Historic Moments Captured at the Democratic National Convention
Historic Moments Captured at the Democratic National Convention
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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine celebrate at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIME
History was made yesterday evening at the Democratic National Convention when Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for the U.S. presidency. The campaign trotted out a “procession of character witnesses to testify about the candidate’s strength, kindness and tenacity in an attempt to humanize Clinton,” TIME writes. And photographer Ben Lowy, who has been on assignment for TIME on both political conventions, witnessed it, capturing historic moments of pride and joy.
It followed Day 1 of the DNC where the boos and chants of Bernie Sanders supporters and protesters competed with otherwise optimistic speakers at a gathering that was seemed hardly unified.
Lowy says the space was more energized— in “both good ways and bad,” on that first night.
“The tension was palpable,” says Lowy, who started his career as a conflict photographer. But the line-up of speakers evoked an ardor unmatched by the previous week’s gathering. “When Michelle Obama came in, the floor was electric. When Bernie came out, the crowd exploded. Both in screams and with placards held aloft.”
Lowy most enjoys making portraits of the delegates who, as they watch the speakers, could be from any party in that moment—a face captivated by a speaker. The photographer says he makes every effort to wade through the propaganda and heightened security that comes with high-profile speakers and a smaller space to go beyond the “controlled spectacle and reveal something.”
Lowy is no stranger to covering elections but each four-year cycle reveals itself anew, and by the second week of conventions he says he has refined his approach, which includes implementing the latest technology. “This year I’m using a 360-video camera to document my own experiences as a photographer at the conventions,” he says. “I look like a robot walking around, and I’ve been quite the laughing stock looking like the universal soldier with a bizarre head mount. But I think it gives a really new and unique viewpoint to the conventions.”
Follow @timelightbox on Instagram for the latest photos filed from the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
Ben Lowy is an award winning photojournalist and director. You can see more of his work here.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine celebrate at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEDemocratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is introduced by her daughter Chelsea at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEKaty Perry performs at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEFormer US President Bill Clinton speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEScenes from the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEA screen displays Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaking at the evening session on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ben Lowy for TIMEAn emotional moment on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMESinger-songwriter Alicia Keys performs on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEFormer Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin taught delegates how to say “America” in sign language on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEFirst lady Michelle Obama waves to the crowd before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ben Lowy for TIMEThe crowd cheers for First lady Michelle Obama during her speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ben Lowy for TIMEFirst lady Michelle Obama delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ben Lowy for TIMEA supporter of former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders stands in silent protest during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2016. Ben Lowy for TIMESenator Elizabeth Warren speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEFormer U.S. President Bill Clinton on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEDelgates cheer on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMESen. Bernie Sanders walks onto the stage before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEU.S. Sen. Chuck Shumeron the floor of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, July 25, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMESanders supporters cheer during his speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMESen. Bernie Sanders acknowledges the crowd before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMESanders supporters during his speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEThe back of a Sanders supporter's jacket on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEAn attendee with pro LGBTQ face paint on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMESinger Demi Lovato performs on stage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. Ben Lowy for TIMEFestive attendees on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEBoyz II Men perform during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIMEFlorida delegate Lavon Bracy on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEA supporter of Bernie Sanders on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIMEThe first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ben Lowy for TIME
