3-D Contrast DVD wins HOT ONE Award

I just received news that Professional Photographer Magazine gave a HOT ONE Award to our 3-Dimensional Contrast -Principles of Photographic Lighting DVD for one of the best educational products of the year. This program is based on Dean Collin's theory of 3-D contrast and covers a detailed overview of lighting for both stills and moving pictures. I worked with Dean for many years as both his studio manager and assistant. The information is presented by myself and director/cameraman, Bill Holshevnikoff. If you are looking to learn more about lighting for your photography, I think you will be pleased with this one.

We have a limited number for sale direct from our studio, please email Luis@mantoani.com if interested. Price is $45 plus tax and shipping. Also available at www.software-cinema.com.

You can learn more about Bill Holshevnikoff and his video lighting education at www.poweroflighting.com.

Brigitte DeMeyer

Music lovers keep an ear out for the latest album from Brigitte DeMeyer. Red River Flower will be on sale starting tomorrow. I first met Brigitte on an editorial shoot in Half Moon Bay, California and teamed up with her again for the images on her new website www.brigittedemeyer.com. Take a peek and listen!

Forward Magazine

While shooting an assignment for Dodge, the art director found out about my 1956 Chrysler, Windsor, Town and Country Wagon and asked if they could feature me in Forward Magazine.

So here is the spread, shot in Ocean Beach. If you are thinking about shooting in San Diego while most of the US is under snow, give me a buzz and I will provide door to door service with a smile!

Linsey Corbin - underwater photography without getting wet!

I had the fortunate opportunity to shoot the latest issue of Triathlete Magazine, featuring Linsey Corbin. Linsey was the top U.S. female finisher in Kona last year and was a pleasure to photograph. The image was to appear on the cover of their wetsuit profile issue, and they requested a shot that involved water. I pitched the idea of an underwater portrait. Unfortunately the heater for the pool went out the day prior to the shoot. Linsey was freezing, but a true champ. I asked her a few times if she needed to take a break, "I'm a f***ing Ironman" she replied with a smile. Perhaps all models should do Kona once for perspective of what discomfort really is! The issue should be hitting news stands any day. To learn more about Linsey check out her website, www.linseycorbin.com.

We did the shoot at a sporting goods store that has a pool with had five large windows. Three of the windows are located in the store where patrons can watch scuba classes in action, the other two windows face the parking lot. To the right of camera, we put two large Chimera softboxes in the parking lot windows so they filled the entire windows. One Profoto Acute head and a 1200 pack powered each light. I was shooting from the windows in the store and blocked out the ambient store lights and reflections by placing a black curtain behind camera and getting the lens as close to the glass a possible. We shot with a 28-70mm zoom lens so I had some flexibility in composition as Linsey moved around. Strobes were triggered with Pocket Wizard radio slaves. The final image required a bit of clean up to retouch out a ladder from the background. No air tanks or camera housing required!