The Wizard of Awe

Ken Miller is often referred to on the internet as ‘the smoke guru’. His expertise in manufacturing smoke generators for air shows and other industries has made him a respected pyrotechnicst. However, his journey has been marked by both brilliance and misfortune. Guided by Ken’s knowledge, Kevin Cooley (US) extensively documented his visits to the rural farm, offering a surreal glimpse into Ken’s pyrotechnic world. The story was eventually published as a photo essay in Popular Science. But the publicity proved to be Ken’s undoing, as the article led to an investigation from federal authorities. In the end, Ken was arrested and sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison. The Wizard of Awe is an ode to Ken Miller – a powerful testament to his life’s work as a pyrotechnicst and his subsequent redemption.