Unit 4: Photographer Research Project Introduction

Lennart Nilsson

The photographer that I chose for the unit 4 photographer research project is Lennart Nilsson. Nilsson was born in 1922 and began his career in photojournalism in the mid-1940s as a freelance photographer.  

Cover of LIFE magazine April 30, 1965 photographed by Nilsson

  He is known as a pioneer in medical photography and became well-known with his cover story in LIFE magazine in 1965 titled "The Drama of Life before Birth" and his famous book "A Child is Born" published in the same year.  These featured amazing photographs of human embryos.  Nilsson continued with macro photography with the focus on human life and close-up views of things inside the human body.
 

Inside LIFE magazine April 30, 1965 issue; Photos by Nilsson

He experimented with photography and light microscopy to create his beautiful photographs and later used a scanning electron microscope in his work.  He has received numerous awards and his work can be found in a number of museums and institutions around the world.

Inside LIFE magazine April 30, 1965 issue; Photos by Nilsson

I admire Nilsson as a photographer and artist and appreciate his fascination with the wonders that the human body can hold.  As a soon-to-be nurse, I share the same appreciation which is probably what drew me to research Nilsson.  I am excited to share with you what I learn about him.