Name: Dice-k Maruyama
Home Town: Nagano, Japan
Home Base: Sea to Sky, BC
Home Page: www.dicekmaru.com / dicekmaru.blogspot.com
Sponsors: IS Eyewear, Cheetar Factory Racing, NoBoard and F-Stop
Favorite subject: Capturing Unbelievable Human Beings
Recent Projects: IS Eyewear ad and catalog, Camp of Champions' panoramic promotion poster, Columbia Sportswear's ad, Capita Snowboards' ad, Lib Tech Snowboards' ad, Vivo Headwear's ad and catalog, submissions to snowboard magazines and a couple of veiled things that always happening.
Do you remember when you realized photography was more than a point and shoot camera?
I didn't realize that until quite recently. I had been always chasing quality and missing the heart of photography. I am still learning tons and still in a process to find my way of photography philosophy.
What was your first camera? And what is your current?
Konica C35 was bought by mom when I was 15. My actual first purchased camera was Nikon FM2 + 60mm. Now I am with Canon and Hassy.
What has photography done to your life?
Changed my whole life. I wasn't even interested in photography until I was 20.
As a career photography has let you see much of the world. Where are the places you wish to return or are most memorable?
I wish to return to Hawaii and Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I would like to go back to all of the place in BC and AK. Memorable places are Tasman Glacier in New Zealand, Stewart in BC, Valdez in AK, Hokkaido in Japan.
Being an action sport photographer, one would generally assume you also play the games you shoot. What are your favorite sports to do with out a camera bag on your back?
Definitely noboarding, snowmobiling and surfing!
Who or what do you look to find inspiration in?
Inspiration pops up from everywhere. There are so many photographers who take great photos. Generally I like skate photographers. So many of them are very creative. I am a fan of Sterling Lorence's photos too. If I have to name my fave photographers' name, they would be David Burdeny, Mark Seliger and Wayne Levin.
Life behind a lens means being witness to the best and the worst. Please let us know an experience from each.
Best: Sharing happiness and pleasure with heros
Worst: Sometimes facing threatening danger in front of me
What would you say to a young shooter with who dreams of traveling the world taking photos of the elite athletes in our sports?
Don't do it man! It will change your life. If you want to get paid regularly, do something else. If you decide to risk your life, commit to it. Also do not forget that you will get knocked out or down pretty easily by someone or by yourself. Focus on what you love and what you want to love. Don't be cheap! Everything is you.
Tell us one over looked lesson you have learned in the photo business.
Photography is a life time work and it's exactly life itself. Sometimes you have to charge it and sometimes you have to lay back. I have to mention one more thing that would be "do not focus on learning skills and better camera equipment".
