Once again we open our blog to a local guest photographer, Paul Crowed.

Check out his work below and on his channels

1. Who are you? 

My name is Paul Cowled (Cowz) and I run Photos By Cowz.  I am  retired, having taken an early pension from the Army and leaving my ACT Government Job (woohoo) to follow my passion – my family and my photography.

2. How did you become a photographer?

 I was a Special Investigator and Scenes of Crime Examiner in the Military Police and this is where I learnt photography, in a darkroom with old Nikon FM2’s.

3. What inspires you?

I have a few areas of interest in photography.  My favourites are landscapes and macros, however a close third is boudoir/fine art.  Most of my personal projects find their way to my facebook page (www.facebook.com/photosbycowz) or my instagram account (www.instagram.com/photos_by_cowz) whereas my boudoir images can mainly be found on my website (www.photosbycowz.com.au).

4. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt either from a teacher/mentor or by the hard way?

I have learnt that everyone does not work at the same pace or regimented time frame as I am used to.  I have learnt to add time to everything model related lol.  

5. Who would you’d like to shoot/work along with?

There are so many talented creatives in the ACT, I cannot pick out any one person, I will work alongside or with anyone, as long as I can learn something.

6. What’s in your bag

Equip….. well… 

Fujifilm GFX100 with 120mmf4 macro, Fujifilm GFX50S with 32-64mmf4 (I am an ambassador for Camercorp and this is a loaner from them).  These two medium format monsters are used for the bulk of my work, they are the workhorses. 

Hasselblad X1D with 45mmf3.5.  This gorgeous piece of Swedish craftsmanship is not the fastest or easiest medium format camera to use, but the images are incredible.  Due to its small size, I primarily use it for landscapes where a lot of kit is heavy to carry long distances.

Leica TL2 with Leica 23mm f2 and a 7Artisans 55mmf1.4 manual lens.  This is a solid little travel camera that is only an APSC sensor but is fun to use and easy to travel with.

Olympus TG5.  This is the wet and muddy and sandy and any other condition camera that I don’t want to destroy an expensive rig.

7. What’s your favourite piece of gear / tool / props?

I prefer natural light for all my work, but do have 4 speed lights, some LED constant lights etc…. But they are rarely used.  For processing, I have a little Mac mini connected to a 24 inch Wacom Cintiq Pro and along side a second monitor as an office based workstation.  For travel, I used the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro.  

8. What would be your workflow

I use multiple suites of software, just depending on what look I am after, but primarily LR and PS with a bit of Nik collection thrown in.  For stacking macros I use Helicon Focus.

9. Do you have any suggestions for aspiring photographers

After many frustrating months of trying to start a business, my suggestion is …. Be sure photography is a business for you and not a hobby.  I don’t charge as I love what I do, which is not a good business model.

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