Kathryn's practice lies at the intersection of science and art, using lens-based techniques to explore concepts of deconstructed movement and reveal patterns arising from chaos and complexity in nature.
She has a degree in Physics and doctorate in network science, researching complex large-scale systems (those with many interacting parts) which has informed her gravitation to using flocking birds in her practice. She spent her early career developing techniques for medical imaging, which she now applies to her nature photography.
The technique itself is anchored in the history of photography. First conceived in the late 1800’s, it was then coined chrono-photography (chrono denoting time). The first to pioneer the concept of deconstructing movement in this way were British-American photographer Eadweard Muybridge and French scientist Étienne-Jules Marey. They both became fascinated with the mechanics of both human and animal movement, particularly the flight of birds. In an era where science and art were embracing locomotion and dynamism, the impact of their advances in photography reverberated through innovation and culture for decades to come.
Now, by revisiting this century-old technique and empowered by advances in technology Kathryn goes beyond capturing the mechanics of flight to explore the complex emergent behaviour of flocks and reveal behaviour otherwise hidden.
Photo: Sony World Photography Awards 2024 exhibition © Graham Carlow, courtesy of Creo.
Kathryn's work is also featured in issues of Country Life Magazine, Bird Photographer of the Year hardback books and across the web in news outlets such as Forbes, Axios, BBC news and Knowable Magazine.