10/05/2026
Behind the lens with judge Bianca Germain Photography:
“What makes this image stand out is that it captures a feeling rather than just showing someone fishing. The fisherman is out in the middle of a stormy night, trying to put fish in the boat as part of a crew competition to see who could catch the most. You can feel the weather, the tension, the long night, and the determination to keep fishing.
There’s a real grit to the frame. The wetness, darkness, lens flare, and heavy contrast make you feel like the camera and photographer are getting worked over by the same conditions as the fisherman. You can almost feel the precip and salt hitting the lens. The imperfections become part of the photograph—they make it feel less polished and more honest.
The warm light coming off the boat against the deep blue of the night gives it a cinematic quality, while the fishing rod cuts through the frame and pulls your eye out into the darkness. I also love the way the light catches the orange glove. It’s such a small detail, but it becomes the visual anchor of the image. Against all that darkness and blue, the orange glove pulls your eye straight to the fisherman’s hands and the action. It gives the silhouette just enough definition and adds this unexpected hit of color and warmth to an otherwise cold, gritty scene.
For me, the image is also a good reminder to keep shooting when the conditions get hard - and to pack a lot of microfiber towels. The unpleasant elements are exactly what make the photograph work. Sometimes the conditions you’re tempted to put the camera away for are exactly what give a photograph its character.”
Diverge 15 photo contest is underway. Enter for a chance to win epic prize packages and a permanent spot in SITKA history. Link in bio.
