los angeles men's fashion and beauty photographer ronald n. tan

On Thursday, my buddy Nate stopped by for the cover reshoot. He got hungry so I had to whipped up some food. I served him my 2 glasses yogurt lassi, 6 eggs scrambled w/ 4 yolks, 4 turkey sausages, and 4 slices of honey whole wheat bread! I am a nice host. I like serving people. =)

I also took this portrait of my muse.

I read a “condensed” version of “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” The lesson of the book is that the people you meet in life has a reason. As I approach my 2nd year in LA and my 2nd year on this new found art journey, I am reminded of all the models and my creative colleagues I’ve ever interacted since 2007. I have been thinking about each one of you lately the photographs we produced and how proud I was.

I’ve been enjoying an interesting journey this year in 2009. I entered year 2009 with hope and optimism. It is a year of changes and challenges for me. One of the areas I want to further explore is the male nudes–all in the class and elegance. I made a post about my first nudes experience with Armando.

I now want to introduce Gabriel, my second nude male model. I was very appreciative of Gabriel’s help. The photograph is cropped for blog purposes, but the actual photo to be uploaded to my website soon will not be cropped.

Gabriel was from Brazil and he LOVES cars! His car was in the shop and so he had to borrow his girlfriend’s and stopped by at my place. At first Gabe was a little too self-critical and shy. But as we progressed from head shots and to the actual nudes, he came more and more trusting and confident. He’s an interesting person and I was glad to have met him and explore male nudes with him.

Gabe’s MM profile: http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=75928.

I am continuing my male nudes this Wednesday. I’ve found a great model. I’ll be properly introducing him then.

Pass it around. =)

Chinesep

One week ago, I was approached by a new agency in Los Angeles called “Models International”. I have experience with working with other agencies, e.g. Wilhelmina LA, LA Models, etc. but not Models International. I checked them out. It was Ms. Tia Talbott that initiated the contact and I was pleased!

Tia sent me male models she represent and in it was Peyman Madavian! I have been wanting to photograph a Persian male model just because of my personal and amicable admiration towards their culture, food, music, and their beautiful assortment of Persian men! I wrote to Tia and told her that I’d be willing to test with Peyman gratis.

Peyman arrived early on the 24th. I came back from the gym, showered, and came out and there was a call. Peyman was outside! I had to rush and get ready. I went outside and greeted Peyman and invited him in. I served Chai while we get to know one another.

Peyman brought me a sample of Persian tea. He told me it wasn’t available for purchase here and had to be specially imported or perhaps purchase through specialty tea boutiques that does direct import of tea from Iran. The black tea sample had a hint of Bergamot and Jasmine. It was delightful!

I found this texture interesting. Do you see a “skull” or “skeleton” figure?

I want to preface this note with an introduction exhibiting reverence to the photographers I respect and admire: Misters Brooks Ayola, Jerry Avenaim, Richard Reinsdorf, Francois Rosseau, Bell Soto, Mark Segal, and Karl Simone.

Here are the opening pages 1-2: http://ronaldntan.com/images/Scan-081113-0002.jpg

I recently had my good friend translate an article on me which appeared in a Spanish magazine called “Vanity” in Spain. I’ve got these foreign articles on me that are left to be translated. I’d like additionally post-mention and acknowledge Mr. Brooks Ayola. I sought his wisdom and insights on my first experience at rear nudes. He advised me not to be mindful and allow my photographic eye to take control.

These images were my tribute to BW photography and the photographers whom I admire and respect.

“The Perfect Imperfection – Ronald N. Tan”

By Julio Rosales, Editor-in-Chief

Vanity Magazine (Spain).

[Translated from Spanish by Hugo J. Avila]

Ronald Tan was born in Yangon, Myanmar in 1981. As any other self-respecting artist, he seeks inspiration and in this case he has found it in the main character of the photographs shown in our September issue, model Justin W. Adamson. In his photographs, he explores the male sensuality trying to get into the own skin of the models when photo-shooting.

Coming from a well-to-do and well-educated family, Tan was capable of giving up a comfortable life and his career in Applied Physics and Microbiology (Pre-pharmacy) for embarking himself on making his dream come true, being a photographer.

It was at the age of 25 when he admitted his homosexuality and was reconciled with that part of himself that he had been fighting against for so many years. He started searching for male models to work with in future projects and just then, Justin appeared.

Ronald Tan always “blames” the model to have pushed him to take risks and make his illusions reality in the world of photography, putting on it all the passion and energy he is capable of.

His knowledge on the world of image has been produced in an autodidactic manner, specializing himself in male fashion and beauty, developing works for international magazines from Spain, France, United Kingdom, and Germany.

Tan considers that photography is the best means to combine Science and Art. Each one of the models he has photographed throughout his career has had something of himself and that has helped him to learn and grow in that particular vision of reality that he nowadays have.

Among the photographers that he most admires and on which he has encountered (found) inspiration are Jerry Avenaim, Sean Armenta and Richard Reinsdorf and he started admiring masculinity through the lenses of Francois Rosseau, Bell Soto, Mark Segal and Karl Simone.

Now you are the ones who must judge his work, it is for sure that you are going to rank him among the best.

By Jacques Alos, Editor-in-Chief

VERTU Magazine (France)

[Translated from French]

The digital age has revolutionized the world of photography and its perception compromising its initial purpose of defending art and expression. While the technical prerequisites has radically modified the profile of the evolving photographer, his young and fresh nature as a tireless tracker of instants and moments remain constant while revealing an infinite passion for the geometric beauty of light. Such is the endeavor undertaken by Ronald N. Tan, who has molded his life to match his dreams, pursing both with an exquisite gentle acuteness.

Born into a bourgeois family in 1981 Burma traditionally officiating in medicine, Ronald discovered the passion for photography late in life when he was predestined to study Applied Physics. No doubt, the courses on optics and light diffusion have titillated the artist lying dormant: he soon aspired to exalt the beauty of reflections and contrasts.

There could be no room for error with the precision of a metronome, he began studying, conducting research, and improving his knowledge all the while combating any nostalgia for comfort. Nothing is easy in the beginning, but his meticulously crafted press-books soon drew attention.

His first wish rapidly came true: to specialize in men’s fashion and beauty. Ronald easily describes his fascination: “Photography is the perfect combination of art and science”, he voices almost timidly, doubtlessly underestimating his own ability to enhance what he sees. Then, with great humility, he adds: “Each of the models that I have photographed during these last three years has helped me to improve myself, to understand myself and, in particular, to discover the full extent of masculine beauty”. It is clear and praiseworthy.

Now sought out by various agencies for the covers of international magazines in Australia, Spain, France and Germany, Ronald is enjoying an astounding ascent, all the while retaining his ability to take a step back, which renders him with a smidgen fragility. He is an artist shaking up a lethargic sector–quite rare for not highlight it.

Here is another daguerreotype portrait of Armando.