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Michael FrankBritish photographer
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Biography of Michael Frank
- Anatomy and Art
- Award-Winning Images
- A Blend of Emotions
- An Intersection of Science and Art
- Attention to Detail
- Technical Details
- Art and the Meaning of Life
Biography of Michael Frank
Michael Frank is a British photographer who has captured the beauty and vulnerability of the animal kingdom in his fascinating - and sometimes horrifying - images. He was able to convey the inner beauty hidden in the yet-to-be fully formed details inside our bodies. Using materials obtained from historical dissections at the Royal Veterinary College in London, Frank created a series of photographs that showcase this internal beauty. He says, "When you remove the surrounding tissues and fat that complicate perception, you are left with a purity and delicate artistry that is completely different from anything I have ever seen." Each specimen is preserved in a container with formalin, allowing for the preservation of the intricate structure of the objects down to the finest details.
Anatomy and Art
According to Frank, these images serve the purpose of understanding anatomy, especially from the perspective of the Royal Veterinary College. The digital images provide access to research for a wide audience of students and practicing professionals. However, Frank also aimed to create something that is isolated from academic circles and firmly established in art, prompting viewers to contemplate what they see.
Award-Winning Images
Frank's collection includes images of a cow's heart, a goat's testicles, and an embryonic dog. One of his recent photographs of a pregnant horse's uterus won the Wellcome Image Awards 2015. The image depicts the uterus of a New Forest pony in its fifth month of pregnancy, with the fetus attached to the uterus by the umbilical cord and fetal membranes.
A Blend of Emotions
James Cutmore, the photo editor of BBC Focus magazine and a member of the judging panel, described the image of the horse's uterus as evoking various emotions. He said, "It's captivating, it's sad, it's dark, almost brutal. However, the depicted subject is delicate, detailed, and beautiful. The image shows us a majestic and magnificent creature turned into something sad, fragile, and partially formed, which I find so humbling."
An Intersection of Science and Art
One of Frank's favorite photographs is an image of a goat's inverted testicle. He explains, "This image grabs my attention because you can't tell what it is. It's that moment when science turns into pure art. I don't see an inverted testicle here. I see a satellite image of a river."
Attention to Detail
Frank meticulously sets up the lighting for the containers of formalin to convey the fragility of the membranes or tissues within. He explains, "As it is evident, the container itself presents some constraints and challenges, such as scratches, light refraction, and reflections. On the other hand, there are dirty suspensions, color shades of old formalin, or air bubbles."
Technical Details
Frank always uses a Hasselblad 120 mm lens, a 40MP Phase One digital back on a black background, and three to four Bowens flashes. On an average day, he photographs the contents of 15-20 containers, and the post-processing of one image takes approximately a whole working day.
Art and the Meaning of Life
Frank hopes that, like the paintings of the Renaissance era, his art will raise broader questions about life and its meaning.
