Rod Klein

Photographer

How many years as a photographer?
I started Art Center College of Design in 1971 as a photo student. I finished my MFA at UCLA in 1974 in the art department where I studied Photography & Video. So I've been working making images of one kind or another for 30+ years.

Hometown?
Venice Beach, California.

How did you get started?
I Took a 35 mm camera to Europe when I was 22 and decided I wanted to be a photographer. After 20+ years working in the TV industry as an editor, graphics effects designer and director, I took a scuba class for fun and my life changed forever. I never shot film underwater, only video. Once digital cameras and underwater housings became the norm I converted from video back to my first love, photography.

What's your day job?
Underwater Photograper and Travel Writer.

How does PhotoSpin benefit you?
So far so good. I'm new to PhotoSpin but I like the working relationship with the owner, Val. I like the idea of sending in images, he picks the ones he likes, and sends me a check. Can't beat that!

Where can we see more of your work? (Website etc...)
www.rhkuw.com

Quick tip you'd like to share?
Embrace Photoshop as part of your digital workflow...always shoot raw files.

Anything you'd like to promote ?
Nope...just visit my website as it has all the info about my work www.rhkuw.com and writing, workshops, and assignments.


Most interesting project to date?
An assignment to photograph dwarf minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The magazine, Diving Adventure Magazine, printed the entire article and all the images, over 3000 words. You can download the pdf and read it yourself at this link www.rhkuw.com/pdf/daminke.pdf BTW, all my articles are online in the Publications section of my website.

How do you approach problems?
My main clientle are magazines where I often have specific assignments to photograph and / or write about specific exotic locations. I will do research first, but often these assignments are to places I have been before and I already have a good idea of what I need to do. When on a photo assignment I shoot like crazy, cover every aspect of the area even though most magazines will only print a few images.