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Photographer Spotlight: Katherine Fisher, Part II
Continued from Part I on Katherine Fisher
As any of us who have been to a concert knows, photographing in these venues can be quite a challenge. They are usually quite restrictive to photographers, and the equipment that they can bring in. However, Kat has been very lucky in establishing a rapport with none other than Bruce Hornsby, her “FAVORITE” musician. Not only is he very receptive to photography and taping in his concerts, he has given Kat access to photography credentials at his performances. This was in no small part due to him seeing some of the pictures that she has taken of him. Her pictures can now be seen on both his official website (www.brucehornsby.com) and on the primary fansite (www.bruuuce.com). Great job Kat!!
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
Kat is largely self taught…She just “uses the force” and shoots. She has taken a couple of “very informal” online classes, which until recently was her only “training” in photography. Within the past month Kat had the opportunity to attend a workshop called Mastering Your D200 which was put on by Nikonians.org. This was a wonderful experience that she took a lot of great information from. They spoke of the film days when there were three technical concerns when it came to photography…shutter speed, aperture, and ASA (film speed). However, this workshop delved into the other avenues that become more of an issue with digital capture. Since Kat doesn’t learn well from manuals, this practical experience was just the thing she needed. Inundated with information dealing with “all those buttons, menus, and submenus”, she now has a lot of practicing to do. She plans to follow up with her workshop experience by taking the advanced workshop in the fall.
While Kat is not currently selling her photographs, she does have a couple of places that they can be viewed online. In My Dreams I Can Fly is her journal, or photoblog that is updated regularly. The other source for her photography is at www.primalucephotos.com. She admits to having neglected this website recently, but has been working on updating it since being made aware of this article. So, even if you have been there before, chances are she has done some redecorating and you will find all sorts of new photographs to peruse. Take a minute and drop by and check out her photographs.
Photo Copyright © Katherine Fisher
As I mentioned, this Spotlight is a direct result of a previously featured photographer’s influences. While Kat can’t really specifically name photographers that have influenced her, she still loves the work that she finds in the Sierra Club publications. In addition, she also finds inspiration in Nature’s Best Photography Magazine as well as National Wildlife.
Kat mentions that once her work was compared to that of Elliot Porter. She definitely took that as a compliment as she has always enjoyed his work, and has been drawn to his images. Since she strives to emulate Porter’s style this was probably one of the highest compliments that she has ever gotten in regards to her photography.
She also finds a lot of inspiration as well as support right here on the internet through her journal. She feels very fortunate to be surrounded by such a wide latitude of images captured by so many other talented photographers. The positive responses that she receives through her journal always push her to do more in her own photography whether it be getting more creative or just finding a new subject tophotograph.
Since the late ‘70’s when Kat was shooting with her Canon, she has reached some milestones along the way. She has finally reached the point where she can recognize that she does, in fact, have talent as a photographer. I can understand exactly where she is coming from when she says…”There are a LOT of very talented photographers and for a long time I wouldn’t allow myself to believe that I had anything special.” It is not overnight a photographer can achieve this state of mind. It started with the achievement of much smaller goals, such as taking that first step of sharing her photographs. It was a large leap of faith that led her to be able to post her first photo online, and then sit back and wait for the response. Another goal along the way was to create images that touched people. She knows she has accomplished that much.
So, what goals are left for Kat? While she will always pursue photography for the pure joy of it, she says it would be a dream come true to do some freelance travel photography. I can see why this would be a goal…to be sent to great locations and exotic places for the express purpose of making incredible photographs, now that is living! Of course Kat would love to be published as well. Related to being published, she would also love to see one of her photos on a CD jacket of Bruce Hornsby (Hey Bruce, if you’re listening…..hint, hint!). She really enjoys photographing him as he performs, and it would make her so proud for him to use one of her photographs.
Kat would like to share these words of wisdom with my readers. If you look closely, she is saying many of the things that I have been saying for quite some time now. I couldn’t agree with her more…”Photograph what you love. Photograph what intrigues you. Photograph the unexpected. Keep your eye and mind open always. If you have a ‘vision’…shoot it. Ask yourself ‘what if…?’ If you think you’re close enough, try getting closer. Look at your frame and decide what REALLY belongs in the picture. Study photos that move you. Remember there’s no such thing as taking too many pictures because practice develops the eye. Get lost in what you’re doing. PLAY!”
Kat belongs to Nikonians.org which is an online community that has been around for a very long time and is well respected. She also belongs to the Sweetbriar Nature Photography Club, which she is a new member of. Her one cause for pause is that there is a lot of emphasis on competition.
As we now know competitions are not really her thing, but she has received some recognition from the various online photo communities. The latest being our very own AOL Community Photo Challenge, where she brought home top honors in the advanced category. Congratulations!
In parting, Kat would like to pass on her deep appreciation to everyone who has been so encouraging over the last four years. It is all of this positive feedback that has fueled the creative fires that has led her to where she is today.
I would like to thank Kat for allowing me to do this Spotlight on her and her photography. It has been a pleasure getting to know her, and being able to share the work of someone whom I think is quite talented as well as a photographer that has inspired others to do better in their own work. I do hope everyone takes a minute to visit Kat at In My Dreams I Can Fly and www.primalucephotos.com. If you are a new visitor, please leave a kind word and introduce yourself.
Written by Greg A. Kiser
Tags: Photographer Spotlight, Katherine Fisher
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Greg, thanks for writing such a terrific spotlight about our dear Kat, who I am proud to say I've known personally for over 3-1/2 years! She is all that you described and more! Everyone should see her photos (imagine a gallery full of them!) not for fame or fortune, but to share in the seeing the tiny beauties of our world that Kat captures so well. ~Phinney
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I am definately going to go visit her ~ she sounds like an amazing person. I enjoyed reading about her.
Lisa -
Wonderful article Greg. I'm so glad you featured Kat. I told you she was an awesome photographer! :-)
Martha -
Greg, thanks for a great article about a wonderful photographer. I love Kat's images, too, and am happy you wrote this so that others can see her beautiful photos.
Vicki
3/17/08 11:54 AM
http://journals.aol.co.uk/ela