Marli Miller

Who is she ?

Marli Miller is an American photographer who specialises in geological photography, she has extensive experience in rock formations and landscapes, her images focus in on geological structures and their processes over time. Miller’s photos are widely available on the internes for free and are mostly used for educational purposes.

She studied at Colorado collage and earned her bachelor’s degree here in 1982, Miller then went on to complete an M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Washington for structural geology in 1987 and 1992. Nowadays, she is a senior instructor and professor for Earth Sciences and the University of Oregon.

Marli Miller has authored and co-authored many influential geology books like ‘Roadside Geology of Oregon’ and ‘Roadside Geology of Washington’.

Examples of her work

Why did I decide to study her ?

I decided to study Marli Miller because her photos are really interesting and they are something I would like to try and copy. Furthermore I think that she would fit really well with my theme of Geology.

How am I going to replicate her work ?

I will attempt to replicate her landscape and geology work by going to different costal areas around Jersey to take some similar photos.

Some ideas around Jersey

Image analysis

Technical – This image has clearly been taken with natural light and has a good mix of under and properly exposed areas. This image will have likely been shot on a small aperture, something like f/8 or upwards, this is evident because everything is sharp and in focus. Moreover the shutter speed will have likely been something like 1/200 or 1/300, this is most likely because there is no motion blur in the image but there is also plenty of light in the image so it can’t have been much higher. There is no apparent grain in this image, so the ISO will have likely been 100-400.

Visual – This image depicts sand dunes in a desert environment. There is no vegetation or signs of human life, this shows a fully geological landscape, furthermore this image was most likely shot during golden hour (early morning or late evening). This is apparent because of the vibrant, warm colour, the shadow size and the grazing light. Because of how low the sun is in the sky, there is a very high contrast between the light and dark in this image, this image, however, is properly exposed and has a great dynamic range. This image mostly follows the rule of thirds as the sky and crest of the hill is in the top third, the main subject of the hill is in the middle third and the foreground is in the bottom third. Furthermore The vertical and diagonal hill crests act as leading lines that draw the views eye to the top of the hill.

Contextual/ Conceptual – This photo was taken for educational use on the formation of sand dunes at the University of Oregon.

The word “origin” refers to the point which something begins, its source or starting place.

Origins Moodboard

My Moodboard

Vanitas Research- context

Vanitas is a still-life art style that developed in the 17th century Dutch Golden Age. The word Vanitas comes from the Latin phrase “Vanitas vanitatum“ meaning “vanity of vanities, all is meaningless.” ​

These artworks were designed to communicate the temporary nature of life and the inevitability of death, often using symbolic objects. 

Common Symbolic Objects

• Skull= Mortality
• Candles burning= Ending of life
• Rotten Fruit= Decay
• Books/Instruments/Dice= Temporary Pleasures
• Wilting Flowers= Beauty fading
• Clocks/hourglasses= Time Passing

How it links to Origin

Vanitas imagery conceptually links to my theme Origins as it explores themes of life and death and the cycle of beginning and ending. Vanitas traditionally focuses on mortality but the focus on death also implies that everything has a starting point.​

By analysing Vanitas imagery, I am exploring how objects and living things develop from an origin, change over time, and eventually decline. Which emphasises the relationship between origin, existence, and deterioration. 

The word Origin means the position or place where something or someone comes from, it can also refer to someone’s ethnicity or background.

I would like to explore Jersey’s archaeological and geological side.

Ideas

Nature and life beginnings

• Seed to plant
• Seeds planted in soil at different stages (seed → sprout → plant).
• Macro photos of germinating seeds.
• A hand planting seeds in soil.
• Concept: Life starting small and developing over time.
• New life in animals
• Baby animals like chicks, lambs, or ducklings.
• Birds building nests or eggs in nests.
• Insects emerging from cocoons.
• Concept: Birth and early development in nature.
• Spring season as beginning
• Budding flowers and blossoms.
• Fresh green leaves on trees.
• Bees pollinating flowers.
• Concept: Nature restarting after winter.
• Water as the source of life
• Rain droplets on leaves.
• Streams or rivers where plants grow.
• Puddles reflecting sunlight and plants.
  • Concept: Life beginning and surviving through water.
• Roots and foundations
• Exposed tree roots.
• Plants growing through cracks in pavement.
• Soil textures with small plants emerging.
• Concept: Strong foundations supporting growth.
• Cycles of life
• Flower blooming then wilting.
• Leaves growing then falling.
• Mushrooms growing from decaying wood.
• Concept: Life cycle.
• Light and growth
• Light shining through leaves.
• Plants growing toward a window.
• Silhouettes of plants against sunrise.
• Concept: Photosynthesis.

Human origins

• Evolution of humans
• Create a staged sequence of a person moving from a crouched “primitive” pose to upright modern posture.
• Photograph bones, skull shapes, or skeleton models.
• Silhouettes showing the evolution progression.
• Concept: Theory of Evolution.
• Birth and early life
• Babies or young children (with permission).
• Hands of a parent holding a baby’s hand.
• Close-ups of footprints or tiny shoes.
• Concept: The beginning of an individual human journey.
• Generations
• Portraits of grandparents, parents, and children together.
• Close-ups comparing hands of different ages.
• Family heirlooms representing heritage.
• Concept: Human origin through family lineage.
• Human connection to nature
• People walking barefoot on natural ground.
• Hands touching soil or plants.
• Silhouettes of people in natural landscapes.
• Concept: Humans originating from and evolving with the natural world.
• Cultural Origins
• Cultural clothing or traditional practices.
• Food preparation passed through generations.
• Portraits showing heritage and identity.
• Concept: Origins of human culture and identity.
• Ancient Human Origins
• Photograph caves, rocks, or ancient-looking landscapes.
• Create staged images inspired by early human life.
• Use body paint or shadows to create primitive imagery.
• Concept: Homo sapiens.

Cultural origins

• Traditional Clothing
• Portraits of people wearing traditional outfits.
• Close-ups of fabric patterns, embroidery, or jewellery.
• Compare traditional clothing with modern fashion.
• Concept: How culture is preserved or adapted over time.
• Food and Cultural Identity
• Traditional meals being prepared.
• Hands cooking family recipes.
• Ingredients arranged in a still-life composition.
• Concept: Food showing where cultures come from and how traditions continue.
• Generations and Heritage
• Portraits of grandparents, parents, and children.
• Family heirlooms or objects with cultural meaning.
• Old photographs next to new portraits.
• Concept: Cultural knowledge being passed down over time.
• Religious Origins
• Places of worship (churches, temples, mosques).
• Religious objects or symbols.
• Light entering through stained glass.
• Concept: How religion shapes cultural beginnings.
• Cultural Festivals
• Decorations, costumes, or celebrations.
• People gathering for events.
• Cultural dance or music.
• Concept: Celebrating cultural identity and history.
• Language and Symbols
• Signs or handwritten scripts.
• Books or historical texts.
• Street art or cultural symbols.
• Concept: Language as the foundation of culture.
• Architecture and Cultural Identity
• Traditional houses or historical buildings.
• Cultural design patterns in architecture.
• Old structures next to modern ones.
• Concept: Architecture showing how cultures developed over time.

Human evolution

• Evolution of the human body
• Portrait series showing different ages (child → adult → elderly).
• Close-ups of hands, wrinkles, scars, muscles to show physical change.
• Athletes vs sedentary lifestyles to show modern adaptation.
• Concept: Show the physical timeline of human life.
• Technology and human evolution
• People interacting with phones, laptops, VR, gaming.
• Contrast primitive tools vs modern technology.
• A sequence showing a person evolving from book reading → smartphone dependence.
• Concept: Humans evolving with machines.
• Primitive to modern
• Caveman-style imagery vs modern humans in cities.
• Primitive survival actions (fire, hunting tools) contrasted with modern convenience.
• Evolution sequence: crouched figure → upright → modern posture with phone.
• Concept: Theory of Evolution.
• Cultural evolution
• Clothing styles across generations.
• Hairstyles or makeup trends.
• Cultural identity and diversity.
• Concept: Humans evolving socially and culturally.
• Urban evolution
• Old buildings next to modern architecture.
• Crowded public transport vs empty natural landscapes.
• Humans appearing small in large urban environments.
• Concept: Humans adapting to modern environments.
• Human vs nature
• People surrounded by concrete vs people in forests.
• Hands touching plants vs hands holding phones.
• Pollution or environmental impact.
• Concept: Evolution causing separation from nature.
• Digital evolution
• Portraits lit by screens.
• Glitch edits to make people look “digital”.
• Reflections of faces in devices.
• Concept: Humans evolving into a technology-dependent species.
• Future human evolution
• Cyborg or robotic themes.
• Humans merged with machines.
• AI and augmented humans.
• Concept: Where human evolution might lead.

Creative symbolism of origins

• Seeds as the origin of life
• A seed sprouting in soil (macro photography).
• Seeds in a hand to symbolize human control over nature.
• A plant growing through cracked concrete.
• Concept: Small beginnings that lead to growth.
• Light emerging from darkness
• A person emerging from shadow into light.
• Light rays through a window in a dark room.
• Light shining through hands or objects.
• Concept: The origin of knowledge, life, or hope.
• Water as the beginning
• Ripples forming in still water.
• Water droplets creating circles.
• Reflections symbolizing new perspectives.
• Concept: Life beginning from a single drop or ripple.
• Roots
• Tree roots exposed in soil.
• Roots breaking through the ground.
• Hands placed in soil to mimic roots.
• Concept: Where everything begins beneath the surface.
• Eggs/ birth
• Cracked egg shells.
• Eggs arranged in patterns.
• Light shining through eggshell fragments.
• Concept: The moment before life begins.
• Life cycles
• Circular objects (rings, clocks, spirals).
• A path or road that loops.
• Natural spirals like shells.
• Concept: Origins as part of a continuous cycle.
• Hands as creation
• Hands shaping clay.
• Hands holding soil or water.
• Hands releasing something (seeds, sand).
• Humans as creators and originators.
• Broken objects becoming something new
• Broken pottery being repaired.
• Melted wax forming new shapes.
• Burned paper revealing something underneath.
• Concept: Endings can create new beginnings.

Scientific

• Origin of life
• Macro photography of cells, bacteria cultures, or mould growth.
• Water droplets containing tiny life (pond water).
• Petri-dish style experiments with colours and textures.
• Concept: origin of life from non living matter.
• Evolution and adaptation
• Different animal or plant species showing variation.
• Close-ups of leaves, insects, shells, or bones.
• Fossil-like textures or stones resembling ancient life.
• Concept: Life evolving from simple to complex forms.
• Cosmic origins
• Night sky photography with stars and long exposures.
• Light painting to imitate galaxies or nebulae.
• Ink or paint swirling in water to resemble cosmic formations.
• Concept: Big Bang.
• Chemical reactions
• Oil and water experiments forming shapes.
• Crystals forming in liquids.
• Chemical colour reactions.
• Concept: The origin of complex structures from simple chemicals.
• Patterns in nature
• Spiral shells
• Leaf veins
• Snowflake or frost patterns
• Concept: Natural patterns showing the mathematical origins of structure.
• Growth and development
• Plant growing from seed.
• Mold or fungus growing on food.
• Ice melting and reforming.
• Concept: Science explaining how life develops step by step.
• Microscopic worlds
• Extreme close-ups of fabric fibres, sand grains, or skin.
• Water droplets magnifying surfaces.
• Macro shots revealing tiny textures.
• Concept: Origins happening at microscopic levels invisible to the naked eye.

Moodboard

The definition of Origin: the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived.

Origin can be perceived as multiple different things, however as my interpretation of origin is aiming to be looking back along my family history and look at my own origin.

Another idea might be looking back and finding out the history and heritage behind important structures such as my house

Mood board

In class in a group of three of us we went through different ideas and created a mind map which helped us all start to develop our ideas and create different aspects and perspectives of the word.

Planning my photoshoot over half term

Beforehand, I would like to conduct some research to get a deeper understanding of my own origin.

I have found old records of my ancestors from their experiences in the war and also where they lived and how they make up me today. Here below are some of the records of my grandfather when we has at school:

In the bottom left my grandads name is visible from when he went to the school Victoria College. These records shows that he attended the school and also that he was sports captain and also part of the first XI for Cricket.

During half term I am aiming to get a photoshoot done that is tailored to not just him but his parents as well. From my own research as well i have found the old house that he used to live at and also the graveyard of which his parents are buried and where he is planned to be buried.

In St Clements Graveyard, both my Great grandparents are buried and i would like to visit this plot to look more into the heritage and the connection between my family that is the reason i am here today,

What would I like to achieve during this photoshoot?

During this photoshoot my main aim is to capture the essence of how their life was and how that has had a direct impact on who i am and also how im not just directly connected to one of these people but more how i have a little piece of all of them together which makes me different to how they were but also so closely related.

Aiming to capture images of old houses that they stayed in and graveyards also hoping to feature registration cards and those who i cannot photography hopefully aiming to obtain information of them that I can turn into a small paragraph to hopefully look into sitting next to the image when displaying it and telling more of a story