Photo Country - Inspiring Stories of Photographers Around the World

The Entrepreneurial Journey of Justin Castles and Lucky StrapsIn episode 49 of Photo Country, host Rajeev interviews Justin Castles, the photographer and entrepreneur behind Lucky Straps, renowned for their comfortable, handmade camera straps. Justin shares his transition from photography to entrepreneurship, detailing the inception of Lucky Straps, its growth, and its unique selling points like personalization and international shipping. The episode explores challenges and strategies in product development, marketing, and expanding product lines. The conversation also dives into user-generated content, the importance of starting small in business, and the potential for collaboration. Additionally, Rajeev discusses his podcast journey, touching on the challenges of hosting a photography-focused podcast and the effectiveness of leveraging multiple mediums to enhance audience engagement.00:00 Welcome to Photo Country: Meet Justin Castles00:21 Discovering the Comfort of Lucky Straps02:04 Sponsor Spotlight: Magic Mind's Boost for Creatives03:10 Deep Dive into Justin's Journey: From Photography to Entrepreneurship04:44 The Evolution of a Photography Career and Lucky Straps05:00 Navigating the Challenges of a Dual Career and Business Growth13:23 The Art of Personalization and Global Reach of Lucky Straps16:24 Scaling Handmade Products and Marketing Strategies19:32 Exploring User-Generated Content and Community Engagement28:22 Justin's Passion for Action Photography and Wedding Photography Insights33:38 Exploring New Product Lines: Gloves and Beyond34:41 Collaboration and Expansion: A New Direction for Lucky Straps36:15 The Moment Brand Evolution: A Case Study for Growth40:01 Designing the Ideal Camera Bag: Challenges and Aspirations44:06 Innovating Quick Release Straps: The Journey and Challenges51:31 Navigating Online Sales and Brand Focus54:49 Podcasting Passion: From Photography to PoliticsYou can check out the straps on www.luckystraps.com----Don't forget to check out www.magicmind.com - Sponsor for this episode. The energy drink that keeps me productive and focused. use www.magicmind.co/photocountry with discount code RAJEEV20 for up to 56% off your subscription. I'd get the 30-pack if I was you It is the best value. So go check it out and thanks Magic Mind for sponsoring this video. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

A Journey into the World of Wildlife Photography with Dev Anand Paul - Ep. 48In this episode of the Photo Country podcast, host Rajeev speaks to wildlife photographer Devanand Paul. Devanand had a successful corporate career, before switching to his passion, wildlife photography. He shares his experiences of traveling the globe from the Himalayas to the savannas of Africa, documenting the planet's flora and fauna. The podcast covers various topics including tracking and capturing rare bird species in their natural habitats successfully, handling low light situations, effective camera settings, and processing images properly. Devanand also highlights the importance of knowing the subject, understanding your camera, post-processing, and sharing photos with others for learning and inspiration.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:11 Meet Devanand Paul: From Corporate to Wildlife Photography01:11 The Journey of a Wildlife Photographer02:43 Getting Started in Birding and Wildlife Photography05:17 The Art of Wildlife Photography: Equipment and Techniques09:57 The Challenges and Rewards of Wildlife Photography18:37 The Future of Wildlife Photography: Plans and Aspirations23:53 Advice for Aspiring Wildlife Photographers25:43 Closing Remarks and FarewellA word about our sponsor for this episode - www.magicmind.comI have a very special sponsor for this episode - it’s called Magic Mind. Its seriously a magic elixir. So, when you are working, when it’s around 2 in the afternoon, your energy levels drop. drinking endless cups of tea was not really cutting it. So instead of that, I tried this little drink and man it packs a punch, I should say. big things come in small packages, they say and this is really it.You can get it at: www.magicmind.co/photocountry and with the discount code RAJEEV20, you also get up to 56% off your first subscription or 20% off your one-time purchase. If you’re already a subscriber, you save on your next subscription payment Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 47 of Photo Country Podcast: Exploring the World through Photography with Mr. Vivek PatwardhanIn episode 47 of the Photo Country podcast, the host has an in-depth conversation with guest Mr. Vivek Patwardhan, a guru in the HR and learning profession who also has a passion for photography, writing, and poetry. Mr. Patwardhan shares his journey in photography, which started with capturing images using his phone on Facebook, and the importance of active hobbies like writing and sketching. He talks about the unintended discovery of passion in different fields such as podcasting and provides insightful thoughts about the corporate world's perspective towards imagery and symbolism. The episode ends with a teaser for the next episode featuring a wildlife photographer, Dev Anand Paul.00:10 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:27 Getting to Know Mr. Vivek Patwardhan00:50 The Art of Photography and Its Importance01:17 Starting the Conversation with Mr. Vivek Patwardhan03:57 Exploring Mr. Vivek Patwardhan's Artistic Journey07:21 The Role of Creativity in Mr. Vivek Patwardhan's Life10:47 Mr. Vivek Patwardhan's Introduction to Photography11:56 The Art of Street Photography15:58 The Intersection of Coaching and Creativity19:40 The Importance of Having a Hobby20:30 The Importance of Active Hobbies20:49 The Constant Pursuit of Perfection22:02 The Misuse and Abuse of the Word 'Passion'22:39 Indications of True Passion23:21 The Power of Spontaneity27:00 The Joy of Storytelling27:17 The Discovery of Passion27:58 The Role of Talent in Passion28:30 The Journey of Photography32:06 The Power of Imagery and Symbolism32:55 The Potential of Podcasting33:38 Closing Remarks and Future PlansDon’t forget to check out his blog - www.vivekvsp.com or his Instagram handle - vivekpatwardhan Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 46: The Magic and Future of Analog Photography with Sasikanth SomuIn this episode, Rajeev chats with Sasikanth Somu, a practitioner and teacher of analog photography from Auroville, Pondicherry. Sasikanth shares his journey of discovering photography through an old Kodak box brownie, his passion for analog processes, and how he teaches photography. He discusses the unique aspects of film photography, the effect of digital fatigue, and how analog and digital mediums can coexist. Discussions also touch upon the revival interest in analog photography and experiments within the field, like cyanotype. The future of analog photography and the accessibility and affordability of the medium are among the topics explored in the episode. Finally, Sasikanth advises those interested in exploring analog photography.00:05 Introduction and Welcome00:10 Introducing the Guest: Sasikanth Somu01:15 Beginning the Conversation with Sasikanth02:31 Sasikanth's Journey into Photography06:59 Sasikanth's Experience with Analog Photography07:45 Teaching Photography in Auroville11:05 The Future of Film Photography17:23 Sasikanth's Personal Photography Style24:51 The Relevance of Film in Today's World31:42 Advice for Aspiring Film Photographers36:05 Conclusion and Wrap UpPhotographs by Sasi SomuHis Instagram - www.instagram.com/sasisomu/Tor Eigeland’s Instagram and websitehttps://www.instagram.com/toreigeland/https://www.toreigeland.com/I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode. Please subscribe and leave a comment to support this podcast or you can buy me a coffee! Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 45 - Nikki Clendinning: Documenting the Banality of Everyday LifeIn this episode of the Photo Country podcast, host Rajeev chats with Nikki Clendinning, an urban and street photographer. Nikki shares her unique approach to photography, finding beauty in everyday scenes that others might overlook. She talks about her experiences and techniques, discussing her journey from analog to digital photography, the influence of lateral architectural studies on her work, and her love for plants and music. Nikki provides valuable tips for budding street photographers and shares her experience using a Fujifilm camera.01:09 Starting the Band: Struggling Drummer Search01:37 Dual Instagram Accounts & Nightshade: Landscape Architecture & Photography03:34 Music, Planting & Photography: Nikki’s Three Hobbies04:18 Landscape Architecture: Misunderstood Profession05:21 Urban Photography: Capturing Cities & A Vancouver Experience06:51 Critical Comparison: Between Vancouver and Auckland City08:57 Fujifilm & Street Photography: Technique, Challenge, & Camera Settings09:21 Influences & Homage: Inspired by Vivian Maier and Robert Mapplethorpe14:31 Digital Practice: Development from connections25:02 Assumed Identity: Using Initials Instead of Name08:51 Photography Future: View of Photography Role Post Landscape Architect TrainingYou can check out Nikki's work on her Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/njc.photographic/Do like, share and subscribe to this podcast on Substack or whichever platform you listen to for your podcasts. Till the next episode, stay safe and keep clicking. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Ep. 44 - Conversation with Tatiana Harper: A Passionate Photographer's JourneyIn episode 44, Rajeev interviews Auckland-based lifestyle photographer, Tatiana Harper. The conversation explores Tatiana's journey from being an accountant to a professional photographer, her choice of genres, and her transition into the photography industry. Tatiana opens up about her love for lifestyle and event photography, preferring DSLR technology over mirrorless, and her experiences shooting film and digital. She further discusses the challenges of working in a saturated photography market and shares insights from her experience on how to survive in this industry.00:01 Introduction01:02 Early days in Photography03:00 Type of Photography08:09 Transitioning from Corporate Life to Photography13:22 Building a name in Photography28:35 Gear and Lens Choices32:51 Future plans33:05 Closing thoughts Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. You're listening to episode 43 of the Photo Country podcast with yours truly Rajeev. I caught up with Kartik Chaudhry, the creative mind behind Inscape Media for this episode. I first met Kartik as a filmmaker when I was working with an advertising agency in Goa India.He was part of a production house in Mumbai. For some reason, our wavelengths synced up and we have been creative collaborators ever since.One of the reasons probably is that we have both big-time comic book fans since childhood. Anyway, I have been after Kartik to get him on the podcast. And finally, he relented. The reason I wanted to talk to him is that he started out as a photographer before making the transition to become a filmmaker in the Hindi film industry. So that's a perspective that I wanted to explore.I personally feel that in every creative person's life, that is a. there is an ah-ha moment. When a light bulb goes off in your brain. Your eyes fly wide open. And you realize that holy s**t, this is something that I can do really well. And this is something that I can do for the rest of my life. For Kartik, it happened during his journalism course when he had his first run-in with the camera.I have always believed that photographers are one frame away from becoming filmmakers. As photographers, we're always capturing moments in life and putting them in a narrative sequence to tell a story. That is not far from converting them into 24 frames per second. So, this is exactly what Kartik did. For him, there was always this drive to explore and expand his creativity. And that led him to filmmaking.I hope you enjoyed listening to this conversation with Kartik Chaudhry. Photo Country is a passion project of mine. Please do leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcast. Or you can do one more thing. You can buy me a coffee. That's right. Go to buymeacoffee.com/photocountry and show your support.Photo Country with Rajeev is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. After a bit of a break, I'm back with episode 42. And this special episode, we feature Masban Pereira from Mumbai. Whose lens captures the essence of East Indian weddings and events like no other. But before we dive into this episode, let's set the stage with a touch of history.The East Indians are a community with a rich and storied heritage.Their roots trace back to the days of colonial India. They descend from the original inhabitants of the seven islands that make up Mumbai.These resilient and vibrant people known as East Indians have a captivating history that unfolds like a tapestry of cultures. Their story intertwines with the Portuguese, British, and Indian influences resulting in a unique blend of traditions and customs that are still cherished today.Originating from the historic seven islands of Mumbai, the East Indians have left an indelible mark on the city's cultural mosaic contributing to its unique charm. Read on as we unravel the tapestry of east indian culture through the lens of the talented Masban Pereira.I was introduced to Masban's work by his brother, Neil. A very good friend of mine who's also a photographer, based in Auckland. He was one of the very first photographers that I interviewed for this podcast. Masban and his brothers were introduced to photography through their father. Masban Pereira is unique in the sense that he is someone who exclusively focuses on the Catholic East Indian community. This is a community that has a rich and storied history. His photography reflects the community that he is a part of.You can check out Masban’s work on his website www.flashbacks.in or on his Instagram - flashbacks.inI hope you enjoyed this conversation with Masban Pereira. Photo country is a passion project of mine. Please do leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcast. Are you going to do one more thing? You can buy me a coffee. That's right. Go to buymeacoffee.com/photocountry and show your support. Thank you so much for your support. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

 Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to episode 41 of the Photo Country podcast. And I'm your host Rajeev. In this episode, I talked to a photographer and business owner. Amanda King from, By The Horns. I actually got really fascinated with the cattle shots that were popping up on my Facebook feed sometime back. And I have been following her work ever since. Her work is distinguished by the larger-than-life, imposing images of these majestic Highland cows.I have never seen anything like that before. Because they are framed, on a black or white background. And it's got a singular focus. These cows really look at you.You can't miss them. If you put them up on the wall. So that's what really got me curious, and I have always wanted to, invite Amanda to the show and talk to her about her process.You're going to take away a couple of things from this conversation.* What goes into running a photography business, and* How do you keep reinventing yourself in the face of an ever-changing marketplace?Plus a whole bunch of nuggets of some amazing insights into how you can turn your passion project into a thriving business. You can follow Amanda on her Instagram feed by.the.horns. Or buy some prints from her website bythehorns.co.nzBefore we get into the conversation, a shout-out to all the amazing listeners of the show. I have one request for you all: Leave a review on Apple or Spotify. And tell me why you like the show and who is your favorite photographer. And I will definitely feature you on the show.Amanda started off as a school teacher and found her passion for photography through a workshop that the school sent her to learn the craft to teach at school. That serendipitous moment took Amanda on a journey that she never expected to go on.Raising a young family on a working farm while managing a growing business brought its own set of challenges. From flakey internet to managing printers across different geographies around the world, Amanda has made this work. Her prints hang on walls in Australia, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and the UK to name a few places. Her story is truly remarkable and a great inspiration to upcoming photographers.She has also brought out a coffee table book - a compilation of her images, called A Load of Bull, published by Penguin Book New Zealand. This is a book that you would want in your collection! Such an amazing set of images showcasing the majestic highland cattle.She has now diversified her imagery into botanicals too. She also has plans to extend her offerings through textiles and furnishings as well. It is a great way to repurpose the portfolio.Thank you so much, Amanda. Thank you for sharing your experience and insights into running a business and following a passion.Amanda King’s Links:* Instagram - by.the.horns* Website - bythehorns.co.nzI hope you guys liked this episode as much as I did putting it together for you. Don't forget to leave a review on why you like the show and who your favorite photographers are. And who your favorite photographer is on Apple or Spotify. You can also email me at rajeev@photocountry.co. And I will feature you next time.Big thank you to my pal Niloyd Pereira for the music. You're amazing. Go show him some love on Instagram, vintagelensshooter .That's all for me this time. Till the next episode, stay safe and keep clicking. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello Beautiful People!In this episode of the Photo Country Podcast, we are delighted to feature an insightful conversation with Selvaprakash Lakshmanan, a distinguished independent photographer hailing from the vibrant cities of Bangalore and Chennai, India. Join us as we delve into his remarkable journey through the world of photography and his captivating work that has left an indelible mark on the global photographic landscape.📸 Guest Profile: Selvaprakash LakshmananSelvaprakash Lakshmanan is not just a photographer; he's a visual storyteller who captures the essence of life, culture, and emotions through his lens. His portfolio boasts an impressive array of international publications, including The New York Times, Der Spiegel, Forbes, and Fortune, among others. A contributing photographer at Redux Pictures and Getty Global Assignment, Selvaprakash's work has graced the pages of esteemed publications around the world.🏆 Recognition and AchievementsSelvaprakash's dedication to his craft has earned him numerous accolades and acknowledgments. He was honored with the 2007 Paris Match Award, a testament to his exceptional talent and unique perspective. His involvement in workshops and exhibitions across the globe has further solidified his reputation as a photographer of distinction.🌍 Exhibitions and ImpactSelvaprakash's work has transcended borders, connecting with audiences from different corners of the world. His photographs have been exhibited at prestigious venues, such as the World Photojournalism Festival in China, Singapore International Photo Festival, Angkor Photo Festival in Cambodia, and many more. Through his captivating visuals, Selvaprakash sheds light on diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding among people.📷 From Newspapers to Global RecognitionSelvaprakash's journey began in the world of journalism, where he served as a staff photographer for prominent newspapers like Dinamalar and Dinakaran. His transition from newspapers to international recognition speaks volumes about his ability to capture powerful narratives in single frames. Chief Photographer stints at DNA and TimeOut Magazine further enriched his repertoire.Join us in this episode as Selvaprakash Lakshmanan shares his experiences, insights, and the stories behind his lens that have captivated audiences around the world. Discover the magic that unfolds when a talented photographer combines passion, dedication, and a keen eye for detail.Tune in to the latest episode of the Photo Country Podcast and explore the world through the lens of Selvaprakash Lakshmanan. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that offers a glimpse into the life and work of an exceptional photographer.Listen on any of your favourite podcast platform. Be inspired by Selvaprakash's journey, his unique perspectives, and his commitment to visual storytelling that transcends boundaries. 🎙️📷If you want to get a list of the best podcasts on photography in the world right now, then make sure to check out https://podcasts.feedspot.com/photography_podcasts/ - Don't forget to check out Podcast no. 75 on this list. You will find a familiar name! Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. This is episode 39. And in this episode, I caught up wiht Madhavan Palanisamy. Friends call him Maddy. He is a photographer from Chennai, India. He brings various art forms together - Writing, drawing, photography, and moving images.He's fascinated with magic realism. And through his work, he attempts to interpret the strange world that we live in. Through his playful images, he asks those profound questions that we all face - Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here? And how are we connected? So without further ado, let's get into this conversation with Maddie."What I'm feeling in my head, I'm seeing a picture, I'm like remembering some conversation. I'm remembering some images immediately. So it's your mind, like when you talk to somebody about your experience, you'll be thinking all that. But in a picture just comes as one image. So like in most of these personal projects, I see the image as the entry point and not the exit point. And then you kind of construct some things around it and make the experience your own." - MaddieHe started off his career in the advertising world as a client servicing exec and soon gravitated toward the creative side of the business and his exploration has taken him in a direction that you would never have expected in the beginning.His work - “Appa and other animals” - was displayed as part of a group show by Lens Culture in New York in 2022. It has also been featured in many magazines and awards around the world."I've been drawing, had difficult ideas about like, you know, how to draw. Then I didn't have proper anatomy. Sometimes I do like copy drawings, so, but I used to scribble a lot in my early school and college and you know, even when I started working, but only when I kind of advertising started drawing." - MaddieOne of the photographs that I liked was the juxtaposition of two images linked by line drawings. The lines were a graphical and stone age rock art feel to it.It was a fascinating conversation that I had with Maddie. I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did bringing it to you. Many thanks to Ravindran Solomon for suggesting that I talk to Maddie for this episode.You can find Maddie’s work on his Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madhavan.palanisamy/His website - https://madhavanpalanisamy.com/As always, I appreciate each and every one of you who listened to this podcast. Please do share this podcast with someone, you know, who loves photography. Like we do. You can also visit www.photocountry.co and subscribe to my newsletter and be updated with all the latest episodes.I have some great photographers, who will be coming on the podcast in the next few episodes. So stay tuned. Till then stay safe. And keep clicking.Thank you for reading Photo Country with Rajeev. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello beautiful people!It’s been a while since I posted an episode on my podcast. I have been away on a visit to my homeland of Madurai, Tamilnadu, India. I had a wedding to attend. And boy was it hot! I was sweating buckets and I had buckets of fun too!!I managed to catch a local festival and I had great fun shooting it. You can check out my photo essay on this. Head on over to my blog and have a look.https://www.photocountry.co/posts/madurai-temple-festivalAnd now to Episode 38. Avondale, the neighborhood that I live in, has a lively community presence to it. As part of the local art space, All Goods, I have run many photo walks and workshops. One of my popular walks was to the Oakley Creek Waterfall - the only waterfall within the city limits of Auckland.Rebecca Ronald, the guest on this episode, had participated and it had a significant influence on her photography practice. It’s gratifying to note that the work that I do has a positive influence on people!Rebecca’s feed popped up on my Instagram when I noticed her work next to the Avondale Train Station, as part of a community art walk initiative by Whau The People, a local community organization.Her work celebrates nature. They are all about the greenery that surrounds you. They are plants that we take for granted. And she is on a mission to educate the public about them.They are beautiful close-up shots of the leaves. If you get a chance, walk by the Avondale Train Station to have a look. They even have little QR codes which lead you to more information on the plants.Greeting cards featuring Reb’s work are currently stocked at:Hereford 'n' a Pickle, Colville, Coromandel* Side Storey Gallery, Colville, Coromandel* Upstairs Gallery, Titirangi, Auckland* The Women's Bookshop, Ponsonby, Auckland* Ecomatters Store, New Lynn, AucklandCheck out her feed on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rebsleafylens/Or Reb’s website - www.rebsleafylens.co.nzThank you for reading Photo Country with Rajeev. This post is public so feel free to share it. Do have a look at my photography blog - www.photocountry.co for interesting articles on the art and poetry of photography. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to episode 37 of photo country.I took a wee bit of a break from the last episode due to work commitments. But I'm back with an episode with a good friend of mine, Juliano Baby. He's an award-winning photographer from Brazil, currently based in New Zealand. Landscapes, products, action. You name it, he has done it all. He used to be a professional volleyball player before his transition into photography.I found him, funnily enough at work. Believe it or not, he is a colleague at SCG where I have my day job.So after a lot of back and forth in between his shoots and work, we got together for an interesting chat.You can find Juliano's work on this website - www.julianobaby.com or follow him on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/julianobaby_photographer/Don't forget to check out www.photocountry.co for the video version plus the transcripts.Till the next episode, stay safe and keep clicking! Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello beautiful people!Welcome to Photo Country and I am your host Rajeev. This is Episode 36 and I have a very special guest for you. He is none other than Kavi Arasu, an old mate of mine from Madurai, my hometown. He is a story teller and using stories he helps organizations become better at what they do. Both of us pretty much grew up together right from school and I don’t think both of us imagined that life would take such directions for us. But it did and here we are. I recorded this conversation long time back when I was starting out in podcasting. And I thought it was time I dusted out some of my old conversations and revisit them. You can read Kavi’s stories on his blog - kaviarasu.com or follow him on instagram https://www.instagram.com/kavi.arasu/To tell you the truth he is an amazing writer and you will definitely enjoy his stories on his blog. Keep doing what you do, Kavi. Looking forward to more stories from you. In the next episode, we talk to a rocking photographer from Brazil, Juliano Baby. He is based in Auckland nowadays and he is a good friend of mine. Don’t forget to have a look at photocountry.co - our brand new photography publication, for great stories on photography. Meet you in the next episode.  Till then stay safe and keep clicking. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Photo Country Episode 35: Exploration of Photography with Sanjeev HirudayarajIn this episode of 'Photo Country,' host Rajeev discusses the photographic journey with photographer Sanjeev Hirudayaraj. Originally from Madurai, Sanjeev is currently in New York state but works and resides mainly in London. He expresses his fondness for capturing events, festivals, wildlife, and people from around the world, using photography as therapy. Sanjeev talks about his journey from impulsively buying a camera to creating remarkable portraits. The episode also delves into the ethics of street photography, Sanjeev's inspirations, and his future photographic aspirations.00:00 Introduction to Photo Country00:40 Meet the Guest: Sanjeev Hirudyaraj01:11 Conversation with Sanjeev Begins02:01 Sanjeev's Journey into Photography04:13 Photography as Therapy04:48 The Art of Photography07:12 Photography as a Profession vs Hobby15:25 The Influence of Gear in Photography21:48 Sanjeev's Travel and Photography Experiences25:09 The Ethics and Challenges of Street Photography28:56 Sanjeev's Inspirations and Future Plans32:04 Reflections and Regrets33:03 Wrapping Up the Conversation33:30 Closing Remarks and Preview of Next EpisodeCheck out Sanjeev's work on his Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sanjeev_hirudayaraj/ Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. It's great to be back with the new season for a brand new year 2023. Welcome to photo country. And I'm your host Rajeev. I brought in the new year at an iconic, and historic location in Tamil, Nadu. My home state in India. It was at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the temple built by King Rajendra Chola, The First, to commemorate his conquest of the river Ganges. It is here that I caught the last sunset of the year. You can read all about in on the Photo Essay that I did on this temple.While I was in my hometown of Madurai, I met a young photo blogger. Rexstane Nissi. He runs a photo blog called Discover Madurai. And through him, I was lucky to see a different side to my hometown, which I have not seen before.He has been featured on the BBC website and the national newspaper of India, the Hindu. What better way to start off the new season with a chat with a homeboy from Madurai, Rexstane Nissi. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Episode Number 34. Let's get into the conversation.Discover Madurai: https://www.instagram.com/discovermadurai/Nissi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nissirex/Full unabridged interview on Youtube coming soon! Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to episode 33 of photo country with Rajeev. This is usually the podcast, where I chat with photographers from around the world. And then occasionally I do talk to artists who straddle different mediums. One such artist is Manuela Mendonca Gomes. She is an artist from Goa India. I met her when I was working there. Her work is full of nature. It's very reflective of Goa where she lives. It's culture and its architecture. So I sat down to talk to her about her art. And her journey from being a tennis player to a successful commercial artist.  Thanks Manuela for coming on the Photo Country podcast.My favorite memories of Goa, is during the monsoons. I really love Goa when it's raining and when it's really green. My wife and I used to to jump on a scooter and ride through the quaint Goan villages. Manuela has beautifully captured this beauty of Goa in her paintings - from the houses, the lush green foliage to the distinct colour palette of Goa. I could go on and on about her work. But it is best you have a browse through her instagram feed. Her work is available on sale and Manuela is open for commissions as well.Her instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manuelarrrtista/Thank you, Manuela, for coming on the show. It was inspiring to learn about your work ethic, in your artwork. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Thank you so much for tuning in. Do sign up for my newsletter on substack.com and be informed every time I release an episode. Till the next episode, stay safe and keep clicking. Thank you for reading Photo Country with Rajeev. This post is public so feel free to share it.Photocountry.substack.com Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

You're looking at something within, within a box, and what you see is what you get, right? So if you want to be thinking differently, then look within that lens and see how you can see something different that nobody else has seen. That is the only thing. Otherwise, there's nothing else. It's all about kindness. It's all about love for the world which gives you happiness.-Ravi SoloHello, beautiful people. Welcome to episode 32 of photo country. This is the show by a photographer for photographers. And I'm your, host Rajeev. I have been talking to artists, image makers and creators around the world. And it is really fascinating to me how each individual approaches the art in their own unique way.Our guest today is no different. He's a writer, poet, ad man and an iPhone photographer from Chennai India. He is none other than Ravindran Solomon. Ravi solo to all his friends. He is a visual poet, weaving words with pixels.My association with Ravi go back to when both of us were students. I was in the final years of high school, while he was a graduate student of English Literature at The American College, Madurai. Incidentally, he was my father’s (Prof. R. Nedumaran) student as well. In some ways, he has been my mentor as well. He gave my first break into the creative world, when I interned at Mudra Communications, an ad agency where he was a copy writer. I have been following his journey as a creative person and I am a big fan of the verses he writes along with his photographs. I have attempted my own sometimes, inspired by his feed!Thank you Ravi for coming on this podcast. I think no one has ever put it so eloquently on why photographers do what they do. Thank you for that awesome closing monologue.You can follow Ravi's words and imagery on his Instagram feed - Ravisolo. I hope you all liked this conversation, as much as I did bringing it to you. Please do share this podcast with someone, who you think will enjoy it as well. Do consider subscribing to this little podcast of mine! As always thank you for listening. Till we meet in the next episode, stay safe, be kind and keep clicking.   Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Before I start my day, I go around taking photographs and then again I have a favorite cafe there called Mirror by the river. A river. And I sit there, start editing the photographs I took in the morning by Sun Rice. Now I find using the Lightroom to edit them is very therapeutic. I'm editing, I'm also preparing my day, I'm thinking about the things that I want to do and so on. So I find taking photo photos and also editing them on Lightroom is very therapeutic and it helps me to unwind and also focus. - Karuna MuthuHello, beautiful people! You're listening to Rajeev. And this is episode 31 of photo country. If you love photography and want to discover new photographers to follow, this is the podcast you need to listen to. Do consider signing up for my sub stack channel.In this episode, I caught up with Mr. Karuna Muthu, a lawyer, investor and an ardent photography enthusiast from Wellington, New Zealand.He also happens to be related to me, but that's not the reason I am talking to him today. He is the quintessential modern travel photographer, armed with his trusted iPhone and occasionally using a Sony mirrorless. He captures the places he passes through and uses Lightroom to edit and to unwind.Thank you, kiwiyogi2, for coming on this podcast. Incidentally that is his Instagram handle. You can catch all the Zen like photos on his feed. Incidentally that is his Instagram handle. Talking about episode 32, I caught up with Ravindran Solomon, a creative director from Wunderman Thompson based out of Chennai, India. He's a visual poet, capturing slices of life on his iPhone and complementing them with a few lines of poetry. I had great fun catching up with an old friend. So make sure you're subscribed to my substack channel and not miss any of my episodes. Till then stay safe and keep clicking.If you are enjoying this podcast, please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that inspires me to keep going. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at photocountry.substack.com Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, beautiful people! Welcome back to photo country with Rajeev.  You're listening to episode number 30.  It's been a while since the last episode. My last episode was in September. I took a month’s break to catch up on a few things. I've been hard at work, refreshing my website. Now both my photography folio and my workshops all have one common home. So do visit www.photocountry.coGet on my email list and join me on one of the photo walks that I'll be doing in the coming summer months. Do consider subscribing to the podcast, if you have not done already.In this episode, we talked to Mr. Sundar Vembu, from Los Angeles, California. He's an accomplished film photographer. He's known for his images of the vast landscapes of the national parks of the U S. forgotten city of Machu, Pichu, and such wonderful natural sites of the world.He shoots in medium format and loves to capture the natural vistas of the world. Many of his photographs display forgotten towns of the American West, US national parks, and sites like Macchu Picchu and Patagonia in South America.I really love his almost infra red like to his imagery and have been wanting to get him on the podcast for a while. Finally, the stars aligned and here we are.Thank you Mr. Sundar Vembu for coming on the podcast. I learned a lot about enjoying the process of taking the photograph and to slow down before I click the shutter button.You can follow his work on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sundarvembu/Thank you, Mr. Sundar Vembu, for your time. I learned a lot about slowing down and enjoying the process of photography. I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did bringing this to you. If you think there is another awesome photographer out there that I should be talking to, then please email me at rajeev@photocountry.co.As always share, like, and subscribe to my substack channel. I hope to meet you on the next episode with another interesting conversation on photography. Till then stay safe and keep clicking.  This is Rajeev signing off. Get full access to Photo Country: Inspiring Stories of Photographers at photocountry.substack.com/subscribe