Raghubir Singh (1942–1999) was an Indian photographer widely regarded as a pioneer of color street photography. At a time when black-and-white dominated serious photographic practice, Singh championed color as an essential medium for capturing the vibrancy and complexity of Indian life.

His work is characterized by dense compositions, layered perspectives, and a masterful use of color, often drawing on the visual traditions of Indian miniature painting and Western modernist photography. Singh photographed extensively across India, capturing everyday scenes, public spaces, and the dynamic interplay of people and environment.

His photobooks, including River of Colour and A Way Into India, are considered seminal works in the history of color photography and photobook publishing. For collectors, Singh’s work holds major historical importance, representing a foundational shift in the acceptance of color photography within both documentary and artistic contexts.

Raghubir Singh was an Indian photographer known for pioneering vibrant color in street and documentary photography. He was born in Jaipur in 1942, worked extensively across India, and published influential monographs such as ‘The River of Colour’. His approach combined the spontaneity of Cartier-Bresson with the chromatic traditions of Indian miniature painting. Singh passed away in New York in 1999, leaving a rich body of work that has been exhibited worldwide and collected by major museums.