Keerti Siag on Learning, Community, and Multi‑Genre Photography (Photo Country Podcast Ep. 64)

Episode 64 of the Photo Country podcast, hosted by Rajeev Nedumaran, is recorded on Waiake Beach in Torbay, Auckland with Keerti Siag, a Sony digital imaging advocate and multi-genre photographer originally from Chandigarh, Punjab. Keerti shares how she emigrated to New Zealand in 2011, ran a Torbay grocery store for five years, then sold the business and traveled New Zealand during COVID, which helped spark her transition from hobbyist to paid photographer with encouragement from friends and her husband. She credits consistent learning, reaching out to photographers, attending workshops, and building community for her growth, and explains why she rejects strict niching despite algorithm pressures. Keerti discusses her teaching background in English literature, her work leading youth workshops with Imagine8, her involvement with Sony Scene workshops and mentors, her belief that photography creates emotion beyond AI, and her advice: find support, join community, and practice.

00:00 Learning Fueled the Journey

00:46 Beachside Podcast Intro

01:47 Firsts and Experimenting

02:36 Burnout and Coming Back

03:37 Serendipity and Names

04:39 From India to NZ Career Shift

08:01 Photography Roots in India

09:04 Why Multi Genre Works

11:35 Mentors And Support

12:26 Problem Solver Mindset

12:58 Workshops And Teaching Path

14:59 Literature Teaching Roots

16:45 Punjab Memories And Landscapes

18:29 Podcasting And Storytelling

20:27 Prints That Move People

22:38 Future Vision And AI

23:32 Three Tips And Farewell

Episode 63: Printing, Calibration, and Craft with Gary Ashton of Photo Prints

In episode 63 of the Photo Country Podcast, Rajeev records a face-to-face video conversation in Auckland with returning guest Gary Ashton, who runs the Photo Prints printing and framing business. Gary describes starting Photo Prints about 10 years ago after learning from family in Australia, running it alongside a long-time shoe repair shop in Ponsonby, and moving to printing full time after COVID reduced shoe repair demand. They discuss Epson wide-format printers, RIP software, paper/ink profiling, monitor calibration tools like Spyder devices, and how uncalibrated screens affect print results. Gary compares phone vs mirrorless/DSLR prints, explains paper choices (luster, matte, cotton rag), and shares experiments with metal sublimation printing. He talks about his own photography interests (birds, landscapes, Milky Way), editing in RAW, AI-assisted denoise/removal versus AI image generation, film’s renewed interest, photography costs, and travel photo goals like the South Island and Iceland for northern lights.

00:00 Live Podcast Kickoff

00:59 Reuniting With Gary

01:51 Inside Photo Prints Shop

02:02 From Shoe Repair to Prints

03:15 Color Accuracy and Calibration

05:43 Who Prints and Why

06:53 Gary's Photography Journey

09:28 Paper Choices and Cotton Rag

10:53 Metal Prints Experiment

12:11 Value of Printed Art

13:52 AI Tools and Editing Taste

15:43 Film Profiles and Revival

17:22 Gear Costs and Bucket List

19:11 Final Thanks and Sign Off

Episode 62: A Heart for Art with Dr. Howard Grill Host: Rajeev Nedumaran Guest: Dr. Howard Grill

Overview In this episode, host Rajeev Nedumaran sits down with Dr. Howard Grill, a retired interventional cardiologist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to explore "Act Two" of his life. Howard shares how he transitioned from the demanding world of medicine to embarking on a creative journey through photography, abstract painting, and multiple exposures. The two discuss the therapeutic benefits of art, overcoming imposter syndrome, and finding new creative outlets later in life.

Key Takeaways

Art as Healing: How creating and viewing art offers measurable therapeutic benefits for both creators and patients.

The Patient Portrait Project: The story behind Howard’s hospital installation that captured patient portraits along with audio stories.

Technique & Experimentation: Exploring camera blend modes, Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), and using painting as a tool to fuel abstract photographic work.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Practical advice on dealing with imposter syndrome and sharing your creative work with confidence.