Jan C. Schlegel is a contemporary German photographer known for his diverse handmade black and white prints, most notably platinum prints, as demonstrated in his series Life on Earth. Schlegel’s work demonstrates the vast uniqueness of life on our planet--in this case microscopic creatures. He is a worldwide traveler and researcher who fully immerses himself in his photography and reminds his audiences to appreciate and live in harmony with nature.
Schlegel’s series Life on Earth introduces an up-close view of phytoplankton and how vital they are to Earth’s ecosystem through 51 handmade platinum prints. These microscopic organisms are largely invisible to the naked eye yet responsible for producing more than half of the planet’s oxygen. Using a meticulous printing process, he transforms these life-sustaining forms into monumental, abstract compositions. Suspended against deep, dark backgrounds, the luminous silhouettes emphasize structure, contrast, and form. Removed from their scientific context, the images invite viewers to pause and reflect on the fragile, unseen systems that sustain life on Earth.
Life on Earth took over two years of research to assemble. Schlegel travelled to numerous oceans worldwide to personally collect these phytoplankton samples and acquired a new understanding of microscopy, phytoplankton, the marine food chain, microplastics, and climate change. He describes this project as “a personal discovery of the most fundamental basis of life”.