Refracture: Why Janet Fish Changed How We See Glass

We recently said goodbye to a true titan of contemporary realism, Janet Fish. For those of us obsessed with the interplay of light and glass, her passing is deeply felt.

Fish didn't just paint "still lifes"; she painted the energy of light. She famously rejected the idea of "dead" objects, choosing instead to capture the way sunlight dances through a half-full juice glass or vibrates across the surface of a plastic wrap.

"Smucker's Jelly" (1973)

Why She Inspires me @Spina.Photos

At spina.photos, my philosophy is deeply rooted in the "Fishian" view of the world:

• Transparency as Subject: Like Fish, I believe the most interesting thing about an object is often what you can see through it.

• Color in Shadows: She proved that shadows aren't just grey—they are filled with reflected hues and hidden brilliance.

"Beer and Brandy Glasses" (1975)

• The Beauty of the Mundane: She found high art in glassware and fruit, reminding us that there is a visual symphony happening on our kitchen tables every morning.

Janet Fish taught us that if you look closely enough, everything is liquid. I try to continue to carry that lens with me in every shot I take.