry and seafood), but by the loudness of the vendors yelling for attention and potential customers, as well as the extra hot and humid conditions where it is impossible not to sweat buckets in. With all the senses being overdriven, it may be difficult to focus and compose meaningful shots, but if you have familiarized yourself with the wet market, it can be one of the most interesting places to shoot in town! I have gotten some of my best shots from the wet market in Kuala Lumpur over the years.
I think I have teased enough of how wonderful Kuala Lumpur is for street photography. Honestly, no words can fully describe my experience, and the only way to do that is to explore it for yourself. This Urban Street Narratives photography workshop aims to do just that, not only we are encouraging you to do your best in your photography, but also to do that in these fantastic locations that I cannot wait to share with you all and show you around. I cordially invite you to join us on the beautiful streets of Kuala Lumpur, and we shall have a great time together clicking our cameras away, while enjoying the local culture here!
Robin Wong