Week (month) 2: Portraiture / February 4, 2025 by annalisa fish

I’m on a quest to improve my portraits. I think for some taking portraits comes more natural, but for me it’s harder. The extroversion, confidence to direct someone and gawd, the banter/ feedback. I truly value meaningful interactions and conversation and sometimes it’s challenging to get into that right away. Somewhere though, I think it’s there in me. Whether it’s putting patients as ease during my time as a PT or time conversing while doing the podcast, I trust it’s there and will happen in time.

This leads me to my next point. I have this theory that I won’t get others to truly be cozy in front of my lens until I make peace with being in front of the camera too. The practice of posing, expressions and having fun with it but also being genuine in what I bring forward. I find it super challenging and I never know what to do with my hands… or face. I have never been one to spend a lot of time in front of a mirror. Hahaha.

Taken with natural light only, I love how it shapes Megan’s face, really giving it shape. I’d probably edit with a little more drama in the shadows nowadays but regardless, I love it.

Some of my most favorite portraits were during a shoot of Megan Rapinoe. Honestly, I can hardly take any credit the artistic side of shots. We had a DP on site and she was amazing in her direction, shoutout Ashley Battle. And well, Megan is Megan and just nailed the poses and made my job easy. But when I think about these shots and why I love them yes it’s the subject during this iconic moment. But it’s also about the lighting for me. It’s a lot more dramatic lighting than I would choose, a risk of sorts, and as a result it’s unique, it’s dramatic and meets the mood.

What makes a good portrait? That’s tough to answer so I’m gonna ramble on my thoughts to see if I can come up with something.

First off, the ultimate validation for me is if the subject loves the portrait. Most of us are our own worst critics, so I think if the subject is into it, that’s a success in my book if it’s a client. That said, as an artist I need more personal objective reasoning behind this or else I’d go crazy waiting for validation from someone else, even if it was a photo of them. Because YOU gotta love the art YOU make.

Maybe as I play with variables of portraiture, it’ll help me recognize more objectively why I like a shot…

Let’s breakdown some skills and variables of portraits as a working list as I go through this month

Lighting

soften v sharpen, 3d shape, natural vs flash, on vs off camera

Backdrops/backgrounds

Studio backdrops, Street x Portrait concept, natural environment

Posture, posing

directing subjects, making them feel at ease, genuine to their ethos

ITs giving…, What feeling? Mood?

Composition

full body versus headshot, framing, centered v thirds

Reflections on self portraits

eeek

Some favs, broken down:

This is my guy, Corey and my forever test model. I love his expression as he’s taking it seriously but giving a been there done that look’ and is comfortable enough in front of my lens to just stare it down. The lighting in this is really shaping his face and gives it a 3d quality which I LOVE. it brings out the texture of his unshaven look and makes it pop.

I love this one for a number of reasons. The negative space in this portrait is unique and clean. The reflection in focus gives us a glimpse into her perspective, in her world and we are just a privileged fly on the wall to witness.

I took this one recently of my dear friend Starla, in Tucson. She’s definitely cozy in front of the camera and I know her really well so we got right to it. I love the golden light and dramatic shadows found at golden hour in the desert. I love her expression and posture which I felt really reflected our meetup.

I love this one of my buddy, Cree, a mentor of mine. I mostly love this because he really loved it. But this also just really feels genuine to him —walking the streets of SF with his film camera, a J and a subtle smile because he gets to do what he loves. The blurry hand because he’s swapping the film. Even the row of Hondas in the background crack me up. This was a great day.

My attempt at a serious vibe, but man, I’m just goofy. Leon has the forlorn artist look nailed.

My self portraits…

a work in progress

Week 1: Landscapes / January 14, 2025 by annalisa fish

I’ve long steered clear of photographing landscapes because, frankly, they never seemed to convey the vastness and intrigue that my eyes perceive in person. Beyond their rich colors, I often found myself lacking a clear focus or thought on how to frame them in a way that felt photo worthy.

What I’ve learned so far is that scouting a location is crucial. Familiarizing myself with the lay of the land and having a vision of what I want to capture can transform the actual shooting day into a much more manageable experience. It alleviates the pressure, especially during those fleeting moments of perfect light.

the cactus on the right in the foreground IMO makes it makes it a more compelling photo

And speaking of light, it’s a compelling variable in landscape photography. Timing matters immensely—it’s essential to find those magic moments, whether it’s at sunrise, during golden hour, or at sunset. However, I've come to appreciate that flat light can be intriguing as well, and bright daylight has its own charm, depending on the mood or look I aim for.
After consciously approaching my shoots with these insights, I still found my shots lacking—they came back flat, devoid of a dynamic element for the eyes to explore. A deeper dive into photography techniques led me to discover the importance of leading lines and foreground textures. This was a game changer. By focusing on framing and experimenting with foreground elements, I was able to infuse my images with a sense of depth that invites the viewer to wander throughout the scene. This nuanced approach has not only enriched my photographs but has also rekindled my interest in capturing landscapes, transforming them into compositions that are as captivating as the real thing.

"Photo School" / January 7, 2025 by annalisa fish

I've been contemplating a journey back to school in visual media or a related field. It’s an enticing thought—one that promises not just an enhancement in my photography skills but also a deeper dive into both the art and technical dimensions of the craft. The prospect of building a community within a program adds to its appeal, as it would help forge valuable connections in the photography realm.

However, there’s the reality of time and energy commitments, not to mention the financial strain that comes with pursuing another degree. I already hold a college degree and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy; what I’m truly after is knowledge. This sparked an idea: if I can identify the skill sets or insights that would elevate my photography and artistic expression, perhaps I could pursue them independently. It would require a significant amount of discipline and motivation, but with the support of peers and colleagues, it feels achievable.

Historically, I’ve engaged in self-directed learning on this journey, witnessing considerable improvement in my skills. This time around, my approach will need to be more focused, delving into technical and nuanced areas that can refine my craft. Additionally, I’m eager to explore the intangible aspects of photography, particularly the rich history that encompasses the contributions of women and minorities in the field.

My plan is to dedicate each week to a specific skill or concept, documenting the process and results as I go. I envision this endeavor, aptly named Barb’s Photo School—affectionately using a nickname from my PDX days—not only as a path to becoming a better photographer and artist but also as an opportunity to meet new friends along the way.