Medium Format Photographic Artist Displays Work at Studio 33

With the advent of the first “film-less electronic camera” camera in the early 70s, the technology has evolved in leaps and bounds. Since the first digital camera, aimed at photojournalists, the Nikon F-3 with a 1.3 megapixel sensor was produced by Kodak in 1991, fewer photographers and publications have relied on film as their primary medium of photography.

However, there are still a few artists who sacrifice the convenience and instant results of a digital format for an aesthetic that can only be achieved with film. Frank Kaczmarek, a naturalist and free-lance nature photographer, is one of those few. His nature photographs, which he shoots with medium format Pentax 645 and Bronica 645 cameras ,have been used as contributions and even covers for various nature magazines and field guides.

Frank Kaczmarek, a resident of Connecticut for most of his life, was a graduate of and was educated as a research biologist in college and graduate school. He held positions with the U.S. Forest Service in Hamden, University of Connecticut Dental, and Pfizer until retiring in 2006.

Kaczmarek is self taught in the art of film photography first honing his craft in his early 30’s with a 35 mm camera. “I just love the feel of film,” Frank tells Patch. “There’s just something so organic about the process and having the film in hand…you have more of a connection with the photo.”

“I used to shoot with 35mm film but I made the switch to medium format to get noticed by the nature magazines and publications,” says Kaczmarek. The strategy worked as the larger more detailed medium format slides stood out among the plethora of 35mm film submissions.

Nature’s Best Photography, National Wildlife, Nature Photographer, Nature Conservancy, Northern Woodlands, and Outdoor and Travel Photography are just a few among his long list of photo credit accomplishments for magazines.  He has also contributed to calendars, textbooks and has written and illustrated a falcon field guide titled “New England Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Plants,” published by Globe-Pequot Press in 2009.

From April 30 to June 10 Frank’s beautiful photography can be seen in his latest solo show “Gathering Light” at Studio 33 on 140 Bank Street. Frank has a history with the studio, becoming the business partner of current owner Sarah Munro after retiring from Pfizer in March of 2006.  They bought the business from the previous owner, John Martin, and began having regular art exhibits featuring a variety of local artists. In 2008 he left the business and began working as an adjunct instructor at and Goodwin Colleges but continues to show in the gallery.

Frank has shown at Studio 33 on numerous occasions, displaying his work on metallic chemical print paper. This print medium produces an image with an eye catching metallic luster that makes the details and colors in the nature photographs seem to leap out of the frame.

His images are primarily intimate close ups of flora, fauna and landscapes generally devoid of a horizon so the viewer “feels more ensconced within the scene.” On the opening night Kaczmarek was able to send nine happy nature and photography lovers home with one of his works. His photography has also been exhibited in art galleries and businesses in the New England area and Washington, D.C.  

Munro tells Patch that Frank Kaczmarek has been a fan favorite in the gallery, as his pieces have always sold very well. “I like to sell my work to go,” says Frank “I let people take their work immediately and I replace the empty spots with other prints I bring along.” However, Kaczmarek never puts up the same print twice and often runs out of replacements, leaving gaps in his displays: a very good problem to have in the world of art.