Colby Brown Photography » Humanitarian

Mi Camera Mi Mundo Event in Denver

CBphotography — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:22:29 +0000

Tomorrow, October 8th 2011, Empowerment International will be holding a phenomenal photography event here in Denver, Colorado. EI focuses on bringing education to underprivileged youth in Nicaragua in an attempt to keep them off the streets and out of gangs in and around the Barrios outside Granada. One of their programs is teaching photography to these kids and this event is showcasing their photography work from their home country. All proceeds go back to the organization and these kids, allowing them to expand their programs and reach more children in need. I will be the keynote speaker for the event and I hope to see some of you there. This will also signify the official launch of “The Giving Lens“, which aims to blend photo education and giving back to local communities around the globe. The first photography workshop/humanitarian adventure will be to Nicaragua, working with the same aspiring photographers from this event.

For more information about the event or to purchase a ticket, check out the Mi Camera Mi Mundo website.

How Learning How To Photograph Can Help Change The World

CBphotography — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Have you ever dreamed of trying to make a difference through the art of photography? I know I have. When I first got into this industry, nearly 8 years ago, I had high hopes of traveling the globe while working for National Geographic and changing the world. Totally realistic for a guy that just bought his first DSLR camera right? Over the years I have learned that while many photographers might have great intentions of trying to make the world a better place, more often then not, they don’t know where to start or how to get involved. That is why I created The Giving Lens, an organization whose mission is to fuse photo education with giving back to local communities.

Starting in 2012, The Giving Lens will offer multiple low cost photography workshops all over the globe. Each workshop will have participants working directly with an NGO on the ground in the given country. They will be engaging with local individuals while learning photography and making a difference in the lives of those communities they are working in. Think low cost, all inclusive (aside from airfare) workshops, where you not only learn to become a better photographer, but where your hands on experiences change lives. The workshops themselves will not be focused on humanitarian photography, but travel and landscape work as well. Did I mention that the vast majority of the cost of the workshop goes directly towards the NGOs we are working with and that most of the expense is also a tax write off? On top of that, my team is working hard to come up with creative and interactive ways where EVERYONE can get involved. We fully understand that not everyone can take a week off of work or afford a photo workshop, even one as affordable as ours. There will always be plenty of opportunity for people to play their role..no mater what their situation.

Sound too good to be true? Head to The Giving Lens website and sign up to be notified when we launch. Alot more information will be available in the coming weeks and months. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that was used in an Apple commercial back in 1997.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble – makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of the rules, and they have no respect for the status – quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”

Helping the Disabled Children of Haiti

CBphotography — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:14:56 +0000

“The Importance of Education” – Jacmel, Haiti – 2011

In a country like Haiti, there is almost no larger issue then that of eduction. When you have a country where less then 1% of the population have a college degree, you know there are problems. However a commonly overlooked aspect of most education systems in 3rd world countries such as Haiti is helping disabled children. That is where PAZAPA comes in! Located in the unique and beautiful southern town of Jacmel, Pazapa is doing amazing work. Since 1987, their mission has been to support the treatment, education and development of children with disabilities as well as to help them integrate them into their local communities. While their facilities where completely destroyed in the devastating January 12th earthquake last year, they have set up school on a nice and quite piece of land just off one of the main roads in the city. It was truly a pleasure to work with the kids, teachers and organizers of Pazapa. Keep an eye out for more photography work from my time with the phenomenal organization in the coming weeks and months.

CAMERA: Canon 5D Mark II
LENS: Canon 27-70 2.8L at 46mm
ISO: 1600
EXPOSURE: f / 6.3 at 1/500 sec

*You can view a high resolution version of the above image by clicking on it

You can purchase this print HERE

You can inquire about licensing this image HERE

You can view more of my photography work from Haiti HERE

Haitian Artist Sketches Free Hand Designs

CBphotography — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:18:19 +0000

“Exuleun” – Port au Prince, Haiti – 2011

On my last trip to Haiti, I dedicated some of my time and energy into documenting many of the amazing artisans that are spread throughout Port au Prince. This photo is of Exuleun Exuma who is working through an apprenticeship with the famous Serge Jolimeu, who is actually a featured artist in a gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico next month. Serge is a metal work artist and he runs a large organization just outside of Port au Prince. Exuleun is one of a small number of talented up and coming artists that has the ability to sketch free hand designs that will ultimately become beautiful and unique metal work that is showcased through Haiti.

CAMERA: Canon 5D Mark II
LENS: Canon 100mm 2.8L IS Macro
ISO: 1000
EXPOSURE: 1/160 sec at f / 4.5

*Click on the above image to view a high resolution version

You can inquire about licensing this image HERE

You can view more photography work from Haiti HERE

Faces of Haiti – Rebuilding an Island Nation

CBphotography — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:37:49 +0000

A year ago today, a massive earthquake rocked the Island Nation of Haiti, leaving the country in ruins. 250,000 people died in what seemed like an instant and another 1.5 million where left homeless. While many good things have happened over the past 12 months, the bulk of the problems plaguing the country have not been fixed or even properly addressed in some cases. In June of last year, fellow Colorado resident and professional Photographer, Ray Tollison and I founded LESPWA HAITI (website still under construction), with the aim to help bring back the focus on the hope, struggle and perseverance of the Haitian people.

By connecting with small organizations like H.E.L.P and Trees, Water and People, we were able to capture amazing stories of individuals and organizations, working together to rebuild a better country. While they still have a long way to go to achieve their goals, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that they have a voice and that it is heard. Since our initial visit we have had numerous articles written about our project throughout Colorado and we have secured a photography exhibition at 910arts, one of the largest art galleries in Denver, from May 3rd – June 11th…effectively allowing the people of Colorado to connect with not only the organizations we are working with, but the people of Haiti as well. Our work has allowed these organizations to better connect with their donor bases and we are looking forward to our trip back to Haiti next month to continue with the project.

In an attempt to honor those that parished on January 12th, 2010, I am show casing a small preview of our work in Haiti titled, “Faces of Haiti”. If you would like to get involved, donate money to our project or just discuss the situation in Haiti please send me an EMAIL or give me a call at the number listed on the top of this website.

“Faces of Haiti” preview

“Lost Innocence”

“Mango Farmer”

“Beautiful Eyes”

“Stove-Tec at Work”

“Focused”

“Haitian Market”

“Innocence”

“A Smile Amidst the Chaos”

“A Child’s Laugh”

“Years Beyond Belief”

“Child Friendly Spaces”

We Need Change! Haiti’s Call for Help…

CBphotography — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:44:39 +0000

“We Need Change” was a phrase I heard often on the streets of Port Au Price, Haiti. While shooting photography for “Lespwa Haiti“, a photo documentary project that I am collaborating on with Ray Tollison, it was difficult not to pick up on the sentiments of the Haitian people .

It has been over 6 months since the January 12th earthquake decimated the island nation of Haiti and yet there is still so much to be done. IDP camps litter the capital of Port Au Prince, effectively making over 1,000,000 Haitians vulnerable to what appears to be a very bad hurricane season. However the Haitian people still have hope and optimism in their hearts. Haitians are a hard working people and trust me…there is plenty of work that needs to be done. In the coming weeks, I hope you join Ray and I as we redesign the Lespwa Haiti website and bring to light touching stories, compelling photography and a glimpse into the amazing and resilient people of Haiti.

Lespwa Haiti – Lespwa fe viv. Hope makes life.

CBphotography — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:13:59 +0000

Lespwa fe viv. Hope makes life.

Lespwa Haiti Website

In the wake of the January 12th earthquake, the island nation of Haiti was left in ruins. The country’s capital, Port-Au- Prince, crumbled, killing more then 250,000 people while leaving 1.5 million homeless and more than 300,000 orphans…a figure that is rising every day. While the world and media came to the aid of the Haitian people, they have long since moved on to other stories and events, following suit with the typical “attention span” of the world wide news media.

This is where Lespwa Haiti (Hope for Haiti)- A Work In Progress steps in. Founded by Ray Tollison, Melissa Basta and myself and sponsored by F-Stop Gear, Lespwa Haiti is a five year photo documentary project thats aim is to keep the focus on the ongoing stuggles of the Haitian people and the NGO’s that truly are making a difference. On June 3rd, 2010, the three of us will fly to Haiti and document a variety of stories about the people, organizations and events that are working to help build back a better Haiti. What separates this project from most, is that every year, we will lead one or two trips down to Haiti to follow up on the stories that cross our paths on this initial visit, effectively allowing the world to see how things are progressing first hand. This project is also unique in the sense that everyone will be able to follow us durring our trip, view a live GPS feed that we are currently setting up.

Please visit the Lespwa Haiti website, HERE, to find more information about the project. We are also asking for donations to help make this project a reality. No donation is too small, but if you donate over $50, you will receive a free 10×15 print of your choice out of the photography work that we capture durring this project. You can click HERE to donate to this cause.

There will plenty of more information released in the following days.In the mean time you can become a fan of the Lespwa Haiti Facebook Page.