Make Light Real - Inspiration for Photographic Lighting and Photoshop Instruction

Make Light Real Understanding the Darkness to be the Light.

Hello, I'm Neil Cowley - this site is my creative journal released to you for your blessing.

In my study of darkness, the light reveals itself to my consciousness.

As I raise my consciousness to create, light illuminates my path and creation manifests.

May you be blessed in your creation, and walk your path open to the light.

Weekly tweets by Neil Cowley

Neil January 17th, 2010

Hanging with @jmarkwallace and @dianewallace at #ImagingUSA! take 2 http://tweetphoto.com/8457501 (via @AdoramaPix) #
Who's at #ImagingUSA? Let's get up! (via @brettarthur) #
@techyfeely check out Tamara Lackey tomorrow night 6pm in reply to techyfeely #
#photogs #imagingUSA Checkout @nathanholrit: Come to Pres. Ballrooms A & B at 4:00 where @_davidjay is presenting (via @fleurdeleigh) #
RT @davidbean Photographer party at my studio for all #ImagingUSA and #DWFC TONIGHT. RT it http://bit.ly/8A0ofH (via @GrayPhotography) #
Stoked! 2nite's @FastTrackPhoto & @thebschool #ImagingUSA Meet-Up 6pm @ Jack Daniels. Get there early!(via @danesanders) (via @ericcrouch) #
@lianabanana sure let's have breakfast in reply to lianabanana #
Surrisingly low usage of Papyrus and Zapfino. I'm proud if you, #ImagingUSA. (via @mandermu) [hahaha love the snobbby design jokes] #
#imagingusa spent an hour talking with #graphistudio, those guys rock. They make sure you are getting 100% (via @XeryaX) Totally Agree!!!! #
Ack!! Expo overload! Standouts so far are meeting @LoriNordstrom and ProShow Producer #ImagingUSA (via @anaphoto) #
@ericcrouch I'll see you at Jack Daniels for the party! in reply to ericcrouch #
Putting the finishing touches on a new exciting seminar called "Substance & Style 2night @ 6pm #ImagingUSA (via @JefnJul) way to be prepared #
Preparing to imbibe beer tonight at #bowledover by sipping Sofia http://yfrog.com/4ar68vj (via @rachellacour) #
Just booked a January 23rd wedding. Nothing like running my entire business from my iPhone while driving my Honda element. #
@msholin was that medicine induced or restorative? Hope to meet u at aging. Or Asheville in reply to msholin #
@AdoramaPix what time does which start…..? 6pm Jack daniels.. in reply to AdoramaPix #
DWF drinking is going on at Goldrush #DWF #imagingUSA #
Just wrapped the first Mind Like Water shoot at #ImagingUSA who's next for this fine art series? http://bit.ly/3xjTBr #
@pbinder hahahahaaaaa still laughing with y'all from last night. We cam always slide together in the elevator in reply to pbinder #
@danesanders Hey man. If you have time for a portrait let me know. If not I'll catch you in Vegas!!! #
@TamaraLackey why are we supposed to Twitter? #
@TamaraLackey I think I missed your DVD trailer – you'll have to play it again for those of us who are late!!!! #
@TamaraLackey :p from the back row #
@TamaraLackey I can win a DVD???? #
@TamaraLackey yea Lisa Walter just give me the DVD!!!!! #
@TamaraLackey shouldn't you guys pay attention? http://yfrog.com/4ietazj #
@TamaraLackey ???Tam – how come you're so small??? http://yfrog.com/4eucofj #
Free drinks 1516 Demonbreun THX @PictageSimon (via @christypenn) (the first party I've been to at #imagingusa where the average age is >30) #
#imagingusa and #dwf are filling my head but kicking my butt. (via @abritton) #
@cliffmautner at #DWF: “A market is never saturated with a good product, but it is very quickly saturated with a bad one.” Henry Ford #
Tweeting from Tootsie's here in Nashville with @sarafrance @Davidmolnar and @laurenhillary #
The party rolls on to The Stage on Broadway #
Prince is not the tilyme to be covered at a Nashville Honkytonk bar in Nashville #
Best addition to a cheese plate – tempura fried Brie – Virago Nashville TN :p #
Happy ending for #DWF at Virago Sushi #
Slurping hot Ginger toddy at the Patterson House her in Nashville BEST COCTAILS evaaaaaaaaaar #
Chuck Arlund Aka super Dave is "Sponsored by Walmart and God." – @dwf_forum @chuckarlund #
Suck an epic conversation with @LifeMoments @chuckarlund @dwf_forum @allanat @stevezphoto #
@BPPhotographer check my stream from last July in reply to BPPhotographer #
@AdoramaPix driving back today and will spend the night 'recovering' in the blue ridge mountains in reply to AdoramaPix #
@amberholritz no just can't talk and tweet spell at the same time !! in reply to amberholritz #
@JasonDomingues Stacey just told me u wanted headshots. Next time speak up!! in reply to JasonDomingues #
Aaaaaaaaaw I was just a skinny leg – but I knew life for living – aaaaaaw won't you take me home tonight. (headbang) rocking fat I40 home #
Who's going to change my facebook picture when I'm dead? I need to think up a good prank now…so someone can do it for me when time is up #
Bought the 'Mophie Juice Pack Air Case' http://bit.ly/596ZFP so I can show folks my slideshows and photos without running out of power. #
Just downloaded the #free Palm Music Sampler http://bit.ly/6UQEbn with Groundbreaking independant music~~ !! ten tracks of #MP3 goodness #
Head bobbing to 'The Dusk' by DJ Food and it's horse sounds melody (MP3 Download) http://bit.ly/67pdhs #
Fantasy – with order; Freedom – with order; fantasy – as much as you like – with order ♫ http://blip.fm/~j7n8c #
@liesldiesel – All the fear has left me now, I'm not frightened anymore, It's my heart that pounds beneath my f… ♫ http://blip.fm/~j7rw9 #
a question I often ask myself…. ♫ http://blip.fm/~j7vgv #
@jeremycowart camelback and gaiters for your boots. Boxes of powerbars, emergenC drink mix to keep hydrated and sustained in reply to jeremycowart #
Loving this mellow relaxing slightly regge #free #MP3 #Download titled "Deja" by Sidestepper http://bit.ly/6Dwmv4 <–download it #
I am so greatful to be living in North Carolina where I can walk to trade joes but have to wear sunglasses cause the sun is so bright and wm #
@pbinder folllow for the photography or the freeriding tips? in reply to pbinder #
@annienels heck yea!! Purple rules. Photos uploading now (finally – sorry about the wait I got sucked into convention brain) in reply to annienels #
@JasonDomingues I was running nonstop. Cant wait to sleep wig you in Vegas — wait that doesn't sound right. in reply to JasonDomingues #
@AdoramaPix well then i will see u in Vegas in reply to AdoramaPix #
I need photo tone and contrast control on my iPhone pictures – but I'm not willing to pay for it – what app do I want?? #photo #
@JasonDomingues @staceydoyle -yea I'm so creative my spelling is creative too. ( that and one handed typing while walking Tweeks it ) #
@jtench have it and it's ok – but it doesn't sharpen or have curves… in reply to jtench #
@JefnJul RT : Most of U R wondering who won the #bowledover – I do know who won TEAM SPIRIT AWARD! http://twitpic.com/xmjjm @shootq #
@kjannfischer enjoyed my day in CLT and now off to Myrtle Beach and Charleston SC in reply to kjannfischer #
"One cannot find love by searching for it. It comes to us unbidden, and we give it to others" – Wax Tailor ♫ http://blip.fm/~j8b3s #
@ladypn @Andylium @saucydelight "You might think i'm crazy…when you flash that fragile smile" ♫ http://blip.fm/~j8bex #
@JefnJul http://twitpic.com/xmjjm – There's too much orange cast to be nominated for style :p #
@stevebebb coming from the man with only 15 tweets? "everyone go follow @jenbebb if you aren't already." (look at my wife *snicker*) in reply to stevebebb #
@JefnJul – ah, yea, get that one by the PPA judges ………….. *snicker* in reply to JefnJul #
Who's using their iPhone on TMobile – reviews? I'm considering it… #
@sarafrance where's the people….human interest…. in reply to sarafrance #
How many months should I spend in New Zealand this year? 1-6?????? #
@danesanders AWWWWwwww too cute, add it to the family memories in reply to danesanders #
ugh – I'd be on the road if it weren't for the slow sync of my iPhone – any way to NOT backup before sync? #
@ChuckArlund you're welcome to come….shooting a book project for my brother……tourists buy books! in reply to ChuckArlund #
@livingsexuality shooting a book project with my Brother who lives there. in reply to livingsexuality #
Just about the only car on the road headed to Myrtle Beach #
Group Buy, 1% off for each RT of this message today only (up to 40%). No better time to pick-up @WedPick #
Win a new Canon 5DMKII or $2700 of photo printing/product from @WHCCPro & @ScottBourne Pls RT. Info: http://bit.ly/6Mtx9I (via @wedpick) #
Win a new Canon 5DMKII or $2700 of photo printing/product from @WHCCPro & Scott Bourne. Pls RT. Info: http://bit.ly/6Mtx9I #
@Lisawalsh thanks for that hidden time saver trick in reply to Lisawalsh #
@mitzieIpock005 thanks for that time saver trick with the iPhone in reply to mitzieIpock005 #
@carolineghetes thanks for the #FF suggestion – maybe we should catch sushi next week? in reply to carolineghetes #
Taking Eben to Friendly's for his Birthday dinner – He's eying the Jim Dandy, I'm hoping for the Mocha Java Lava Cake ummmmm #desert #
@davidmolnar sure thing foodie – great dinner the other night – see ya round the world somewhere……… in reply to davidmolnar #
@laurenhillary – and the question is 'where' did LaChapelle sign you? in reply to laurenhillary #
@LifeMoments thanks for the follow back, if I can find time to spend in BC this year, I'll say hi; but NZ is calling pretty hard in reply to LifeMoments #

Weekly tweets by Neil Cowley

Neil January 10th, 2010

Why do tears burn they eyes they come from? #
AAAAhhhhhhhhh and hour soak in Dr. Bronner's Magicial All in One and I'm closer to god and have peppermint fairies dancing all over my skin #
@liliaphoto Energizers with 2400mAh – I get em at walmart in reply to liliaphoto #
@kellyniemann muslims, oh no – I thought they were good ole fashioned hippies! in reply to kellyniemann #
@CLTdining WOW – Doctor Bronners really does have a following, I thought I was the only hippy freak who found it in reply to CLTdining #
@CLTdining Nice, I found it in mid 90's when I was living in the wilderness and needed biodegradable soap, fun for lake and stream baths! in reply to CLTdining #
Anyone in Charlotte know where I can get 7-8 ft lengths of 1-2 inch diameter bamboo? #
I'm sloth'ing out according to @staceydoyle – watching captan america on hulu and quint up naked gun 2.5 with some Gila Monster #
@samanthapotion oh stop the whining, I was in -10 degrees F. yesterday, forget your skin – your sinuses freeze solid, NC is heavenly!! in reply to samanthapotion #
@samanthapotion yea, except it's not funny when it happens to you! hahaahhhha now you've got me giggling in reply to samanthapotion #
2/365 – finishing #photo #flickr #portrait #
Just uploaded http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelovereal/4247679493/ to my 365 set on #flickr #
Call for portrait subjects at the DWF convention: http://bit.ly/85WoQC @DWF_Forum – Mind Like Water fine art portraits http://bit.ly/3xjTBr #
@darkeyedgazelle thanks for the folllow #
@lightsourcecom – the sync from Alien Bees : http://bit.ly/WIVJ5 in reply to lightsourcecom #
show me slowly what I only know the limits of ♫ http://blip.fm/~irlmy #
Just uploaded http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelovereal/4249597849/ to my 365 set on #flickr #
@BeautyEditorNYC check out http://makelovereal.net/t/vintage/ for my take on what you're looking for in reply to BeautyEditorNYC #
@planningforever I'm at 61.7 days and I don't think that's including podcasts – fun little feature isn't it in reply to planningforever #
RT @pritheworld HaBanot Nechama http://bit.ly/6EOzSv <—– check out this amazing Israeli folk artists – ethreal music!!! #
Red Curry at the Thai Noodle House – eating alone cause none of my friends can handle the pure heat in the dishes
http://bit.ly/4H6gTO #
Looking at wedding blogs- heavily posed B&G, graphically strong, and ZEEERO emotion in subjects' faces. Why bother? (via @tiltnshift) #
Aren't people suppsed to gain weight over the holidays? 32 doesn't stick to my waist any longer – I have to go a size down. Uuugh #
The last breakfast before leaving town is always weak. No cheese for the eggs and no orange juice #
Busting a gut over Garrison's take on underwear bombs #
You're coming to me from outer-space, How could beauty be so kind, to an ordinary guy ♫ http://blip.fm/~iycqb #
Just uploaded 1 new photo to my Flickr "365" photoset: http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelovereal/sets/72157623125733262 #
packing for #imagingUSA #
a good night for me, playing on loop! ♫ http://blip.fm/~iynwk #
On the road again in the glorius north carolina sunshine headed to nashvile for #imagingusa and #DWF on I-40 #
Any good hiking trail tips for Pisgah national forest? #

Weekly tweets by Neil Cowley

Neil January 3rd, 2010

Being pulled behind a 4 wheeler on a tobogin in 18 degree temps with a 0 degree windchill – burrrrrr – just call me snowbeard #
Teaching Eben knot tying: square knot, slip, bowline, double half hitch, and clove hitch. #
Eben just started a one match fire practice for Deerfoot campcraft practice #
Amazing sparkles all around from a fresh hoar frost. I have no clue where the humidity came from. #
Four layers of ffffleeece and out we go into the snow. #
vintage film grain layer – Vintage Multiple Choice photoshop stylizing action http://flic.kr/p/66dhW6 #
Gritty & Grungy Lightroom Preset free download for Lightroom 2 from http://www.MakeLightReal.com http://flic.kr/p/5imqkT #
My pyro side comes out while stuffing branches into a twenty foot bonfire – BWAAAAAHAHA – growing up on the farm rocks #
Any of my photo-friends in Nashville want to have a houseguest for Imaging? #
@liesldiesel – seriously, that was hilarious, we were cracking up but trying not to provoke her to Ludicrous speed! #
New interestingness on my site:: http://makelovereal.net/2160/ #
Huge pink moon rising over the horizon. Blue moon on new years eve with partial eclipse. You decide what that omen means!! #
Any of my photo-friends in Nashville want to have a houseguest for Imaging? #imagingusa #
From Light to dark tutorial brings a high key image to low key in LAB colorspace using textures #photoshop #tutorial http://flic.kr/p/5Gbg2p #
83 minute wait time on the US Airways 1800 number!! YUCK!! #
2/365 – finishing #photo #flickr #portrait #
-9 farenheight and we're off to the airport. #

Concerning all acts of creation

Neil December 30th, 2009

“Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth –

that the moment one definately commits oneself, then, Providence moves, too.”

–Van Goethe

(thanks to Amy Deputy for the card)

Comments(0)
Creativity , Inspiration , Motivation , Philosophy , Quotes

A snow based photoshop toning tutorial

Neil December 29th, 2009

View finished images on Flickr

The Secret of KJ’s Processing!

Comments(1)
Creativity , Curves Power , How To: , Photoshop Retouching

Weekly tweets by Neil Cowley

Neil December 27th, 2009

Amtrak has let two trains with open seats pass me by. Still waiting for a regional train to come north while Acela routes are on time. #
People need the cover of another perfect wonder where it's so white as snow. Verily divided by a world so undecided and these no where to go #
Every American that thinks we shoudl have Federal healthcare needs to rely on Amtrak for their transportation and see if they like it. #
Happy solstice to everyone and welcome to the sundown of the year. #
Cheers to rhe Senator from Nevada on the floor! #
Carolina sun – thank you for welcoming me back!! I missed you. #
Yea for Rea rd exit #
@jtench riding on amtrak is better than driving alone in my opinion – just saying that's where we're going in reply to jtench #
Bequeath your heart, for you've no need for two. Having given you mine, without the reciprocal, I fear death comes for my soul. #
Eben and Tia are earning their Airport Delay Merit Badge today – I'm already an Eagle Scout #

The moment one definitely commits oneself

Neil December 20th, 2009

“Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth — that the moment one definately commits oneself, then, Providence moves, too.”

–Van Goethe

Weekly tweets by Neil Cowley

Neil December 20th, 2009

Just uploaded 7 new photos to my Facebook "Portrait photography" album: http://bit.ly/8p4DiB @staceydoyle #
New interestingness on my site:: A photographer under the lens http://makelovereal.net/providence-ri-headshots/ #photographer #portraits #
@kelliekano coolness, yea, I don't have that problem with my NINJA skills you looked fab dodging to the side as the bride came out!! in reply to kelliekano #
Providence RI artistic headshot photographer – Hope Artiste Village portraits http://flic.kr/p/7nDSxM #
My most popular photo on Flickr yesterday was a free highres texture download: Beautiful Blurs Disk 2 Free Sample! http://flic.kr/p/5Vfm3K #
merry christmas with a little street to your jingle – bells! ♫ http://blip.fm/~hteqn #
@CoquettishCook – try FeX for facebook phone number and cool tricks… in reply to CoquettishCook #
FS Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens Canon Mount perfect condition $600 shipped http://bit.ly/6S60mD #
@DJstromer19: "U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" what a happy sound – more classic B+W film footage!! ♫ http://blip.fm/~hv7eg #
Eben's quote tonight after new glasses, "I feel like I'm in front of myself! Everything looks so amazing, like I'm already in the future!" #
Win a new Canon 5DMKII or $2700 of photo printing/product from @WHCCPro & Scott Bourne. Pls RT. Info: http://bit.ly/6Mtx9I #
Well, I've been afraid of changing cause i've-Built my life around you-But time makes you bolder-Even children … ♫ http://blip.fm/~hxbyt #
@StasiaBoots blast it at the crossfit and enjoy the sleep of the weary in reply to StasiaBoots #
@AdelaideDamoah RT:#artquotes: Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. Monet [thanks for the follow!!] in reply to AdelaideDamoah #
@PicSeshu trade ya a lens for the strobes? 15mm fisheye? in reply to PicSeshu #
@dqstudios nice – I got Eben Airsoft guns last chirstmas, a real blast!!! in reply to dqstudios #
@PicSeshu canon in reply to PicSeshu #
New interestingness on my site:: Flickr: Your Photostream http://makelovereal.net/flickr-your-photostream/ #
@PicSeshu (snicker) I know, your loss about the whole N situation, if you want that sigma @staceydoyle has one she's letting go of in reply to PicSeshu #
A warm cup of mint tea, tingly lips from Burts bees and sharing tears over freedom and success with Amy #
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, the moment one Definately Commits Oneself, then, Providence moves too. –VanGoethe #
@designaglow thanks for the giveaway, you're always the pinnacle of creative ideas realized in dollars+centable ways!!! in reply to designaglow #
entered the Samsung Mobile Be a Winner Giveaway. Samsung is giving away a Behold II every hour and a TV every day! http://bit.ly/1STXVR #
@zarias http://twitpic.com/u16bz – groovy man! #
@ChristyPenn posted this http://yfrog.com/4a109pj on #yfrog and I rated it 5 / 5 stars. #
Live sketch artist covering this artists wedding. I don't know if we can compete!?! #