Don't stop creating.
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raise your flag up high.
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Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself
I'm not sure what it is, but I have this strange love for flags....I love implementing them into my photography at times. I had this idea the other day, so found some scraps and made this flag seen in these photos.
I saw this photo a while back, of a young man holding a large piece of material, standing in a field. I really thought the photo was cool, but I wanted to think of my own thing. I have a field across the street from my house, and what about using some type of flag!! I also had different ideas and shots I was looking for, with this specific session.
With using an off camera flash as well and some natural light, I wanted to get a darker, moody effect as well, which I believe I accomplished in these shots,
Of course I wanted to use my water sprayed plastic effect as well. This is the first time I've used it outdoors. I usually use this for more headshot but not full body shots. I wanted to experiment with using it outside and with the full subject as well. This was my favorite using the plastic!
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread through shadows to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
‘My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest’ - Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
waiting...not giving up.
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I have loved photography since I was young. I remember when I bought my first digital camera, a small Canon point and shoot. Before that, I would use film cameras, one of them being my Dad's old Pentax he got in the army (and I still use at times). Over the years I caught an eye for photography, and later on, the love just grew more and more.
A couple of years ago, I got my first DSLR camera, and wanted to learn more about photography. Through online courses, and multiple photography websites, I learned a lot (and I'm still learning), and love going out and practicing what I have learned.
Sometimes though, being an artist can be difficult. There's a lot of photographers out in the world today. It's a challenge at times, to get your work out there, to get more people to notice your work, to be different than the rest.
There have been some slow times in my work, and it can get discouraging. There were times, I can honestly say, I just wanted to give up. But, I would pray, I would get encouraged again and I wouldn't let it get me down. I would go out and creative more work and just keep at it!
Recently, I was chosen to be a part of a big and exciting art show, to be able showcase my work. When I received the email, my jaw dropped, and I asked myself, 'Is this for real, has this really happened?' And yes, it was for real!
I thank God for this opportunity to be able to show others my work, to meet new people and possibly meet new future clients as well.
The show is in less than 3 weeks and I have been getting things ready and together for it. I am trying to get all of the preparation done soon, so I'm not waiting to the last minute, or getting too stressed out about it.
I think this could be a great thing for my photography! I think it's going to be a great place to network with other artists, as well.
I will be showing a lot of my creative work, as well as some of my work from Madagascar. Some of my prints will be available to purchase, along with some greeting card sets with California and Madagascar photos on them.
I want to thank all of my friends, family and clients who have supported me over the years, and are supporting me now with this big event!
You can still purchase a ticket for this event, whether you are able to make it or not. But, I would love to see some friendly faces at the show!!
I believe it's going to be a great show, full of fun and excitement with a bunch of great artists!
Get your tickets here:
www.rawartists.org/cplowmanphotog
Anyone out there, reading this, that may be struggling with something...Don't Give Up! Whether you are an artist or not, whatever you may be passionate about, just keep at it and don't give up!
O captain, my captain.
in Photography, Blog
I had this idea for a photo session for a while. Once I knew I was going to California, and I knew I would be making multiple trips to the beach, I thought I would take advantage of this time. I was happy with the photos I got from this session with Deonte.
He's the son of my good friend, and he's a natural in front of the camera. I love taking photos of this little guy. I love seeing his awesome personality!
We went to Avila Beach one afternoon. I hadn't been there in years. I remember I used to go there often in the summer, when I was a kid. We would go over to one side, where the water was calm. We would bring our picnic and get some sun, play in the water, do a little exploring.
For these photos, we went to one side of the beach that had a bunch of rocks near the shore. It was a perfect spot for what I had in mind.
Of all the photos, I think this is one of my favorite. It's darker than the others, but I love the tones in this, and how he's gazing out at the sea.
The Scout.
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Recently, I did a session with Elijah in his Boy Scouts uniform.
Working with Elijah, you never know what's gonna happen. This kid is so fun to work with!
Sometimes I get his goofy side, and sometimes his serious side! It would have been great to have made a video of this session, seeing him being himself in the photos as well as in between the photos. He made me laugh a lot!
I wasn't planning on taking photos in the corn field, but once I saw it, I thought I had to get some shots! Elijah loved it! And if I would have let him, he would have ran throughout those fields.
Thanks Elijah for letting me capture these photos! And keep up the good work in Boy Scouts!!
homesick.
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Have you ever been to a place, a home, a city, anywhere? And once you left, you wish you could be there again? You wish you could just teleport yourself to that specific place? That's how I've been feeling lately. There are times when I miss a specific place, I miss the smells, I miss the views, I miss the people, I miss my friends...and lately, that place has been Madagascar. More specifically, Tamatave, at the place where I was last year for three months, with my friends Victor and Douce, and their three kids.
Douce (far left) and Victor (far right with Jo) at a small market in one of the villages we visited.
I miss waking up in the morning, having breakfast with them, watching the kids get ready for school, and either getting ready myself for a day in a village, or just staying at the base, working on communication stuff for my friends.
A little boy in one of the villages I visited.
I love the days when I would play for hours outside with the kids around the base. I would teach them some games, and they taught me some as well. They would sing, dance, and they loved having their photos taken, and videos. Pretty much after every photo or video I took, they would run up to me, asking to look at themselves. And of course they loved it!
Sina, Petro, Sharone and Ariel jumping
I remember little Jo, he loved playing with my phone and looking at his photos. Whenever I came into the room, he would ask 'Where's Jo' ('Aiza Jo')? I would sit with him on my lap and go through the videos or photos of him and he would love it! It would always bring a smile to my face. And if for some reason I put my phone away, he would continue asking 'Aiza Jo' until I brought out the phone again.
Little Jo, posing for the camera. He's a natural!
When I was on my flight back to the states, after my time in Madagascar, last year, I wasn't sure if I was able to do it again. I wasn't sure if I could make that long flight again. My flight coming home was longer than normal, but I just wasn't sure if I could make it again like that. But you know what, at the beginning of the year, I couldn't help but think, 'when am I going back to Madagascar'. I don't think too much about the flying, yes, I wish I could teleport myself back there in an instance, but things doing work that way. But my love for this country, for the people, is stronger than my thoughts of having a to take a long travel back. I do plan to go back, and I hope soon. Though the travels may be long, those feelings soon dwindle away once I step onto the big red island and let the adventures begin!
Be ready Madagascar, I will be back!
Me and Petro
'Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive' -H. Thurman
Crossing a bridge, going to a village in Tamatave.
the brothers.
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This week I had the privilege to do some photography with both Elijah and his younger brother Julian.
For the shots of the two of them, I was going for a rugged warrior look. I put them in costume and we headed down to the creek. With all the hot weather we had been having, I was surprised to still see some puddles of water around. But they were great for the photos, especially when you could see their reflections in the water.
I love working with these two, because I know I will always get something fun and exciting through the photos. I love capturing their expressions, and really getting their personalities to come out through the photos.
This one above makes me smile. I asked the boys to get me their best 'warrior' face. I love Julian's expression in this shot, he's ready to attack!
Some of the best photos though of this session, were the candid shots of them just being brothers. This is one of my favorites (above), you can just feel the love they have as brothers.
I try not to over pose my subjects, I really want them to just feel relaxed, and be themselves. At times, I just let them be, and I'm able to get some amazing shots.
After getting shots of these two guys, I wanted some of just Julian.
I was watching a movie the other day, and something I saw, triggered an idea for this photo session with Julian.
I sometimes will get inspired or get ideas from movies I watch, besides get inspiration other ways.
As I looked through these photos of him, I couldn't help but smile. I could see so much of his personality and character coming to life in these photos. This kid is a crack up!
I gave him this piece of red material, and asked him to fly it around, wave it around. The wind picked up some at that moment and it was flying around. And he kept laughing, saying how funny it was that it was flying in the wind.
This last one here, below, is my favorite from this session. I love everything about it. I love the color and tones of this shot, and the way he's standing, as well as the way the red 'flag' is falling over his shoulder.
I had a lot of fun with these two, and I hope they had just as much fun!
the boy with a flag.
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I have been wanting to do this session for a while now. I'm glad I was able to accomplish it today, thanks to my great model!! I haven't worked on a regular session with this guy in a while. It's been too long I think, I've missed working with him. He's so much fun to be around and is so photogenic. He's one of the few that can really pull off exactly what I have in my mind.
We went down to the creek to get these shots. It's nice to have one in walking distance. I wasn't sure if there would be any water in it, and I'm glad that there was.
I took the first shots with just natural light, but than halfway through, I added the off camera flash with an umbrella. I like both, but I think of all the shots, I prefer the ones with the flash.
I seriously love the expressions I get with him, to get some of his personality is awesome!
Of the entire session, I think this one above, is my favorite. I love the lighting on this one (flash), and I love his serious expression. He really can give me a great serious face when asked.
I'm looking forward to working him more in the future, as well as with his little brother and sister.
growing up.
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I can't believe this little guy is already one year!! I remember when I took his photos when he was just one week old, and than at 6 months old, and now one year. He's not only adorable and cute, but so funny and fun to be around. Yes, he will keep you on your toes (just ask my sister, his nanny), but he is seriously the sweetest and happiest little guy.
He is walking all over the place now!
I love this little guys eyes, so beautiful, so blue!
