Kathryn Cooper is an artist and scientist interested in capturing the beauty of complex natural systems. Her photography is inspired by the fluid-like motion of starling murmurations.

With a background in physics and bioinformatics (a data science applied to biological systems), Kathryn's early career saw her studying the structure and dynamics of networks. It is a fascination with such complexity that compels her to create her work now.

By refining a vintage 19th century photographic technique called chronophotography - which was used in the early studies of motion in the Victorian era - Kathryn’s images are visual illustrations of the robustness of self-organised systems in nature.

An exhibiting artist, Kathryn's work has been featured in numerous publications, including bioGraphic, Nautilus and The Guardian. She lives in Sheffield, United Kingdom and her images are taken at roost sites across Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

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Awards

• RPS International Photography Exhibition 165 (Royal Photographic Society) Shortlisted - Results to be announced in September

• International Wildbird Photo Competition (Festival de L'Oiseau et de la Nature) 2023 - GRAND PRIZE - "Funnel"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 - Creative Category Highly Commended - "SmokeScreen"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 - Creative Category Commended - "Cascade"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2021 - Creative Category SILVER Award - "Funnel"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2021 - Creative Category Highly Commended - "Dementor II"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2020 - Creative Category Highly Commended - "Trails at Dusk"

• British Photography Awards 2020 - Birdlife Category WINNER - "Follow the Leader"

• Bird Photographer of the Year 2019 - Creative Category SILVER Award - "Air Traffic Control"

Exhibitions

2023

• 10/06/2023-20/05/2024 - Still / In Motion - The Montreal Biosphere, Canada - 24 images, on 2 meters wide outdoor structures winding from the St Lawrence river to the entrance of the iconic geodesic dome.

  This outdoor exhibit immerses visitors in some of the great spectacles of nature—playing out across the skies. Still / In Motion juxtaposes the photographic artworks of Kathryn Cooper and Camille Seaman, two photographers demonstrating unique views of the fluidity of time and nature. Traveling in one direction, Camille Seaman showcases icebergs in the dramatic light of the Antarctic solstice. The darkening skies amplify the specter of disappearing ice in our rapidly changing polar regions. In the other direction, Kathryn Cooper combines multiple high resolution frames to capture the fluid-like movement of migrating starlings in rural England. Murmurations throughout the sky are transformed into dynamic patterns that reveal behaviours invisible to the naked eye. Together, these series of images inspire us to see the magnificent phenomena that is nature.

  Curated by Rhonda Rubinstein, Still / In Motion is produced by the Biosphère in partnership with the California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco).

• 22/07/2022-27/08/2022 - Open 2023 at The Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington, Leicestershire.

• 22/04/2023-30/04/2023 - Le Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature, Le Crotoy, Baie de Somme, France. ( 3 images)

2022

• 19/03/2022-26/04/2022 - Janus Revisited - (2 images) Mixed Group Show at Cupola Gallery, Sheffield.

• 28/05/2022-19/06/2022 - Open 2022 at The Old Lockup Gallery, Cromford, Derbyshire.

• 16/07/2022-14/08/2022 - Open 2022 at The Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington, Leicestershire.

2021

• 01/07/2021-01/08/2021 - 6 images at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Cley-next-the-sea as part of the Cley Contemporary Art Exhibition

• 04/09/2021-05/09/2021 - 3 images in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Art in the Gardens - recipient of the 2021 photography award.

2020

• 26/09/2020-27/09/2020 - Holt Festival.

2019

• 16/08/2019-18/08/2019 - Birdfair, Rutland.

• 29/08/2019-03/09/2019 - After Nyne Gallery, London.

• 14/09/2019-31/10/2019 - Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Visitor Centre, Cley, Norfolk.

• 01/11/2019-21/12/2019 - Pensthorpe Natural Park, Fakenham, Norfolk.

Selected Publications

• The Guardian - Still/In Motion: time-lapsed montages of starling murmurations (21st July 2023).

• Country Life - 19th July 2023.

• Country Life - Dancing to the beat of a million wings (9th November 2022).

• Professional Photo Magazine - Issue 200, (October 2022).

• Hope Valley Journal - Issue 7 (November 2021).

• Nautilus Magazine - Order Flocking out of Chaos - As part of their special issue "The Edge", and published alongside a collection of pieces on the theme of "Order." (October 2021).

• bioGraphic - Starling Studded Skies - an exquisite photo essay written by Katie Jewett for the California Academy of Sciences magazine bioGraphic (July 2021).

• whynow magazine - Far Flung - A most British Wildlife Photographer. Feature article for the wonderful London-based whynow magazine. (July 2021).

• Outdoor Photography Magazine - issue 266 (March 2021).

Selected Press Coverage

• DigitalRev - 10th September 2021 - "Flights of fancy; 9 images that’ll inspire your bird photography"

• The Sierra Club - 4th September 2021 - "Starling Studded Skies"

• BBC news - In Pictures - 1st September 2021 - "Majestic birds caught by the camera"

• Geo Magazine - Naturfotografie - 1st September 2021 - "Bilder zum Lachen und Weinen: Das sind besten Vogelfotos des Jahres"

• Forbes - 1st September 2021 - "Birds Of All Feathers: 20 Inspiring Photos Winners Of Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021"

• The Guardian - Environment - 1st September 2021 - "2021 bird photographer of the year – winners"

• Knowable Magazine - Art & science - 18th July 2021 - "Starling Swirls"

• Axios Science Newsletter - 15th July 2021 - "Something Wondrous" by Alison Snyder

• The Long Now Foundation Blog - 16th August 2020 - commentary on my "movement" work.