Marine biologist Fredrik Pleijel receives the Lennart Nilsson Award

Congratulations! How does it feel to receive the Lennart Nilsson Award?

"Fantastic! Lennart Nilsson has been an inspiration from way back when. For many, "worms" are not very appealing (except perhaps as bait), but using photos of live animals and various microscope techniques, I try to document the understated beauty of these animals."

What is your relationship with Lennart Nilsson's own photographs?

"He has taken so many photographs with so many different subjects and techniques, but the ones that stand out the most are probably the foetal images from "A Child is Born", and among them the black and white photographs. A fabulous dream world!"

Do you have a new photo project coming up?

"Indeed, a photo book on Swedish marine invertebrates is high on the list. The hope is to arouse interest in life forms that 'ordinary' people do not come into contact with."

How many different species have you photographed over the years?

"Somewhere between five hundred and a thousand, perhaps, but many of them do not measure up. On the other hand, I've kept them because they can be scientifically useful even if the aesthetics take a back seat."

What are you going to do with the prize money?

"There are many holes to fill, but I haven't decided which ones yet."

Interview: Susanne Liljenström

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