As Ben Lowy walks around the convention floor at the Democratic National Convention, he’s stopped every few minutes by delegates and fellow photographers. “What’s that?” they all ask, pointing at his forehead. Mounted onto a headband, Lowy is wearing a device smaller than an iPhone that obscures part of his face.
The apparatus is one of Ricoh’s Theta S cameras, which can record 360-degree videos.
Photographer Ben Lowy with the Ricoh strapped securely to his head.Landon Nordeman for TIME
For the past few days – both at the Republican and the Democratic conventions – Lowy has been capturing the hectic goings of a photographer on the floor of the biggest political events in the country. His goal is to offer a new perspective on the carefully scripted proceedings.
“When you’re covering politics or anything like this, it’s produced, it’s created for consumption,” says Lowy. “It’s the same old things happening, the same balloons, and the [audience] is apathetic. So, how do you get them to start looking?”
The answer, for Lowy, is to show them something new.
Historic Moments Captured at the Democratic National Convention
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
To achieve this, Lowy used two cameras: Google’s Jump rig, which stitches together the footage from 16 camera modules, and Ricoh’s Theta S. “The Theta offers a much lower resolution compared to Google’s Jump,” says Lowy. On the other hand, the Jump requires a 45-pound battery and can be too large for a crowded convention floor. With the Theta—and his customized headband—Lowy has been able to walk around the floor unencumbered and, he says, “I’m included in the footage. We can basically show the perspective of the photographer and include the photographer in the actual image.”
Lowy plans on continuing to use the Theta after the conventions close. “I’m the type of photographer that always tries new things and pushes the envelop in order to better communicate,” he says.
Ben Lowy is an award winning photojournalist and director.
