Feline: A Unique Artistic and Scientific Exploration of Cats

The book “Feline” by photographer Tim Flach is a unique artistic work that explores the world of cats from various scientific and artistic angles. The book combines stunning images of both domestic and wild cats with scientific texts written by evolutionary biologist Jonathan Losos. This article delves into the details of this remarkable work and what makes cats such an intriguing subject.

Cats Through the Artistic Lens of Tim Flach

Tim Flach is a renowned photographer known for his works focusing on animals, having previously dedicated books to horses, dogs, and endangered species. Initially, he was hesitant to photograph cats due to their uncooperative nature. However, Flach overcame this challenge and produced “Feline,” which offers breathtaking images of cats.

Among the standout images in the book is a photo of a Persian cat famous on the internet due to a medical condition known as hypertrichosis, and another of an athletic Savannah cat, a hybrid between a domestic cat and an African serval.

Scientific Aspects and Evolutionary History of Cats

While preparing the book, Flach discovered much about the evolutionary history of cats. Studies suggest that cats have existed for 30 million years and have not changed much since then. This raises questions about what makes cats evolutionarily stable compared to many other species.

The book also touches on research about cats’ distinctive eyes. Flach photographed the eyes of a Devon Rex cat using a special lens brought specifically for that session. The eyes contain a layer of light-reflecting cells known as the tapetum lucidum, which causes cats’ eyes to glow in the dark.

Modern Challenges in Cat Photography

In contemporary times, it has become easy to manipulate images using modern technology, raising issues about the authenticity of photos. Flach points out that the past challenge was getting cats to stay still for photography, whereas now the challenge lies in proving that the image is real and unaltered.

Through this book, attention is drawn to these issues and how art and technology can collaborate to present genuine images that express the beauty and majesty of the creatures we photograph.

Conclusion

Tim Flach’s “Feline” is a comprehensive artistic and scientific work that combines visual beauty with valuable scientific information. Through its stunning images and profound texts, the book provides a comprehensive view of the world of cats and their evolutionary history, making it a distinctive addition to any library interested in science and art. Through this work, Flach successfully overcame the challenges of photographing cats and presented them in a new framework that highlights their natural beauty.