WMB 3D: World's Most Beautiful

The Los Angeles-based magazine[2] WMB 3D: World's Most Beautiful was founded by photographer Nick Saglimbeni and business executive Howard Misle in 2011.[1] The magazine's stated mission "is to capture the most beautiful people, places, products, and fashion on the planet...in an unprecedented 3D viewing experience."[8]

The magazine is routinely described as "the first commercial magazine entirely photographed and designed in 3D,"[1] and all elements, both features and advertisements,[8] are photographed using Saglimbeni's proprietary 3D photographic technology[9] the "Saglimbeni3D™."[1] The two-part system consists of stereo capture, as well as post-production and retouching techniques.[10] Each issue comes with a 2D version included.[9] Standard red-cyan anaglyph glasses are required to view the images in 3D;[8] glasses are inside, or the company supplies them for free via mail.[4]

The magazine is also available for iPad, iPhone or Android. A free WMB 3D app was made available in the iTunes App Store and in Google Play, with the magazine content sold separately.[11] Digital 3D and 2D images are hi resolution, allowing the reader to zoom in on details and text.[8] The App versions also have interactivity such as embedded videos and bonus galleries. The WMB3D.com website was created in tandem with the print magazine,[8] and also has material such as behind-the-scenes photos and backstage video interviews.[8]

A portion of the profits from each issue are donated to charity.[11]

The first edition of the magazine was released on August 8, 2011. Initially the 200-page print version was discounted to $4.99, and the app to view the digital magazine was free on iPads, iPhones and Android phones.[3][7]

It featured Kim Kardashian on the cover,[3][12] and starting on August 1, 2011 her associated fashion photo-shoot in the California desert was featured on E! News.[7] She also attended the magazine's launch party in Hollywood[13] later that month.[3] Other magazine featured covered American model and actress Melanie Iglesias, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the country of Italy, and others.[8]

Reception

In April 2012, founder Nick Saglimbeni received the "Grand Prize in 3D" at the Sony World Photography Organisation Awards in London, England for the WMB Issue 1 fashion feature, "Nuclear Summer", starring Swedish runway model Therese Fischer.[1]

Issue Two was released on January 5, 2012 with actress Gabrielle Union as the cover model.[14] It also featured comic executive Stan Lee,[4] 2009 Playmate of the Month Jessica Burciaga, the country of Kenya, comic Chris D'Elia of Whitney, and the Ferrari F430 Spider.[8] Indian actress Mallika Sherawat was pictured in an 11-page photoshoot "in the role of a mechanic, saddled with a car that has packed up, and hoping to get a lift back to civilization."[2] It was her first shoot with an American photographer,[5] and according to the model, "I have never been photographed more beautifully."[2]

Reception

According to UK print-related magazine PrintWeek in June 2012, "The magazine is considered a turning point in the use of 3D and has attracted a lot of attention as a result."[9] A month later Saglimbeni was granted the annual Champion Award from NVIDIA for the WMB Issue 2 fashion feature "Warehouse Wonderland," which featured model Aryn Livingston.[15]

WMB 3D Volume 3 was released in print and online on June 1, 2013.[10] Print copies also reached shelves at a number of Barnes & Noble book stores,[11] with two pairs of sunglasses still included.[10]

Canadian model Estella Warren was on the cover,[16] and other featured people included fashion designers Kylie Jenner & Kendall Jenner of the Kardashian family, comedian Kevin Hart, actress Layla Kayleigh, and model Nazanin Mandi.[11] An 8-page feature on trance musician Paul Oakenfold was also included, with pictures of a live performance in Las Vegas.[17] Among the documented locations and events were the Burning Man festival, Morocco, and China (Harbin). A Bentley Continental GTC was also focused on.[11]