These abstract self-portrait photographs were created through an oil-treated glass plate placed between lens and subject. An in-camera experiment in abstract self portrait photography, where distortion becomes part of the composition.
27.12.2023 by Sabine Fischer
Each of my abstract self-portraits becomes a study in how much of a figure can dissolve before it stops being recognisable.
Whether it’s the surreal lines created by treating a glass plate with oil or the abstract beauty born out of unconventional combinations, each image captures a moment of the artist’s evolution. For those captivated by this genre, the journey of self-discovery through experimental self-portraiture becomes an ongoing narrative, a testament to the boundless potential within every individual frame.
For 17 years now, I have been dedicated to finding creative ways to bring various photographic ideas to life. I have experimented with techniques such as body painting and blacklight (colors), water, various light settings, effects using projectors, fog machines, wind machines, smoke bombs, and surface manipulation (e.g., glass).
Technical Details
Medium: Digital photography
Process: Oil on glass, in-camera abstraction
Edition: Limited fine art prints available
Year: 2023
For these photos I coated a glass plate with olive oil and placed it in front of the lens. The oil creates organic streaks, smearing highlights and collapsing detail into painterly lines. The result is a purely photographic abstraction within abstract portrait photography: Just optics, light, and controlled imperfection.
This behind the scenes clip shows the actual glass plate I used for the series. Oil, gravity, and tiny angle changes shaping the streaks frame by frame. For orientation, here’s the setup reduced to its essentials:
Simple frames sometimes come from complicated workarounds and that’s where experimentation gets honest. My studio sometimes looks like a mess after a self-portrait session, especially when experimenting with liquids or paint leads to a considerable mess. However, the process is immensely enjoyable.
Simple results sometimes arise from complex workarounds, and one must become truly inventive when working within limited possibilities.
Figuring out how to get from A to B to C to D requires careful consideration, and these additional paths are immensely instructive, propelling one forward. Through experimentation, new techniques, unique solutions, and interesting perspectives are discovered 💡 These are my learnings from 17 years of experimental self-portraiture.
Hey, I am Sabine / sabinefey, a self-portrait photo artist and graphic designer based in Germany. Since 2008 I’ve been exploring experimental self-portrait photography using light, projection, fog, movement, and surface interventions like oil-on-glass to translate inner states into visual form.
Equipment: Nikon D850/D750 · Sigma 35mm & 50mm f/1.4 Art
Discover new self portrait photography projects, behind-the-scenes insights, and visual experiments. For collaborations, exhibitions, interviews, print requests or creative exchange, feel free to get in touch: hello@phoenixstudios.de
