PHOTOGRAPHY 101
A person who has been around in this industry can recognize raw talent. Especially when it comes to the photographer that is shooting an event. The pictures either have it or do not! That special glimpse of time, that combines that person's personality and physique that makes that picture.
This industry is going to see a lot of Mr. Tim Rollans in the future. He has what it takes to make it and make it big. We decided to ask him a some questions for the general public to get to know him.
WHAT A SHOW!
M.T.I.: How did you get started in Physique Photography?
T.R.: I was actually shooting fashion at the time and never even knew fitness photography even existed. I was doing a portfolio shoot with a guy named Aric Sudicky and he wanted to shoot fitness. It was during the shoot that I found out he had an 8 pack. A few weeks later he entered a fitness competition and I asked,”if I could come take some pictures of him”? Which I did numerous times. Did you know there are girls in bikini's there? From there Aric and myself got published, did some features for some magazines and then I got in touch with Jeffery Kippel at FAME and things have just taken off from there. It has been a fantastic journey and things are still evolving and as exciting as ever.
M.T.I.: How long have you been married? Is your wife into photography also?
T.R.: Too long! Lol for the most part I keep my personal life out of my professional life, but it's been 18 years now. My wife helps on occasion and attends quite a few of the shoots I am on.
M.T.I.: What brand do you use for your equipment?
T.R.: All of my equipment is top end. For my camera and lenses I am partial to Nikon. Studio strobes I like Profoto. A lot of times I am shooting on location in cities other than where I reside, so it is very important that any equipment that I use is able to withstand some extreme conditions and environment. There can be no excuses for not getting the shoot when it is needed.
M.T.I.: Compare film to digitial?
T.R.: Digital is a lot more convenient, but the trade off is a lot more work and pretty tight dynamic ranges! In many ways, I would say that film is much more forgiving than digital photography. My personal belief is that we are seeing the end of the grace period coming quickly where we accept lesser quality images. One thing I always remember is from one of my mentors, McClain Swift. He told me,”there is no reason for a shoot to be blown out.” It is not always easy to achieve!
M.T.I.: What is schedule for this year?
T.R.: Hectic as par usual! The FAME West show in Vancouver at the end of March really signals the start of the season to me. From there it is pretty much going full out until the end of FAME Worlds in November in Las Vegas. Any breaks that come are pretty much taken by getting extra shots and catching up on projects that we have to leave on the table. It is never ending thankfully! I try to do as many shows as possible, though this year we are trying to bring on more photographers to help ease the load.
M.T.I.: How do you catch that special shot?
T.R.: I pray! Lol, I try to get in early and get a feel for the environment and scene and then as soon as the show starts I start working the shots looking for the right angles and exposures and of course, I take as many shoots as possible to make sure that I hopefully capture the main one. So, during shows, I am shooting in bursts. When I work one on one with a model, I really work with that model. Most are shocked when I tell them I am a photographer, I shoot the shots and they are the model, they work the poises. Then instead of directing the models, I collaborate with the models so they can capture the feeling I am after. When ever possible I schedule as much time as possible with that model. I can do a shoot quickly if need be. Then when ever the time allows it , I use it to work with the model. Working together creates special images.
M.T.I.: Give us some advice for someone who wants to start out in the industry?
T.R.: I think the first thing that someone has to do is, “start”. The second thing they have to do is, “always be working on improvement”. I consider myself one of the top fitness photographers in the industry and to this day I still take in as much as I possibly am able and always working on improving my images. I believe too many people let things go to their heads to quickly and it stifles their own evolution. As I mentioned previously, we are looking for photographers but finding one who is continually working on their own improvement is difficult. Photographers tend to have very large egos. Of course, we need to because everyone likes to critique what we do.
Watch the FAME World Tour: The pictures that Mr. Rollins takes blows people's minds. He does capture the moment and at this we will prodict that Tim will be around for a very long time.
Doug Going
M.T.I.
