A Creative Mind.
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Mamina (5), Mihary (7), Luca (7) and Ajarah (5)
I T A O S Y
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Manovo (11)
I was able to have a little break and spend some time in Itaosy, Tana recently, for a couple of weeks. I wanted to spend more time here with my Malagasy family (I’ve known them since 1999), since the time was too short when I first arrived here in Madagascar.
Luca (7)
I was able to visit with many of them, share things with them, listen to them, catch up on life and what God is doing in all of our lives.
Fita with his mom, Lalaina
Lova and her boys
And of course I had the time to take lots of photos, mainly of all the of kids. Kids just LOVE getting their photos taken!
FIta (15), Sahaza (17), Jenny (16)
I look forward to spending some more time with them (and others) later on, before going back home to the states.
Nancy
F I T A H I A N A
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‘Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the common place, the slaves of the ordinary.’ -Cecil Beaton
Fita is 15 years old now and I remember when he was just a little baby. I know I’ve told this story before, but when was a toddler, around 2 or 3, he would love visiting me. One time when I went home on furlough, he still went to my room trying to find me.
Later on, when he was around 5 or 6, he would come over and talk to me after he got home from school and tell me all kinds of stories.
Of course there was a time where I was absent and didn’t see him for a number of years. When I saw him back in July after I arrived, I almost didn’t recognize him. He’s grown into an amazing young man.
I was visiting him and some of his other family the other day. I brought my camera gear along, hoping to get some photos of the kids playing around outside. Later in the day, he asked if we could do some photos. We both had different ideas for the photo session, and I was very happy and satisfied with many of the photos. He’s a born model!!
"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
"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity" - Mark Twain
I hope the best for you Fita, and I hope you can accomplish the things on your heart!
Adventures in the village.
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The church in Marotandrazana
Saturday morning we left early to head to the village of Marotandrazana. It’s the same village where I attended the 7 wedding celebration.
Laundry day!
This village is around 1 1/2 hour drive, plus a ride on a ferry across the river. It normally wouldn’t take that long, but with the state of the roads, it takes a bit longer. After around the first 30 minutes, we came across a river that we have to cross. There is a ferry that cars are able to drive upon to be able to get across. They have canoes as well, for people, mopeds, bikes, etc. With the river being so low, we weren’t sure if we were really going to be able to make it across and back. Going across was fine, but we had a bit of trouble coming back. There were a couple of times that the ferry started to get stuck in the low areas, and so thankfully some of the guys from the village were with us and help push the ferry across the river. As we were getting closer to shore, those were weren’t pushing the ferry, got off and onto a canoe to get back to shore. Once we all got off, it didn’t take them much longer to reach shore again.
I snapped this my phone once I got to shore.
One goal of my time was to take photos of the church leaders with their families, which are around 10. I also wanted to get a little video footage, and photos of the village and it’ surrounding areas.
One of the church leaders with his family. Their little baby is just under 1 month old!
Making coal.
When we arrived, we went into the church and visited a little bit with some of the leaders. After a while, along with a few of the leaders, Sharone (Victor’s oldest daughter) and I went with them to the other leaders homes and take their photos. The only thing I didn’t know (and neither did Victor) was that we were to walk up and down mountains and through rivers to get to the leaders.
One of the leaders with his youngest of 5 children.
The church leaders that took Sharone and I all over the place! Thankful to Patrick for carrying my backpack for me!!
Over a period of 2 hours or so, we walked through the jungles of Marotandrazana stopping through a few other smaller villages. Each time we arrived at a home, they invited us in for a minute and I explained what I wanted to do. I took their photos just outside their homes, and than we continued on our journey.
Another church leader and his family.
One point as we were walking up a mountain, one of the leaders took off on a side trail, and soon came back with a bunch of bananas to share. And in one of the smaller villages they offered us a fresh coconut to enjoy!
A machine to clean the rice. They just received this recently and had been praying for it for a while.
Even though it was hot at times, and I was tired from walking up mountains, the views were gorgeous and it was wonderful to visit the leaders homes and the rest of their families.
Bright green rice field.
One time the mountain was so steep, I almost fell backwards twice and quickly grabbed the arm of one of the leaders. There were two different times we had to forge through two small rivers. The first one we went across, I ended up stepping in the wrong spot, and my right foot ended up falling in around 4 inches of mud. I couldn’t get my foot out with the flip flop on, so took my foot off to get it out of the mud, and I had to dig around for it. Since they were so slippery wet and muddy, and the mountain was steep, I went barefoot for a while until we reach the top.
Sharone and I having fun in the jungle!
I think I will remember this day forever!
Street Photography: Tamatave
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On the way to Las Palmas, since we had to pass through areas of town, I took this time as an advantage and captured some street photography.
The road leaving the center, heading to town.
Boys playing ball down a sandy dirt road near one of the churches Victor and his team started
'He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every part was an improvision and a considerable part of one’s waking life was spent watching one’s feet' - Lord of the Flies, William Golding
Get your motor oil!
Rice, beans and other things.
Along a dirt road.
Sponges, rice, beans, brooms....
Wood, gravel and other building supplies.
Las Palmas Village
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‘Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the common place, the slaves of the ordinary’ - Cecil Beaton
This past Saturday afternoon I had the privilege to visit the village of Las Palmas. It had been 2 years since I had been there, and it was great to be back again. Our time there was short, just a couple of hours, but even in that amount of time, we could bring smiles to the peoples faces, especially the kids.
Most of the people in the village remembered me visiting them back in 2013. One of the village leaders, Solo and his wife Zafteny, invited us into their small home to sit and chat a bit, as we arrived. I expressed to them how happy I was to be back and visit them. I told them how important I felt it is that I am able to visit them more than just one time. I told them I wanted to take photos for their families and get as many photos of the kids around as I could.
The kids seemed to have a lot of fun as I took their photos. I think the best part was when I would show them their photo, they would all burst out with this amazing laughter. I wish that I had thought of having someone video their laughter, it was priceless!!!
I had a lot of fun with this little guy (in photo above). I wasn’t sure if he would let me hold him, but he had no fear of new people, or white people. I carried him around for a while until I was offered some coffee by Zafteny, and than I put him down. Once I put him down though, he wasn’t very happy, he wanted me to continue holding him, so I picked him back up and we walked around. Later on, his mother was holding him. He noticed some of the bigger kids playing around in the back of Victor’s truck, and he kept reaching, and wanted to join them. I went and took him and brought over to the truck, and sat him in the truck bed. He loved it and was talking up a storm, telling me stories I supposed, in his own little baby language.
Soon before we left, I sat down by Zafteny who was shucking beans for their dinner. I asked if they grew the beans there, she said they do. They don’t grow them right now to sell, but just enough to have for themselves for meals.
I started shucking the beans along with her, and Victor snapped a shot of us.
The local store in Las Palmas
Local church in Las Palmas
While there in the village, I was really in my element, I loved every bit of it, taking it all in. I can’t wait to get back to Las Palmas again and give them copies of some of their photos and get to the next village.
‘You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you’ - John Bunyan
Mr. DJ, can you play my song?
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I thought these photos deserved their own blog!!
I had this idea for Jo, and of course he loved it!!
I let his personality totally come out in this session!!
This kid is seriously the funniest little 3 year old ever!!!
And he loves looking at his photos...he smiles and gives a little laugh. And whenever he sees my headphones that he sued in these photos...he tells me, those are the things I was listening to music with!!!
Beach life.
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I have been to the beach a couple times now since I’ve been here. Most was just to bring the kids and play in the sand.
The other evening though I went with my friend Douce and the kids to walk along the shore. It was about sunset, the weather was beautiful, the sun was about to set and I loved hearing the waves crash against the sand. This was the first time I took my camera along. Even though my battery died before We got back home, I still was able to get some great shots of the beach. I look forward to getting back soon and get some more shots.
I could go to the beach every day and not get tired of it. Being in Tennessee we don’t get to the beach as often as we would like, so to have it here so close, I try to go as often as I can.
We had a bit of an adventure though at the end of our walk. I wish that my battery hadn’t died, so I could have gotten it on film (next time I need to check my battery life:).
As we were about to head back home, we noticed a couple of guys that had been walking their small herd of zebu, there on the beach. We weren’t super close to them, but one started getting upset, started jumping around and running away from the guy. As we weren’t sure which direction the zebu was headed, we ran the opposite direction, as fast as our feet could take us.
Photo above: Jo, Ariel, Sharone and Douce
Some of us were laughing, some screaming and some were tripping and falling in the sand. We go far enough away from the zebu to be out of harms way, though we kept looking back every few seconds to make they weren’t coming back in our direction.
We laughed about it all once we got home and were thankful that nobody was hurt.
Another day while I was at the beach, and this time there weren’t any zebu’s running wide this time, but I fell into a booby trap. It was literally a booby trap!!! I was walking in the sand and all of a sudden my right leg fell into a large hole in the sand. It was up past my knee. As I had help getting out of the hole, there were some small pieces of wood in the hole and pieces of plastic as well. Those things were covering the hole, so all you could see was the sand. As I pulled my leg out, my sandal had fallen off and we had to dig to find it.
Fun times at the beach here in Tamatave!
The kids of Itaosy.
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My first week in Madagascar I stayed in Itaosy, a suburb of Tana, the capital. I have known these kids and their families for years now and have watched them all grow up. They are an amazing group of kids!
This here is Princy. His is 22 now, but I remember when he was just a little guy, always talking to me in French and was super friendly. He would always come up to the room where I was living in at the time, and would tell me story, after story. And now, he is going to medical school to become a doctor!
This is Fita, who just turned 15! This kid is pretty awesome and a great model!! I remember when he was just a couple of years old, he would always come and visit me. And if I was gone for some reason, he would go throughout the house, calling my name!
Jedidiah, 11 years old.
Mihary, 6 years old.
Miandritiana, 18 years old
Sahaza, 17 years old
Manovo, 11 years old....too cool for words!
My time in Tana was a bit short because I have to start working on my visa, but I hope to get back over there sometime while I'm here and spend a bit more time with my friends. I am glad though I could have last week with them!
Mr. Handsome
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With this little guy turning 2, I had to take some new photos...and he did an amazing job!
If you have never met Vonn, you will most likely get to know him through these photos, his personality is awesome and so much fun!!
He seriously has the best smile ever!
This kid LOVES dancing!!! As I was taking photos, I asked him if he wanted to listen to some music and dance...he answered yes, and started singing. I put on one of his favorite songs to dance to...and as you can see here, he really gets into it!
Keep smiling Vonn!!! You bring joy to all those around you!
Happy birthday, buddy!!!
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Yesterday we had the privilege to celebrate Vonn's 2nd birthday!!!
He is seriously one amazing kid!!! He is funny, and has the best character and personality I have seen!! He's always full of joy and laughter, he can always make you smile!
I think he loved his cake!!
My sister has been Vonn and his big brother's nanny, since his big brother was about 2. They are like family to us, they come over all the time to play.
As you can see in this photo above, he has some awesome funny, exciting faces!! Like I said, I LOVE his personality, so much fun!!! He was so excited opening up his presents and loving them all.
I think my sister deserves the 'Nanny of the Year' award for making Vonn's amazing 'dirt' cake!! He loved it...even playing in it!! I mean come on, a cake you can play with and eat!!!
Cousins and friends!!!
When Vonn comes over to the house, if you give him a mop or broom, he loves to help clean!! So, my grandmother got him his own mop...and it was a hit!!!
Big brother had fun all afternoon on the jump house water slide with the other big kids!
la cirque
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I had this idea to do with Elijah since sometime last year. I came across a photo one day that inspired me to come up with this idea.
It look me a while to find the right material I needed for the costume. I ended up ordering it online. I designed the costume and my Grandmother made it...she's pretty amazing!
I also wanted a specific hat. I was in a store last year in a small town in Georgia, and once I saw it, I knew I had to get it, it was just what I was looking for!
Don’t forget-no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell. -Charles de Lint
‘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)
'I’m not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.’ -Lewis Carroll
Let your imagination run wild!
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'Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are' -Mason Cooley
King Max, from Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak
Ever since I was young, I loved reading. I remember the summer when I was introduced to the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, and read all eight of them. I couldn't put them down, and when the last one was finished, I wanted to read more of them.
For me, when I read, it's like I jump into that book, wherever it may be, and it's like I'm right there. My imagination pretty much runs wild, and I can picture in my mind all the things happening in that book, whether I've seen a movie about it or not.
Most of the time I usually read the books after the movie, but I always thoroughly enjoy them either way. It's like I'm on an adventure and can't wait to see what happens next.
There was a time when I got older, that I didn't read as much. I think mainly because I was living overseas and I didn't have access to many good books, except only the few that i had brought with me. Now though, I have the chance to get my hands on pretty much any book.
My favorite though, are definitely the classics, just like my taste in movies. I don't know why, but I have always enjoyed those more than any type of books that I have read in my life. Most of the time the classics are much longer, but that just meant that the adventures would keep going.
The Lost Boys from Peter Pan, by James Matthew Barrie
Like I mentioned earlier about Anne of Green Gables series, those are my top favorite by far. Others that I have enjoyed would be...the works of Mark Twain (Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, etc. ), Swiss Family Robinson by Jonathan David Wyss, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, the works of Jack London (The Call of the Wild, The Road, etc. ), the works of Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, etc. ), Peter Pan by James Matthew Barrie, and one of my all time favorites, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
There are others that I can't remember, but these are ones that I can recall, and some are more of my recent reads.
My most recent was The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I don't know why I never read it before, since I love the movies. I actually just finished it as of last night. There have been times when I see the book on my desk, and I think, I need to read today and the day goes by and it doesn't happen. And than there are those days when I go pick up the book and read for a while, and I can't seem to put it down. Last night was the latter, I couldn't stop reading and ended up finishing it.
After I finished it though, I automatically wanted to start a new book, with new adventures, but it was too late and I was falling asleep. It would have to wait until the following day.
There are so many things you can learn from reading a good book. Your mind expands with knowledge as well as it let's your imagination go crazy wild!
Today I started reading the Hunger Games trilogy. I got into those movies kind of late. The second movie was already out by the time I started watching them, and I pretty much fell in love with them. They are full of excitement and suspense! So now is the time to read the books and go on a journey to the Hunger Games! I know it's not a classic book like I prefer, but with such a strong interest of mine, I know that I will enjoy them.
If you are reading this, and you never really took time to read a good book, or you keep putting it off. I want to encourage you, take the time to read! Take time to set aside the things that are going on around you and dig into a good book. You won't regret it! I say, start with a great classic, you can't go wrong there!
'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
Fantine, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
'But in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.' C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism
a man and his guitar.
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So recently I got to do some awesome work with a friend of mine. He's a talented music producer and wanted me to take some shots of an artist he's working with, while in his studio.
'Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks. -Mark Rothko
It was fun hanging out with these guys, and it was a great experience for me! I'm thankful for this opportunity!
Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art. -Andy Warhol
Sometimes you have to have fun while in the music studio...even hanging out with Rancor!
Thanks again David for letting me hang out and document Josh in the studio!!! And good luck Josh in your music adventures!!
Don't stop creating.
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I sometimes have to remind myself to not stop creating. There are times when I get discouraged, especially when work is slow, but I can't give up. I can't just stop, but my mind is always at work, ideas are coming all the time, and I need to continue to create.
Hayes and I over to the corn field, went exploring, and took some photos. I played around with some natural light with a speedlite. Some are all natural, some have the speedlite lighting him as well, like the one below.
'Progress how you see, think and just push further and dive deeper into whatever is in front of you, so you're not just taking a photo that you've taken before' -Jake Stangel I want to keep this quote in mind as I continue to create, to keep pushing and diving deeper in photography.
'Don't forget- no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell'. -Charles de Lint
'A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is in a word effective'. -Irving Penn
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.
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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.