Bio: Crystal Miller

© Crystal Miller

Born in Palatine, Illinois; suburbia. I am currently living in Franksville, Wisconsin; the boonies. I have one younger brother, he’s a pain, as well as a stepmother, she’s a blessing, which I assume balance out. To put it simply food equals yum. Inspired by, well, everything. Movies, music, art obviously, life in general, positives and negatives in each respect are a huge influence on how I see the world and how I present it in my work. I think learning never ends, yet I want to learn it all. When referring to tough times in the workplace and out of it, just remember that when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Basically, I Love photography.

© Crystal Miller

When starting to shoot for this project I realized that thinking about water also made me think about oxygen and how they work hand in hand with each other. I decided to shoot my "musician" in a calm place that is alive with both water and oxygen. I wanted the cover to be more relaxing, so one could take in the place. This lake is a place I like to come and just be next to, letting myself unwind and that ultimately is the feeling I wanted to get out of the cover. At the same time I wanted to promote my "musician" and his more laid back style with the choice of clothing and the way he connects with the place through body-language mostly.

Great Shot: Schwarm

Distant Fires in Chase County, Kansas - 2006 © Larry Schwarm

Larry Schwarm has engulfed my senses. His work is beautiful. When I saw Schwarm's work for the first time, the intensity of the color in his images was astounding. I enjoy the play between the utter simplicity in many of his fire/ landscapes with the powerful surge of emotion that fills the viewer brought out by the deep colors throughout the images. As artists it is our job to express the emotion for those who can't during times in need. Every year wild fires spread across our plains, force people to abandon their homes, and in the end kill some. There is a great beauty that comes out of fire as there is great destruction; I believe that Larry Schwarm has found that balance in this body of work.

More work by Larry Schwarm can be found at http://www.larryschwarm.com/.

Untitled © Crystal Miller

This work was taken during a summer photography class. I found while shooting that the connection between the person in the photograph and the viewer of the photograph truly interests me. Although most viewers of this image do not know this young boy, he truly entrances you. Over the summer I worked a lot more commercially in hopes to build up my portfolio for some future jobs. However, the experience was enlightening for me. I want to try and merge my commercial work with my fine art. Maybe I am interested in the relationship that is created while photographing a person that at first is a stranger, but ultimately the experience is something fairly new to me and exciting.