As a self portrait artist, I use photography as a deliberate act of construction rather than documentation. Each image is staged, shaped and lit with intention to build a visual atmosphere that reflects internal states. Self-portraiture, for me, is both laboratory and diary. 21.09.2022 von Sabine Fischer
Self-portraiture offers a rare artistic position: I am simultaneously the subject, the observer and the decision maker. This dual role creates a space of unusual control. Nothing in the frame is accidental. Distance to the camera, posture, tension in the hands, direction of the gaze. Each element is adjusted deliberately.
Emotion in my self-portraits is constructed. What may appear spontaneous is often the result of repeated trials, subtle shifts in body language and careful calibration of light and composition. This process transforms self-portraiture into a controlled form of expression rather than a passive recording of feeling.
Working alone in front of the camera intensifies awareness. Without an external photographer, there is no interpretive layer between intention and execution. The feedback loop is immediate: gesture, review, adjust, repeat. This autonomy allows precision. It also demands honesty. There is no one else to shape the narrative, only deliberate choice.
In this way, self-portrait photography becomes less about self documentation and more about authorship. The image is not a mirror. It is a construction.
In strong backlighting, where detail disappears and only contour remains, light becomes the primary narrator. Light defines perception. It determines what is revealed, what is obscured and how form is interpreted. In my work as a self portrait artist, light functions as an architectural element rather than a decorative one.
Soft light can dissolve edges and suggest introspection. Hard light carves structure into the face and body, emphasizing separation and tension. Directional light isolates the subject from the background; frontal light flattens and confronts. Each lighting decision shifts the psychological tone of the image.
Whether working with natural window light or controlled artificial sources, I approach lighting as a system of visual hierarchy. Highlights guide the eye. Shadows compress space. Contrast creates rhythm. When color filters or flash are introduced, light becomes even more intentional, actively shaping atmosphere and emotional weight.
In this context, technical decisions are aesthetic decisions. Aperture, ISO, flash intensity and angle are not merely settings; they are compositional tools. Mastery of light does not mean overpowering it. It means understanding how subtle variations alter perception.
Self-portraiture carries an inherent tension: it suggests vulnerability while requiring discipline. To appear exposed, one must first construct the conditions of exposure. This paradox is central to my work.
Standing in front of the camera can feel intimate, but the resulting image is rarely (but sometimes!) accidental. Composition is measured & light is positioned. The frame is tested repeatedly. What the viewer perceives as a moment of openness is often the outcome of careful orchestration.
This balance between vulnerability and control fascinates me. Too much control creates emotional distance. Too little control dissolves structure. The challenge lies in maintaining tension, allowing emotion to remain visible while ensuring the image retains clarity and intention.
Self-portraiture becomes a negotiation. Between authenticity and design. Between introspection and staging. Between instinct and precision.
Anyone interested in following my work and creative processes can find me on instagram: www.instagram.com/sabinefey
CONTACT me for print requests:
www.phoenixstudios.de/contact/
I’m a self portrait, photo artist & graphic designer living in Germany. Since 2008, I’ve been exploring creative ways to bring various photographic ideas to life through self-portraits and artistic portraits. My work evolves through material experimentation: light, smoke, surfaces, pigment, projection, water, shadows and light, effects using projectors, fog machines, wind machines, smoke and the manipulation of various surfaces using oil, gel, water, and different types of paint.
My self-portraits are an expression of my inner world. I process my experiences and ideas and dreams and release them into something new. Each of my images is carefully crafted, requiring several hours of shooting and post-processing. Since I primarily create self-portraits, it requires a lot of effort and creativity to bring the ideas to life.
Equipment: Nikon D850 & D750, Sigma 50mm 1.4 HSM Art & Sigma 35mm 1.4 HSM Art
