Cliff Mautner Photography

2.9.08- Erin and Scott- Park Hyatt at the Bellevue- Philadelphia PA

When I first began working with Erin and Scott, we weren't sure if Scott would be able to come in to the country! Scott is from the U.K., and our wonderful government made it real difficult on Scott to get across the pond, but it all worked out in the end. This was an awesome day, with a ton of great light and a dynamic couple. I really love a few if these images and here's a few from the day. As usual, the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue did a wonderful job.

D3, 14-24 2.8- I LOVE this lens. Sharpest zoom I've ever used

D3, 28mm 1.4, ISO 3200. NO FLASH

2.8.08- Bethanne and Kevin- Crystal Tea Room Phila PA

Bethanne and Kevin were incredible fun. I want to thank them for their amazing interaction on a February afternoon. We began at the Omni Hotel and worked our way through Independence National Historic Park, and then onward around Philly. Oh, and of course, then they got hitched! Here are a few from their day.

3.26.08- Feature in Photoshop User Magazine!!!!

Uh, no, I'm not a photoshop guru, master, expert, or anything even remotely close to that. In fact, the truth is, I'm a bit photoshop challenged. However, I do know how to do some of the same basic things to my images that I did when I worked in a wet darkroom.

The kind folks at Photoshop User Magazine saw my work at Imaging USA in Tampa when I was speaking for Nikon. They took notice of the way I worked my images in photoshop and asked if I'd contribute an article on my favorite photoshop techniques. I was a bit surprised to say the least. However, I thought it'd be interesting to write something from my point of view that stressed the fact that you dont have to overuse photoshop in order to produce beautiful imagery. If you'd like to download the entire article, you'll have to subscribe to NAPP. You can click on this link here to view the Photoshop User magazine site and join. I hope you enjoy it. I was thrilled to contribute along with amazing photographers del sol photography, and David Ziser.

3.20.08- WPPI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION LAS VEGAS- BELOW ARE MY ENTRIES THAT WON "AWARD of EXCELLENCE" STATUS AT THE PRINT COMPETITION!

What a week. I'm totally spent. The best part of WPPI,(wedding and portrait photographers international), is the friendships I've made with some of the best photographers from around the globe. WPPI is also about giving back to this amazing industry. I've been fortunate enough to have been a convention speaker for the 4th consecutive year. Thanks to all those who attended my master class. I'll have the keynote presentation online within the next day or so at the latest BTW! I'll update this blogpost with a link to the file.

I also want to thank my sponsor for this convention, Nikon USA, for sponsoring my seminar. It was also an honor, once again, to present in their booth at the tradeshow. It's always a blast doing it. I've met some wonderful people and it's my honor to be a Nikon spokesperson. I'm literally blogging at the airport waiting to return to philly, but this is a quick post... out of boredom!

For those who attended my master class and are looking for the keynote presentation, please email me and I'll send you the link to download the PDF! cliff@cmphotography.com

 

Here I am presenting at the Nikon booth. it's always a blast!

I won 4 gold awards at the "awards of excellence" print competition. Here are my entries that scored 85 or above

3.13.08 -Nikon Corporation Demo shoot with D300 at the famed Gleasons Gym-Brooklyn NY!!

What an awesome day! Being a spokesperson for the Nikon Corporation really has it's perks sometimes. I had the pleasure of demonstrating the capabilities of the D300 with editors of some of the premier trade publications in the industry. My good friend Geoff Coalter from the MWW public relation group organized a terrific outing to the famous Gleason's Boxing Gym in Brooklyn NY, where we spent the afternoon playing with our D300's and shooting various subjects in the gym. I want to thank the athletes at Gleasons for being so tolerant of our presence. In attendance were Jack Howard from Popular Photography, Dan Havlik from Photo District News, Sarah Kramer from NBC/DVICE/Sci Fi Blog, Dana Wollman from Laptop and Laptop Magazine, Mike McNamara from Popular Photography, and Mike McEnaney from Picture Business. In addition, I could never forget my buddy Lindsay Silverman, the technical guru from Nikon USA. We had a blast. My job was to familiarize these folks with the gear, demonstrate how I see light, and execute some portraiture using various light sources.  Here's a few images of these awesome athletes. It was intense, to say the least.

I had handled the D300 a few times, but TBH, I didn't realize how responsive it really is until today. It's absolutely going to be a part of my toolbox from now on. It's late, I'm packing for WPPI, but I'll have more of a review of the camera after WPPI. For now, lets call the D300 "D3-light" Its a remarkable camera, and what's more remarkable is that it's only $1800.00. It handled so much better than I thought it would. While the ISO performance isn't quite what the D3's is(nothing is), it's still pretty damn amazing.  It's also got the SAME focusing mechanism as the D3! That's also remarkable. Again, I'll get specific ASAP. I hope you all enjoy some of these images from Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn.

 

1.12.08- Jen and Brian Crystal Tea Room Philadelphia PA

Winter weddings are always a challenge. Besides the obvious obstacle of extreme cold weather, the shorter days don't always allow me the opportunity to use the best light. When faced with these obstacles it's my job to find light wherever I can. I'm really happy with these images from their day. They're a great couple and were terrific to work with. Here are a few from their day.

D3- 70-200VR shot at 3200 ISO

1.5.08- June and Shawn- Union League Philadelphia PA

June and Shawn had a beautiful, crisp, cold winter day for their wedding and we wound up at the Union League on Broad St. Philadelphia. We began the day in the bridal suite at the Union League and made our way around town after their ceremony. Here's a few from the day.

Nikon Advertorial in Studio Photography and Design!

Over the past few years, I've been incredibly honored to have been chosen as a wedding photography spokesperson for the Nikon Corporation. I began my professional career 26 or so years ago and I've never used any SLR or any Lens that didn't say Nikon or Nikkor on it. My first Nikon was an FE  back in 1978. Since then, I've incorporated nearly every professional body they've made into my bag. I was asked to join the Nikon team as a spokesperson back in 2005, and I couldn't be more proud of my relationship with them.

The new Nikon D3 is absolutely the most incredible camera I've ever used. It's allowing me to make pictures I've never made before. I was the very first wedding photographer in the world to use it on a wedding, and the results were posted on this blog first. Recently, I was asked to take part in Nikon's new advertorial promoting their newest technology. This piece will appear in the next issue of Studio Photography and Design. I was honored to have been joined by world class photographers, and fellow Nikon shooters Kevin Kubota, Cherie Steinberg Cote, and my dear friend Susan Stripling. This terrific piece was put together by Cygnus Business Media, and a special thanks go out to Cygnus's Jen Gidman for a wondeful job with the text.

To Read this article, the full sized PDF can be downloaded HERE!

12.31.07- New years Eve with Zoe and Brian at Loews Hotel Philadelphia

New Year's Eve weddings are always special. There is an energy that stokes everyone up. This wedding was no different. Zoe and Brian are an incredibly warm, vibrant, hysterical couple and it was my honor to spend New Year's Eve with them and their families.  I was happy to have the opportunity to work again with my friend Connie Creed, who did a fabulous job with the decor of the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Here are a few from this awesome day that began at the Loews. The Ceremony was held and the magnificent Congregation Rodeph Shalom Synagogue in Philadelphia.

This photo thanks to Susan Stripling who second shot with me this day.

For the photographers out there, this was shot with the D3 @ 3200

D3 @ ISO 4000

D3 with 85 1.4 @ ISO 5000

Just seconds past midnight!!!

12.29.07- Jayme and Dave- Cairnwood Estate, Bryn Athyn PA

One of my favorite venues is Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn PA. Jayme and Dave had a beautiful day in December and were awesome to work with. It was also terrific to work with my good friends at Robert Fair Catering, one of the preferred caterers at Cairnwood. Here's a few from the day.