EDITION 1
Standing on a thin section of concrete separating screaming fans from the main stage, press pass dangling around her neck, Palo Alto High School junior Cathy Rong vigorously clicks away with her Nikon d5100 in hot pursuit of the perfect shot.
If you had asked Rong where she would be on September 7, 2012 a year ago, she would not have had the faintest idea. Taking photos in the media pit at a Linkin Park with Incubus concert would have been the farthest thing from her mind because at that time photography was nothing more than a hobby to her.
Rong’s passion for photography was initially sparked when she received her first camera in middle school as a gift from her parents. She continued to dabble in photography throughout 7th and 8th grade, but it was not until she took her first photography class as a freshman at Paly that she realized her passion. She has worked with Paly photography teacher Margo Wixom, to highlight her strengths and discover her preferred subjects to photograph.
Since then, Rong has continued to improve her skills through several photo shoots with hand-selected models, even branching out into shooting concerts by applying for press passes. With these press passes, Rong has had the opportunity to shoot at various concerts including the Vans Warped Tour and the Identity Festival.
Aside from concert photography, Rong’s other favorite type of shoot is portraiture. She has done several shoots with a variety of models thus far, including Paly juniors Vivian Laurence, Megan Rohrer, Omri Newman and senior Shina Kim-Avalos.
However, Rong is extremely meticulous in choosing her models.
“[My models need] to have a unique look and kind of know how to work their body, [they] need to be aware of the light,” Rong said.
Rong’s favorite locations to shoot at are Gamble Gardens and the ball court at Rinconada Park. Rong also enjoys photographing places, things, lifestyle and fashion, as well as experimenting with old-fashioned film.
“I really like photographing portraiture and concerts because its action but it’s also capturing that one moment which is really defining,” Rong said.
Rong started a blog, entitled cathyrongphoto in 2011 as a way of displaying her original photos and keeping them all in one place.
“I decided to start a blog because my friends kept on asking to see my photos and I wanted a place to share my work,” Rong said.
Aside from having her own personal blog, Rong also shares a collaborative blog with junior Vivian Laurence called Ca-Vi, the first syllables of each of their names.
“[The blog is] this idea that I found from another blog” Rong said. “It [featured] one model and one photographer working on themed photo shoots.”
Furthermore, Rong actively pursues a future in photography, through her online internship with the Journalism Education Association (JEA).
“The JEA is basically a program that one of the leaders started to get teenagers involved with music and photojournalism at a young age,” Rong said.
Rong pulls ideas for shoots, techniques, lighting and color for her own photography from a variety of inspirational sources. Among her favorite photographers are Shannon Lee Miller, Mike Lerner and Ann He. Shannon Lee Miller built up her career as a professional photographer through breathtaking documentations of wedding ceremonies, and models ranging from ages 16-19 in countles different settings.
“Miller does all these really cool model editorial portraits like weddings,” Rong said.
Mike Lerner has only been recognized as a professional photographer for two years, but has worked his way up to become Justin Bieber’s current tour photographer. As Bieber’s photographer, Lerner has the opportunity to experience and capture firsthand Bieber’s tour life through his lens. Lerner’s concert photography skills have helped guide and inspire Rong.
Ann He is a 17 year old Houston-based photographer with an advanced skill set and wide breadth of recogniction.
“She’s done a lot of her own high fashion editorial work,” Rong said. “She’s done stuff for America’s Next Top Model and Teen Vogue.”
Pulling specific ideas, techniques, and styles from Miller, Lerner and He, Rong has brainstormed numerous shoots which she wants to do sometime in the near future.
“I [want] to go to Foothill [Park], I like the whole concept of fall and the maxi dresses by the lake,” Rong said.
Other future shoots include going to parking garages, pools and experimenting with more wedding photography.
Aside from photography, Rong is also passionate about journalism, as she is a writer for The Voice, Palo Alto High Shool’s online publication. Juggling academics, photography, internships and a social life is a lot for Rong, but she handles it well.
Although Rong has only been taking photos for a short amount of time, photography is a huge part of her life and she finds it important to learn different techniques to improve her own work.
Rong is always learning from her surroundings, and past experiences so that she can continue to grow as a photographer. Rong’s passion for photography separates her from the rest of the crowd at Palo Alto High School.
Behind the Lens: Cathy Rong
By Nikki Freyermuth and Pauline Na
