Name: Rodney Ty
Company: Rodney Ty Photography
Location: Alhambra, CA, USA
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Describe in a sentence who you are.
I am an automotive enthusiast/photographer. I believe I am a hard worker and slightly a little bit too much of a perfectionist, especially when in comes to photography. I am easy to work with and I do my best to make sure my clients are satisfied with my service.
Where were you born? Do you still live there now?
I am from Alhambra, California, which is about 15 miles away from Downtown Los Angeles and I currently reside there.
Did you go to school for photography or was it something you picked up yourself?
I did not study writing, photography, or videography. I got my B/A in History with the intention that I will eventually become a teacher.
How did you get into it?
My passion for photography started as a Car Enthusiast wanting to photograph my own "ride." I am not artistic at all but photography is one of the things I was able to pick up quickly. As time progressed, I found myself wanting to photograph other things other than cars. Although shooting automobiles sparked my love for this art, I find that I enjoy every aspect of it. My goal as a photographer is to capture a story behind the lens, whether I am shooting a car, a person, or a place. It is a growing passion of mine, and I do not see myself stopping anytime soon.
How long have you been a photographer for?
About 3 years.
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What's your style?
As a photographer I try to capture the image as best I can to portray the actual essence of the scene. I understand both natural light and artificial light (strobes, light painting) really well. I use this to my advantage and I am able to create a certain feel to my photo by controlling the light.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I use a Nikon D800, Sony RX-1, Various Zeiss lenses, and most high end Nikon Lenses. As for software I usually use Lightroom and Photoshop. Although equipment does not define whether you are a great photographer, I try to use high quality equipment as a tool to get the best images I can.
Do you have any favourite locations for shooting?
I love to shoot right in the heart of Downtown. What is a more beautiful backdrop than City Lights?
Are you a Mac or PC user?
I use both, but for most editing needs I use Mac.
What has been your most memorable assignment or vehicle/model to work with? Why?
I think the most memorable assignment was when I shot Melyssa Grace for Phantom Garage for SEMA. It was memorable not for the fact that I was shooting a beautiful model, but the fact I really was in a time crunch in order to create beautiful photos before sundown. It was a last minute photo shoot, and I actually did not know who I was photographing and we started later than anticipated. I had about 20 minutes before the Sun was totally down, and I only brought one strobe. I actually was able to create one of my favorite sets ever. With this moment, I was able to reassure myself that I knew what I was doing as a photographer. As a result of that shoot, I actually enjoy "high stress" photography more than I thought hence the fact I also do weddings now.
What would you say to other enthusiast photographers out there who aspire to become a great writer/photographer/videographer?
It's all about practice. The more you shoot the better you will get. Experiment with different techniques and eventually you will create your own. Never stop what you love doing no matter how much work it is to get there.
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