© Lisa Miller

Meet La Jolla based fine-art photographer and APA member, Lisa Miller. Lisa’s work employs tone and shadow to distill complex details to their essence.

What 3 words best describe your photography style? 
Precise, nostalgic, moody.

What inspires you? 
I am inspired by other photographs. I enjoy looking at the works of famous photographers from the past as well as images I see in current media. The beauty of the natural world is a constant inspiration. While in Iceland recently, I was overwhelmed by its simplicity and magnificence.

What’s your favorite thing about being a photographic artist?
I think photography makes you look at the world more closely. It makes you more attentive to your surroundings as you see compositions, patterns of light, interesting people or chance juxtapositions.

When you aren’t making photographs, what other pastimes do you have?
I enjoy cycling, walking, travel, reading, visiting museums, and working with underserved teens through my Rotary club.

Who have been your biggest influences?
Artists such as Rembrandt, Salgado, Kertész and Sam Abell. I took one of Sam’s workshops in the late ’90s. Recently I attended another one. It was fun to see him again and learn from him after all these years.

What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out? 
Shoot what you like. You don’t have to pigeon-hole yourself or stick to a niche. I love still life photography, but the advice has encouraged me to pursue street photography and landscapes, which I also enjoy.

What have been some of the highlights and challenges of your career so far?
I have enjoyed having my work displayed in galleries and in international contests. Another highlight has been the opportunity to meet and interact with people involved in photography. They’ve provided different perspectives and insights that I’ve learned from. I find it challenging when my work is evaluated within certain paradigms. I have decided to make photographs that I like, even if they “break the rules.” 

What were you doing before you became a photographer?
I was a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

If you weren’t a Photographer, what would you be doing?
I am retired so I would probably be doing something else I really enjoy.

What do you do when you get stuck?
If I get stuck processing a certain image, I move on to another one or take a break. I think I’m fortunate that I don’t have to produce work under a deadline or for a certain customer. It allows me to be creative and make something I like.

What is your best advice for your peers?
Make images that appeal to you. Also, seek out critiques of your images and don’t be too sensitive about criticism. If you don’t like what a judge said, reconsider it a few days later. Most people are just trying to help and if you are too sensitive, you likely won’t improve as quickly as you could. Set goals for yourself. That keeps you striving to improve.

What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back 10 years? 20 years?
Take more time off to enjoy photography.

What is a photographer’s role now that technology has made it so much more accessible to the masses? 
Photographers can teach the public the principles of how to “read” a photograph. While any given photograph may appeal to someone, there are basic principles that make a “good” photograph, whether it be composition, storytelling, etc. The more the public understands these principles, the more they are likely to enjoy photography and make images that others appreciate.

Check out more work from Lisa Miller.