What happens when a lifelong passion for photography transforms into a full-time profession through unexpected turns? In Episode 63 of the Photo Country Podcast, host Rajeev steps into new territory—recording his very first in-person, face-to-face studio podcast at Auckland's Photo Prints workshop with founder Gary Ashton.
Gary, who previously appeared on the podcast four years ago, shares his journey of transitioning from a 28-year career in shoe repair to managing a high-end fine art printing studio, along with technical advice on color calibration, paper stocks, and bird photography.
The Pivotal Shift: From Soles to Fine Art Prints
For nearly three decades, Gary Ashton operated a shoe repair shop in Ponsonby, Auckland. Photography was purely a passion project—a hobby enjoyed in his spare time. The idea of professional printing first sparkled when visiting family in Australia, where he learned the art of printing and matting photographs firsthand.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life and remote work drastically reduced demand for shoe repairs, Gary made a decisive pivot. Having already acquired wide-format printing equipment as a secondary business, he stepped into photo printing full-time, establishing Photo Prints.
“If you don't get a nice print and it looks wrong, then it puts you off doing it again. Using higher-end printers gets you a better result and makes you want to do it more often.” — Gary Ashton
The Craft of Accurate Printing & Color Calibration
A central topic of discussion was the challenge of converting vibrant digital monitor displays into high-quality physical prints. Many photographers view their work on backlit screens (such as MacBooks or standard monitors), which often make images appear overly bright and hyper-saturated.
To achieve true print fidelity, Gary emphasizes precise color calibration:
Colour Profiling & RIP Software: Photo Prints utilizes Epson wide-format photographic printers integrated with Raster Image Processor (RIP) software. Papers are custom-profiled specifically to the printer and ink system.
Monitor Profiling: Gary recommends hardware calibration tools (such as Spyder devices) used monthly to ensure that what photographers edit on screen mirrors real-world color output. For production work, high-end calibrated displays like Eizo monitors offer maximum precision.
Fidelity to File: As a rule, Gary prints files directly as provided, highlighting the importance of proper editing workflows on calibrated systems at home.
Print Media & Techniques
Luster vs. Matte: Semi-gloss/luster paper offers versatile durability, while fine art matte papers excel for rich black-and-white imagery.
Cotton Rag Papers: High-end cotton rag options (such as Hahnemühle and Ilford) provide exceptional depth and archival quality for fine art photos.
Dye-Sublimation on Metal: Gary is actively experimenting with printing onto aluminium sheets coated with polyester using high heat and pressure, producing vibrant, high-gloss display panels suitable for landscapes and sunrises.
Bird Photography & “Does Gear Matter?”
Beyond operating his workshop, Gary is an active photographer who enjoys landscapes, astrophotography (Milky Way), and particularly bird photography. When asked about his approach, Gary notes his preference for close-up detail shots over wide environmental framing.
On the question of whether gear matters:
While fundamental photography concepts and composition come first, modern camera technology—specifically advanced autofocus tracking systems found in newer mirrorless models—dramatically increases the “keeper rate” when capturing fast-moving birds. However, understanding your equipment’s full potential remains essential.
The Value of the Printed Image
In an era dominated by smartphone displays and social media, both Rajeev and Gary reflect on the intrinsic value of physical prints. A print represents the tangible completion of the photographic process.
While buying prints for home decor is widespread in places like Europe, local markets often undervalue the cost and effort behind a fine art print. A single frame isn’t just paper and ink—it carries the photographer’s time, thousands of dollars in gear, hours of field work, and delicate editing effort.
Bucket List Destinations
Wrapping up the conversation, Gary shared his top photography bucket list destinations: capturing the Northern Lights in Iceland and embarking on a dedicated week-long landscape photography trip across New Zealand’s South Island.
If you need to get a fine art print of your artwork, you know whom to call now! Checkout his site www.photoprints.co.nz for more information.
As always, thanks for sticking around for Photo Country. Truly appreciate every one of you who loves photography like I do. Do share this episode with a fellow photography enthusiast. Till the next one, stay safe and keep clicking.
