Meet Dr. Singh:

I have been practicing medicine for 30 years. While I would like to devote more time to photography, the practice of medicine requires most of my time. My work usually begins at 5:30 to 6:00 am, Monday through Friday, and continues until around 6:00 in the evening. Additionally, I work four or five hours on both Saturday and Sunday. I try to take full advantage of those moments I can focus on my photography. Balance is the key – handling my medical practice, while also concentrating on my interest in photography.

My interest in photography piqued about 15 years ago when I purchased a Nikon F3 camera and started to shoot on film. Then, one of my hospital patients with a background in aerial photography described his use of a Mamiya medium format camera. I traded my 35-mm camera and some lenses for a Mamiya RB 6×7 which I used with Velvia 50 film. I also develop my own film. Becoming interested in large format photography some years ago, I purchased an Ebony SV45U2 camera. At that time, I didn’t know anything about the large format camera – even how to open it. I eventually become proficient with this model and continue to shoot 4×5 on film to this day.

I’ve published six or seven photographic books on the northeastern Ohio region, and always have my transparencies scanned by drum scanner.

I’m completely self taught. My only schooling has resulted from excerpts on YouTube and other online programs. And about Photoshop, when I initially started, I didn’t even know how to create a layer or mask. I am now pretty good with this. It’s been seven or eight years since I learned Photoshop and InDesign. My nephew, a great graphic designer in India, as well as the internet helped me become familiar with programs such as these.

Other than large format Ebony camera, I have Mamiya RZ 6×7 and Canon 5D Mark II. Most of the times I shoot with large format on 4×5 film. For studio shots and water drop photography on large format camera, I use a Phase One P45+ back and Capture One software. For my water droplet photography, I had a Stop Shop for two or three years before getting a Glimpse Catcher from Germany.

I use Elinchromes, Einstein 640, Dedo lights and a few Mole–Richardson lights – a few of these along with a few softboxes. This equipment is incorporated into the full-size studio set up in my home. I have a large Cambo camera stand as well..

I work totally alone, without any assistance at all. I have two children both doctors and my wife doesn’t have much interest in photography, but is very supportive. So, I create my photography completely by myself..

I doubt it. Currently, I have a very busy medical practice. However, when I retire, photography presents an interesting option. While I may also publish additional photo books, making money is really not a consideration. I just desire to continue the challenge of creating works on art and learning more and more..

I keep a very close eye on other professionals, asking myself, “how do they do that?” For example, I was once watching a video on studio lights. Alex was discussing this specific form of light with which you can focus and create shapes (basically, making projections like on a window). I experimented with Dedo lights, taking some shots. As I mentioned previously, most of my learning is through reading and online presentations.

My second passion is music. Two of my music videos have shown extensively on Indian television. For this totally different artistic interest, I have learned a variety of music recording techniques, set up a recording studio at home, and assembled all pertinent technological equipments. I love to sing.

We, of course, only have 24 hours per day, and we must not forget the importance of sleep. Thus, I sleep very good, while also eating healthy (vegan diet ) and exercising regularly. I make the very best possible use of the time I have, both learning and doing. My medical practice is run very efficiently with high patients satisfaction. Basically, it’s all about managing your time — completing tasks expediently and efficiently. Concentrate and focus. With total concentration and optimum utilization of available time, I’m able to achieve good results from my photographic endeavors..

I see myself as a student, learning all the time. That’s pretty much my philosophy. I keep reiterating that we all should focus and concentrate, coming up with new ideas and then implementing them. Experiment as well. It doesn’t matter if you always get good results. Don’t forget, photography is just a practice. Keep working and working at it. One thing I like to bring up here. When taking photographs of nature, there is not key guideline.

You will notice patterns and the repetition of patterns. Even if the scene seems cluttered or messy, search out and focus on beautiful patterns. Grab a part of the scene from a specific perspective – some pattern of movement or design within the scene. Doing this well comes with experience and the creative capabilities to work on such artistic endeavors. And, always remember. Wherever, whatever you see, view the positive aspect of it. You can easily complain about the negative, for example, its raining and a bad day. But, capture the positive here and make the photo work. See the positive aspect of everything, concentrating on it and avoid getting disturbed..