SCW: Name? Hometown? Currently reside?
LM: Lance Miller – Santa Cruz Ca – East side, 24th Ave
SCW: Years shooting?
LM: 15 +
SCW: Current equipment?
LM: Canon D 5 mark 2 Canon D 7 mark 2 – Canon 400 mm prime 4.5 – Tamron 500 mm 5.6 – Canon 70 – 200 mm Prime 2.8 – 10 mm prime 2.8 17 to 24 mm prime . 50 mm 1.8 prime . My wife Julie and I call ourselves the “Canon Couple.”
SCW: Ok, enough with standard intro questions; give us your most memorable photo experience.
LM: Besides loving to shoot surfing and lifestyle images, I am an avid Lava Junkie. Seventy-two trips to Hawaii the Big Island so far. My most memorable photo experience? Standing next to a 20 foot Lava Cascade and asking for a rainbow to come out this is what happened http://photos.jlphotographydesign.com/LanceJMillerPhotography/New-Lava-Gallery/i-fQGK6GD/0/L/haw01-2120-L.jpg http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000253512017
SCW: Unreal! I would imagine the danger elimiment gets bumped up a notch getting that close the lava fields huh?
LM: Ya, but I love the excitement & danger. Here’s a recent surf image I did for Andre Genovesi, called “Into the liquid.” http://photos.jlphotographydesign.com/LanceJMillerPhotography/The-Good-Swell-Surf-Art/i-V2zqNXv/0/L/20120219999952tonemapped-L.jpg
SCW: With the introduction of digital and so many people dabbling in photography, how do you stay ahead or the curve or stand out from the rest?
LM: I’m experimenting all the time with new techniques and lighting. Photography is a learning profession until the day you step away from it – like i ever will. My wife Julia is a Lightroom Photoshop expert. She works as the head graphics art designer at Liquid Agency in San Jose – I learn so much from her everyday.
SCW: You recently captured some amazing full moon images over the SC Harbor… What are some of your favorite places or things to shoot in this area?
LM: Our beaches north and south are almost untouched photographically. Big Sur, Point Lobos, Westcliff & Steamer Lane, Monarch butterfly clusters…this area is a photographic wonderland, not to mention the world class surf. I shoot a lot in the early morning, which is my favorite time to be out.
SCW: Dream trip anywhere in the world?
LM: Being wildlife nuts – Alaska would be cool. Costa Rica next Year. Tibet & Napel would be on the list.
SCW: How can photography change the world?
LM: The power of the still image is stronger then ever. The ability of a simple capture to tell a story – the inability to hide the truth – as the whole world sees it as it happens and unfolds in front of them.
SCW: So true. Thank you for your time, Lance! Any last words or shout outs?
LM: It’s my passion. I have to shoot everyday or I just don’t feel right. I think you are similar to me in how much we enjoy shooting pictures. A shout out my wife Julia who is a master photographer, my best friend, and the love of my life; who teaches me to be better person everyday. A shout and kudos to Danny Keith – the man’s a one class act and gift to the community.
