{"id":1899088,"date":"2026-04-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899088"},"modified":"2026-04-23T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T21:00:00","slug":"contrast-reigns-in-austn-fischers-conspicuous-black-and-white-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899088","title":{"rendered":"Contrast Reigns in Austn Fischer\u2019s Conspicuous Black-and-White Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2998\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-6.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of a woman with a pearl in her mouth\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">All images courtesy of Austn Fischer, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Contrast Reigns in Austn Fischer\u2019s Conspicuous Black-and-White Photos<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T12:30:00-05:00\">April 23, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-photography\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/photography\/\" rel=\"tag\">Photography<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F04%2Faustn-fischer-fashion-photography%2F&amp;title=Contrast%20Reigns%20in%20Austn%20Fischer%27s%20Conspicuous%20Black-and-White%20Photos\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#ad92ded8cfc7c8ced990eec2c3d9dfccded9889f9dffc8c4cac3de889f9dc4c3889f9decd8ded9c3889f9debc4decec5c8df889f9ade889f9deec2c3deddc4ced8c2d8de889f9defc1cccec680ccc3c980fac5c4d9c8889f9dfdc5c2d9c2de8bccc0dd96cfc2c9d490eec2c3d9dfccded9889f9dffc8c4cac3de889f9dc4c3889f9decd8ded9c3889f9debc4decec5c8df889f9ade889f9deec2c3deddc4ced8c2d8de889f9defc1cccec680ccc3c980fac5c4d9c8889f9dfdc5c2d9c2de889f9d88e89f88959d889499889f9dc5d9d9ddde889eec889feb889febdadada83d9c5c4dec4decec2c1c2dedeccc183cec2c0889feb9f9d9f9b889feb9d99889febccd8ded9c380cbc4decec5c8df80cbccdec5c4c2c380ddc5c2d9c2cadfccddc5d4889feb\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"473283\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI started doing photography\u00a0as a way to express things I don\u2019t understand or to convey a message I\u2019m having a hard time explaining,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/austnfischer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austn Fischer<\/a> says. \u201cI often work in quite a backwards\u00a0way, knowing exactly what I want to arrange in front of the camera but struggling to understand the significance\u00a0in my life until I am able to reflect on it after.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Wisconsin-born, London-based photographer taps into fashion as performance, considering how our garments, style, and gestures convey parts of our identities. Contrast is key in Fischer\u2019s work, and it emerges through unusual pairings like lace ruffs atop athletic garb or an angular, black gown with a dainty, horse-shaped wire armature. Whether a portrait or a more conceptual composition, each work harnesses an exuberant sense of play and homes in on our ability to remake ourselves anew.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\" title=\"David Byrne\" data-rl_title=\"David Byrne\" data-rl_caption=\"David Byrne\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2998\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-4.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of david byrne underneath a light with his hand raised as if giving an oath\" class=\"wp-image-473288\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">David Byrne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cGrowing up, I had a lot of questions around my sexuality and my own experience as a man. I naturally gravitated towards fashion because of the story clothing can convey in an image,\u201d he adds. \u201cThe colours, shape, fabric, and the way clothing wraps around a model create a unique conversation around identity and the body.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fischer has collaborated with a range of <a href=\"https:\/\/togetherassociates.com\/artist\/austn-fischer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">editorial and commercial clients<\/a>, shooting Ai Weiwei with a milkshake for <em>The New Statesman<\/em>, for example, and David Byrne seemingly under oath for <em>Crack Magazine<\/em>. Whether working on a personal project or a commissioned series, the photographer transforms a largely black-and-white palette that could appear harsh into scenes exuding warmth and softness. <\/p>\n<p>Better understanding his own emotions is Fischer\u2019s priority at the moment, following a series of painful experiences, both personal and professional, that have influenced what and how he\u2019s creating. \u201cRecently, I spent two weeks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.\u00a0painting\u00a0a wall in a church white over and over to understand\u00a0patience and reflect on myself. I\u2019m working a lot on understanding emotion and myself through putting my body through different tasks or challenges,\u201d he tells Colossal.<\/p>\n<p>Explore more of Fischer\u2019s portfolio on <a href=\"https:\/\/austnfischer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/austnfischer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-7.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of a woman in a tracksuit and frilly collar\" class=\"wp-image-473291\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\" title=\"Ai Weiwei\" data-rl_title=\"Ai Weiwei\" data-rl_caption=\"Ai Weiwei\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-5.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of ai weiwei holding a milkshake\" class=\"wp-image-473289\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ai Weiwei<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2801\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-1.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of two people in a crude horse costume\" class=\"wp-image-473285\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\" title=\"David Byrne\" data-rl_title=\"David Byrne\" data-rl_caption=\"David Byrne\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2421\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-3.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of david byrne sitting on a chair beneath hanging shirts\" class=\"wp-image-473287\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">David Byrne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473283\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fischer-2.jpg\" alt=\"a black and white photo by Austn Fischer of a woman in a black dress with a wire horse sculpture\" class=\"wp-image-473286\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits 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post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/04\/dima-rebus-watercolor-paintings\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>All images courtesy of Austn Fischer, shared with permission Contrast Reigns in Austn Fischer\u2019s Conspicuous Black-and-White Photos April 23, 2026 Photography Grace Ebert Share Email Bookmark \u201cI started doing photography\u00a0as a way to express things I don\u2019t understand or to convey a message I\u2019m having a hard time explaining,\u201d Austn Fischer says. \u201cI often work 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