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

How do we turn an ordinary backyard photo into a “WOW!” image?

Exposed so that highlight isn't lost. -1EV from the in-camera reading on Chit-Chit's dark fur. I've manually measured the white balance using a grey card. Processed in CaptureONE PRO 5.1.

I used BW Panchromatic as a start and additionally tweaked the whites and darks in the image all using CaptureOne PRO 5.1.

Since I am going through a “monochromatic” phase, when I set Chit-Chit up, I was imagining the final outcome of the image. Playing with dodging and burning, I’ve created drama, depth, and character to the plain ordinary backyard-lit photograph!

Try pre-visualizing the final photograph before pressing that shutter!

Personal Project has been helping me improve direction at eliciting erotic undertones. My mainstream work with agencies on my website, www.ronaldntan.com, is considered tame compared to the images from Personal Project.

I know Personal Project is in its infancy, but I am hoping it would evolve into a photographic anthology recording my progress and comfort levels.

I found Danny on ModelMayhem.com and he agreed to contribute to Personal Project. Teaser pics to follow.

I finally decided to affix and preface my “Personal Project” with an artist statement. Perhaps some of you are thinking, “What’s the big deal with nudity?” If you know me and how I was brought up, perhaps you’ll understand me.

I was born into an academic-centric and conservative family and our Burmese culture has restrictions and taboos on sexuality. As a gay man whom came out Jan 30, 2006, I find East-Indian men beautiful and enamored by their culture, entertainment, and cuisines. I love everything Indian–I considered myself at times “a Desi-at-heart.” Friends and family whom are aware of my fascination joked that if I visit India, I’d never want to leave. The Indian government would have to forcefully evict me from their grounds. I truly feel passionate towards East-Indian men and their greater culture.

The purpose of Personal Project (for now) is taking East-Indian male models whom are socially repressed because of their culture and mutually and regally explore sexuality by modeling for edgy photography that borderlines with our comfort levels. I’ve drawn a clear and unmistakable borderline to never cross and together we’ll help each other build confidence and trust while exploring the genre together.

Between trying to modestly survive in pursuit of my dreams, Personal Project is in its infancy and I hope it would ameliorate itself and grow into fruition. Between editorial shoots and trying to learn the business behind photography, I have faith and hopes in myself and abilities to study Personal Project regally with class. I am honored and felt privileged to receive the help from Freddy, Asher, Hasan, and Sukh.

If you have questions and comments, please feel free to send me an email directly.

Cheers and best in health!

I updated my website with with “Personal Project” menu. I uploaded a “My Kryptonite” gallery consisting of my now muse #2 Sukh. I uploaded nude photographs of Sukh from Personal Project. I think I am infatuated with Sukh. He’s adorable and handsome.

Sukh is pronounced “Sook.”

I am continuing my regal and classy studies of male nudes and my friend Sukh whom I met in July 2008 stopped by today and helped me. I feel that when shooting nudes–TRUST must be established and earned.

I’ve been pushing myself towards the borderline for art’s sake and these images were produced in good taste and class.

Prototype images.

If you’re an ethnic male model with multi-ethnicities and would like to further assist me with the Personal Project, please follow the instructions on my website: http://www.ronaldntan.com/

When Sukh arrived, I had chai ready. Before he left, I made him a Burmese Papaya shake–his first time and he enjoyed it.

Here you go! A few of my friends have asked me to make a recipe for my Burmese Lamb Curry. I’ve been sharing snap shots of foods I know how to make on Facebook.

I enjoy cooking because I think it is the only way I’ll able to catch a guy through his stomach. I don’t have defined chest muscles or six-pack abs to entice my suitors. So…cooking has to be it!!! I am hoping it would work. I’ll be turning 29 in February and still have yet to do serious dating! I know. I know. If I don’t jump into the dating pool now, it would be very difficult just because statistics say so! It is just that my career in photography gets highest priority and I don’t want any distractions or “impedance” in my life.

Anyway, I figure when I am really ready, he’ll pop into my life. We’ll see.

Enjoy making this Lamb curry. It is one of my favorite dishes my parents taught me to cook. I am going to improve my cooking so that when I do find someone, I want to cook for him and take care of him (his stomach) really really well!

Burmese Lamb Curry

Here is the actual link: http://blog.ronaldntan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Burmese-Lamb-Curry.pdf

Year two-thousand and nine was an interesting year for me and difficult. I survived and I know a lot of my photographer and creative peers remained persistent and pressed onto their goals. If you somehow decided that this year you want to try something new because it isn’t late, I say, “Go for it!”

It is 2:31 AM PST and as lethargic as I am from mass consumption of food, I was compelled to enter these thoughts onto my blog. I can not believe I finished an entire bottle of apple cider! All those sugars I’d have to burn later today when I take Zaw and Chit on their jog/walks. I then topped my glutinous behavior with a mango pudding.

I’ll either update or create a new entry later today when I am more cognizant.

Adieu 2009. Bonjour 2010. Salut.

2010 is already starting to be shining for me. If everything goes well, my cover that I shot a few months back during the summer in Palm Springs will finally come out in Jan 2010 in Australia and abroad. I won’t disclose who the cover model is. If you read my blog enough or have followed me, you’ll know!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Our Chinese New Year 2010 lands on the 14th February. Before 2010 comes, I also plan to post in entry reflecting on the things I’ve completed in 2009.

Last but not least, I truly want to wish everyone that stumbled upon my blog, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” Regardless of what you believe in, please keep in mind the real reason why the vast majority of the population of humankind celebrate Christmas. For my family, Christmas time is a time to enjoy the end of a year and waiting anxiously to welcome the new year.

We have our own tradition–we do not get trees or give each other presents. Instead on the Eve of Christmas, we prepare a huge Chinese Egg Roll feast! I’ll share these photographs on the 24th and the 25th.

Wishing you and your family warmest wishes and best in health.

Love and light,

Ron

I learnt about this fun little quiz on Facebook that my Sifu Brooks took and I took one myself. “What Classic Photographic Film Are You?”

Ronald took the What Classic Photographic Film Are You? quiz and the result is Fujichrome Velvia 50 8×10

Rich, vibrant, positive, expensive, extremely fine-grained and rare. You love the finer things in life – and settle for nothing but the best. Quality before quantity, you have discriminating taste and a rare appreciation for fine craftsmanship. You KNOW photography, and consider yourself to be an ARTISTE. Whether or not you rake in six figures – your den probably smells of rich mahogany and fine Corinthian Leather. Regardless of your high-falutin’ airs, we love you for your refined eye and good taste – you are second to none.