World Premiere Interview: Ronald N. Tan Photographer

Interview by Christopher Uvenio

"My shooting style could be described as "metallic painterly mish-mash photo illustrations..."
"I am passionate and truly enjoy capturing the elusive beauty of the male form..."
"All of my shoots are outdoors in both natural available light and utilizing my strobes in conjunction to the sun..."

-Hello Ronald, I am really flattered you accepted to be interviewed for my blog!!, just to start this interview off, please give me some brief background information.Hello there Christopher. Thank you for the your interest in me and my photography! I was born in 1981 Rangoon, Burma now known as "Yangon, Myanmar." My family traditionally held professions in Medicine (Physicians). My highest level of education was a baccalaureate in Applied Physics & Pre-pharmacy (Microbiology). I now call Sacramento and Vacaville my home.

-Tell me: how did you start doing photography? What got you interested in it?May 19, 2007 marked the commencement of my professional career in photography. It was also the date I arrived in Los Angeles chasing my dreams of being a photographer. When I was at Uni, my elective courses in Optics scintillated the artist within me. I consider myself "an exiledacademic seeking refuge in the arts."

-Did you take any courses or did you go to a school to learn photography?I am known as an auto-didactic photographer. My comprehension of the behavior of light and the mechanics of the camera lent itself flawlessly upon my endeavors in photography. I did not know I have "it" within me all this time. Throughout my life, I was conditioned toward the path of academic par excellence.

-What are the common elements of your photography style? How would you describe your shooting style?My shooting style could be described as "metallic painterly mish-mash photo illustrations." I love neutral tones.

-What are your favorite subjects to photograph?I am passionate and truly enjoy capturing the elusive beauty of the male form.

-How do you compare shooting in the studio to on location – any preference?On-location. All of my shoots are outdoors in both natural available light and utilizing my strobes in conjunction to the sun.

-How do you feel about digitally enhancing photos and to what extent do you utilize it?I have no problems retouching. It depends. At times, I only do tonal adjustments at the RAW stage when I shoot tethered. Other times, I'd take an additional step into Photoshop and give my visual aesthetics to it.

-You are a very successful photographer, do you have any advice to photographers starting out in the fashion industry?I don't consider myself "successful" yet. I am still facing the challenges and struggles of an up-and-coming business. The advice I would give is this, "Treat your clients as if they're your life blood. Take good care of them. Always give your best beyond the client's expectation. Know your value and worth! Just because a client wave money in front of you, it does not mean you have to jump through hoops. Treat EVERYONE with respect, integrity, and dignity. ALWAYS *show* appreciation and gratitude towards the professionals irrespective of their contribution to the project or an assignment. Karma knows kindness."

-Tell me about your professional plans: apart from still photography, what else would you like to pursue or are you already pursuing?Pet portraiture. I love pets (dogs). I've got two of my own.

-Thanks again Ron for taking your time to answer my questions, it was a gift to me and my readers!
Thank you Edo. I hope I have earn it confidence and respect from your readers with my accolades and accomplishments I've achieved in under two years as a self-taught photographer. I took a huge risk with my life. I left my comfort zone of academia to chase after my dreams. I CAN NOT FAIL! FULL STOP.