Tim Mantoani’s Press Attraction

Tim Mantoani’s epic journey, “Behind Photographs” has become a significant trend online. Major features in WIRED, Yahoo News, Juxtapoz, Huffington Post, Trendhunter, Gizmodo, ABC and local press and television attention in San Diego.

In 2006, Tim Mantoani began his historic journey and instantly captured two of his photographic heroes in San Francisco—James Marshall and Michael Zagaris (pictured above)—on large formatted Polaroid film. Tim’s initial experience was awe-inspiring. High on the buzz of harnessing the power of the 20x24 Polaroid camera, Tim Mantoani put 150% into his project burning 100s of hours on the coordination of each photographic session—156 in all; 1000s of dollars invested into equipment (20x24 camera), suplies (Polaroid film, now discontinued) and travel (NY—CA; and over 10,000 minutes of focussed scrutiny on each page of “Behind Photgraphs: Archiving Photographic Legends.”

And it’s no wonder, press and online traction began trending this week in support of “Behind Photographs.” One reason for this trend leads to the media demands for measurable, authentic and accessible content. Ultimately, this has lead to Tim’s integrity, consistent connection with the media over six years, 156 legendary photographers portraits featuring their most iconic image unified by one dynamic, visual storyline. Online trends are often based on the variety of information that can be derived from one story line: Tim Mantoani—the self-driven, self-financed catalyst who archived culture shifting photographers, (lifers), who shape shifted our planet’s visual understanding of politics, tragedy, fame, entertainment, sex and iconic position over seven generations.

Archival trends promote international relevance. National Geographic Brazil picked up “Behind Photographs” to celebrate their rich tradition of collaborating with amazing nature and world traveled photographic icons.

Trending is even cool for friendly competitors. Phaidon, an amazing publisher, featured the archival importance of Tim’s visionary assemblage on their website. A wonderful support tactic to elevate many of the featured photographers showcased in “Behind Photographs,” elevating Phaidon’s library of photography books.

Industry spotlights. Those who care most in the world of photgraphy. Often industry trending is the hardest to come by—call it politics or top of the heap snobbery—but authentication wins. Tim Mantoani did a great job curating 156 of the who is who in the world of photography including a wide variety of niche specific industries—sports, music, nature, politics, war and conflict...Visura Magazine

YouPublishing—self manifesting your intuition to promote a good thing when you see it (Mark Murphy ISM). With over 3500 tweets generated from WIRED alone, Tim Mantoani’s “Behind Photographs” continues to grow in relevance as the word is spread by the public through a host of many websites with diverse offerings. Over 10,000 connections have been made, sharing “Behind Photographs” within hyper-focussed visual communities who identify with the archival merit and scope of making the impossible possible.

Tim Mantoani’s,“Behind Photographs” will continue to gain the attention of the world public,photographers, collectors and fans of all things culturally inspired. Two yearsof design development and one year of solid production was and IS completelyworth it. Job well done equals socialized traction. Please check out morearchived articles featuring Tim Mantoani and “Behind Photographs”—Book Packaging, Behind Photographs, Book Release, Tim Mantoani Interview (Tim Mantoanipictured above)—Fire up your content, promote and invite your community toattract maximum traction.

Guru Tattoo Photo Day w/ Tim Mantoani

Pacific Beach based Guru Tattoo is generating art of all kinds for their first book, “Creative Urges,” to be release later this year. Leader of the band and ink on skin aficionado, Aaron Della Vedova reveals, “Guru’s essential ingredient is the flavor derived from eleven artists working together as one formidable art collective.”

Having recharged their creative batteries while on holiday break, Guru was a buzz today with tattoo guns inking inspired art work of the permanent type. The energy within the shop was/is super positive and features a diverse group of creative talent working hard for their clients. Tim Mantoani and I spent the afternoon photographing the studio and capturing the special details that will bring “Creative Instincts” to life. The photographs reveal the multi-dimensional persona of Guru Tattoo and assist me with the visual narrative with the turn of each page. (Above: Body Sleeve art details, in the office of Adam Hathorn).

Tim Mantoani is one of those photographers that understands the importance of instantly connecting with his subjects. A great attribute when you have 150 minutes to shoot up the place. Tim moved the camera around, looking for the most sacred spaces that provide daily inspiration for the guys at Guru. I think we scratched the surface and were successful capturing great portraits and details that will most certainly elevate the book and provide fans of “all things creative” an intimate look into an award-winning tattoo shop like no other. (Pictured above: Ron, Kyle Walker sanctuary and Paul Dhuey at work).

And as Jean Dubuffet penned, “For me, insanity is super sanity. The normal is psychotic. Normal means lack of imagination, lack of creativity.” There is wall to wall creativity and I can’t wait to reveal the tattooed pages of “Creative Urges,” not to mention the artistry of Aaron Della Vedova, Paul Dhuey, Adam Hathorn, Cooper (pictured above 1), Nate Banuelos, Rory Keating, Kevin Dickinson, Nick Alvarez, Eno (pictured above 2 and art work wall below), Kyle Walker, Champion, Ron and Peeps.

Stay tuned for more details about the 2012 release of “Creative Urges” featuring the artistry of Guru Tattoo with a lively intro penned by Greg “Craola” Simkins and the vivid photography of Tim Mantoani and Peeps—as well as all of the guys and their digital arsenal. I promise over 172 pages of wall to wall photos, illustrations, tattoos, paintings and visual meanderings that capture the essence of Guru Tattoo goodness. (Feel like reading more? Article Two, Article One).

(Above: Craola opening original, Champion working hard). All photography by Tim Mantoani photography. And with kind thanks extended, no job is possible without the imaginative talent of great friends helping you along.

Behind Photographs by Tim Mantoani

Happy new year! With the first entry of the year, I thought to share a motivational story featuring San Diego based photographer Tim Mantoani. Tim’s epic photographic archive, “Behind Photographs” typifies the pursuit of dreams no matter the odds.

“Behind Photographs” is an epic archive on two levels. Firstly, Tim Mantoani captures over 158 photographic legends holding onto their most favorite, and often times, most iconic photographic print. The final 20x24 Polaroid is signed by the photographer and includes a personal memory about the photograph. Secondly, Tim captures the who’s who of photography utilizing an instant 20x24” Polaroid camera. No small accomplishment when considering:

1/ Polaroid abandoned the instant photography business completely in 2007, discontinued making instant film in February of 2008. (Above, Douglas Kirkland and James Marshall)

2/ Five 20x24 Cameras were built between 1977—1978 by Vision Research utilized by photographic artists Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jim Dine, William Wegman and many more.

3/ Tim Mantoani initiated the project, renting a 20x24 in 2006 and photographed rock and roll photographer, Jim Marshall (1936-2010) and sports photographer, Michael Zagaris in San Francisco. Immediately hooked on the project’s potential, Tim purchased a 20x24 camera located in Los Angeles.

Tim Mantoani has no doubt invested thousands of personal hours, tens of thousands of dollars and has extended himself to the photographic arts industry in a method that will remain potent throughout history. Photography legends and their iconic photographs include moments in history that capture: Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Orson Welles, Muhammad Ali and over a hundred more featured over 216 pages and doubles as a visual history through time.

Tim and I first initiated discussion about his first monograph back in 2008 at a time when Polaroid had decided to discontinue the manufacturing of its instamatic film camera and film. Over the past three years, several reiterations and reincarnations of the project, “Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends” is a collector’s dream that includes an oversized footprint, richly produced with an eye for detail, iconic imagery which has influenced politics, religion, fashion, music and our cultural sensibilities over the past 75 years.

Tim Mantoani is a dedicated ambassador of the photographic arts who chased an impossible dream and turned it into a historical archive that will last beyond our lifetimes. “Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends” by Tim Mantoani is now available in standard and limited editions on his website.

Sweet happy New Year magic wishes. Apply your dreams and make them happen.