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Photographer Spotlight: Katherine Fisher Part I
It is that time once again…time to introduce another photographer that I have encountered while on the computer. Usually, these are photographers that I have come across on my own, sometimes they are recommended by readers of Photo Trek. This month is a bit different in that I am able to feature somebody that was listed as an important influence to another photographer that I have spotlighted. You may remember my last Photographer Spotlight article where I introduced Martha from Perceptions. She credited another photographer known around these parts as Kat as having a large influence on her own photography. Being the thorough writer that I am (no laughing please), I visited Kat’s journal, and her online gallery. I discovered a very talented photographer within these pages. So, without any further ado, I would like to introduce Katherine Fisher, otherwise known as Kat.
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
Born and raised in Southern Indiana, Kat actually spent most of her adult life in Eastern Pennsylvania. Seven months ago, she and her family made the move to Long Island, NY, where she now hangs her hat. She is a wife and a mother to three children. There are her two daughters ages 20 and 17, as well as a son who is 13.
In addition to her interests in sewing and the textile arts, Kat has a deep rooted appreciation for the environment and varying aspects of nature that began in her childhood. Her educational background is actually in environmental science which probably stemmed from her time spent with the Girl Scouts. While in the Scouts, Kat spent her summers at camp, as well as at her family’s lakeside cottage. I’m sure that this exposure to the natural world that surrounds us played an integral part in her passion for photography.
As an adult, Kat continued her love affair with the outdoors by hiking and camping (oh man, I can’t wait till I get to go again!). With her recent move to NY, she is looking forward to learning more about the flora and fauna of the coastal and marsh environments. Part of the fun of photography is the constant exploration and scouting of new locations to photograph. So the question has to be asked…at what point did Kat decide that she wanted to take the art of photography seriously?
Actually, Kat can’t remember a time when she wasn’t interested in photography. She recalls her Father purchasing a Nikon SLR with a long zoom. This reminds me quite a bit of one of the reasons I became interested in photography…the gear is just so cool, and it was my Dad’s Konica SLR that fascinated me so much as well. It was the view through the viewfinder of her Dad’s Nikon that Kat found a different way of looking at the world. The camera actually helped her take notice of nature, and she became interested in landscape photography. Her interest was furthered as she read through the Sierra Club books which were popular in the 1970’s. The purpose of these readings wasn’t for photography though; it was to serve as inspiration for poetry relating to the environment while she was still in the Scouts. It was the images she saw that ended up touching her much more deeply than she could express in words.
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
In 1979 Kat started on her photographic adventures in earnest with her first SLR camera…the Canon AE1. This was actually a college graduation gift, which has literally turned into a gift that has kept on giving. While the cost of processing the film hampered her creativity, it was this “gift” that gave Kat a creative outlet that she was to enjoy for years on and off again. It was unfortunately the cost of the processing that kept her from really getting involved with photography the way she wanted to. She would find herself getting discouraged when she would shoot a roll or two of film only to have one or two interesting shots. I imagine any of us that started with film photography can understand her frustration. Kat knew that to be as good as she wanted to be, practice was essential, but she had a very difficult time justifying the expense of that “practice”. Digital changed all of that, she was finally able to get all the practice she could stand while spending very little per shot.
Kat has traded in her Canon AE1 on some quality Nikon digital SLR cameras. A self-proclaimed “Nikon Girl”, Kat carries a Nikon D70 and D200. She actually keeps both of these cameras ready to use in the field, one with a wide angle lens, and one with a telephoto. She also keeps a prime macro close at hand as well. By keeping her two primary lenses mounted on bodies, she avoids having to switch lenses between shots which is a great method to be sure. It also keeps dirt out of the body as well.
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
Kat prefers to photograph subjects in nature, especially using macro techniques. It is the details of nature that truly fascinate her…the same aspects that many of us walk by every day without giving a second glance. It is the sense of discovery in macro photography that provides Kat with those “WOW…look at that” moments she treasures.
In addition to macro, Kat has started trying to capture the feelings associated with wabi sabi, which as it turns out is something that she has been doing in her photography all along. For those (like me) that are unsure of what wabi sabi is, Wikipedia defines it as…"Wabi now connotes rustic simplicity, freshness or quietness, and can be applied to both natural and human-made objects, or understated elegance. It can also refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction, which add uniqueness and elegance to the object. Sabi is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object and its impermanence are evidenced in its patina and wear, or in any visible repairs." It is the transitions in nature that really draw Kat in. Even though her family teases her about her dead weed photos, they are some of her very favorites.
Just to add a little spice to her repertoire, Kat tells me that she also really enjoys photographing musicians. While her childhood provided her with many opportunities to learn about nature, her family was very musical which gave her the ability to really relate to musicians. She strives to capture the visual essence of the musician’s passion in her photography which she says can be quite a challenge at times.
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
For more, please read part II in Photo Trek....Written by Greg A. Kiser
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Thank you so much for introducing us to Kat - amazing photographs! Laine
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/laines-world/ -
thanks for introducing another wonderful photographer. beautiful photos!
gina -
I've always admired Kat's work - an excellent photographer to feature!
Monica -
You know I love Kat and her work. Can't say much else except excellent pick!
Nancy
3/25/08 5:55 PM
Thanks for sharing
Sharon