Dean Collins on Lighting

[Donald Miller]

I thought that I would bring this to the attention of those who may be interested in control of lighting as relates to tonal representation in photography.

I first encountered Dean Collins about thirty years ago through an educational series that he produced called "Fine Light". Unfortunately he died at a young age due to cancer. Recently I re-encountered the video of his presentation at Brooks Institute in 1991.

You may find the link to a preview of his methods and a source for the video at the site below:

http://www.software-cinema.com/products-on-disc/dean-collins-on-lighting-live-at-brooks-institute-of-photography/product_details/82

[lenser]

Hi, Donald.

I first encountered Dean at about the same time you did and was completely privaledged to go to two of his seminars as well as buying the finelight series of folios and VHS tapes. Although I had been shooting successfully for years before going to that first seminar, I date a moment about 30 minutes into the session, as the exact time that I truly started to get what lighting was all about. The guy was an incredible genius and never more so than when teaching. Thank God we've still got him on tapes and DVDs.

[Michael Graves]

Dean was one hell of a guy as well as an expert on lighting. Before he made it big in the world of commercial photography, he was the technical adviser for Larson Products. He was good friends with the owner of a camera store where I worked part time during college. The guy you see on the videos is exactly the way he was in person.

[Don Diego]

Now you are taking me to memory lane. I never had the privilage to attend his seminars but I have the videos and the folios on tip top shape. Thanks for the good memories.

[Photojeep]

I bought, and still have the finelight series of binders. I was lucky to also go to his seminar "Anatomy Of a Working Studio". At the end of the seminar, he finished his presentation showing an image telling "why we do what we do." It was a photo of his new daughter. I cried like a baby when I heard he passed on...

[climbabout]

That clip brings me back. Dean and I became friends in the early 80's and I miss his humor greatly. Best educator ever - period.
Tim

[r.e.]

Came across a highly detailed, two part video of his on using an 8x10 to shoot a Yamaha motorcycle in a studio so that it appeared to be outdoors and in motion. Pretty intricate setup:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc2rqKP2u6Y
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgfGTxbvKtk