The world of fine photography is mourning the death of Dean Collins, a North County native who passed away at his home in San Diego on Wednesday after a two-year battle with cancer.

Collins, born in 1953 in Oceanside and a 1970 graduate of Vista High School, was renowned for his lighting and camera techniques as well as educational videos and seminars.

Upon hearing of the death, Roger Daines, president of the Professional Photographers of California, posted a Web site message recognizing Collins as his mentor and writing that Collins "was to photography like Edison was to electricity —— a creator and innovator."

Sharon Harrison, Collins sister, said in a telephone interview Monday from her home in Gig Harbor, Wash., that her brother got his start in photography during his days at Vista High School, where he took pictures for the yearbook.

"They had an old camera and he got up in front of the entire student body and talked them into buying him a better camera," Harrison said.

In his early 20s, Collins began giving lectures in lighting and technique after starting his professional career at Dunlap-Tierney Studies in Los Angeles County. He subsequently spent several years in Europe learning in advanced commercial photo studios.

Much of his work focused on controlling light and understanding its behavior in capturing images. In the early 1980s, he and a partner founded Finelight Publishing and refined the publishing of photo lighting materials.

In 1990, he began experimenting in electronic imaging, leading to a close association with Adobe Systems. Collins' company, Software Cinema, now produces a variety of training resources for Adobe's Photoshop software program.

Tim Whitehouse, a long-time friend and colleague, said that Collins' skills were simply "otherworldly."

"He passed those on to photographers worldwide who laud him for helping them open their eyes," Whitehouse said.

Collins always displayed a keen wit and engaging style when conducting a seminar, Whitehouse and Harrison said.

"He was dynamic and charismatic and very funny," she said. "Some people keep their inner music inside. He let his music out his entire life."

Collins' work included production of catalogues, corporate photography and portraits of the rich and famous, including late President Ronald Reagan, the Washington Redskins football team and other professional athletes.

His brother, Kip Collins, said Monday that his sibling never lagged in the pursuit of his profession.

"From the day they gave him his first camera, he just became absolutely obsessed," Kip Collins said. "He was an incredibly busy guy who lectured all over the world and was very free with his knowledge and about his photography."

Collins was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America and held an honorary degree from Brooks Institute of Photography.

His survivors include his wife, Linda, and two children as well as his mother, brother and sister. A memorial service will take place at noon Saturday at Sonrise Community Church in Santee.

Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.