ABOUT ME * ABOUT ME * ABOUT ME *

Behind Putoempleo, My Name Is Carlos Rodriguez

I was born in Charallave, Venezuela, on August 27, 1999. I picked up a camera at 16 out of pure curiosity, and by 17 I was already directing my first project in Caracas. At 18, I moved to Barcelona to study film — a decision that would define everything that came after. Shortly after arriving, I began assisting on film sets in various roles. Long days on set, watching light transform spaces and faces, is where I truly fell in love with cinematography. Since then, shaping light has become more than technique — it’s an obsession. I’m constantly searching for texture, contrast, and atmosphere that elevate the emotional weight of each story. Over the years, I’ve worked across advertising, television, fiction, and music videos, collaborating with international production companies and artists such as Mora, Danny Ocean, Eladio Carrión, Jerry Di, Aron Piper, Big Soto, and many more. I’ve also partnered with brands including Nike, Adidas, and Oysho, always with a strong focus on visual identity and high-end image quality. Whether shooting digitally or on 16mm or 35mm film, my approach remains consistent: to craft images that feel intentional, cinematic, and emotionally grounded. I have experience in over 100 audiovisual projects, working with 16mm film and digital formats. I have a deep passion for light and how to shape and texture it. I am known as "putoempleo" as my artistic name. The reason behind this nickname is not that I hate my job; it was a beautiful coincidence between a difficult moment and a great project. It started as a joke but ended up resonating with me because this industry can be both beautiful and sometimes a 'putoempleo'. More than just a job for me, it is a way of living life. I have always said that in the future, I would be happy living 'with my feet on the ground and the camera on my shoulder,' which is the phrase that truly represents me."