EOS Project

NHS tribute

Last year, during the global pandemic, Del Francis began shooting portraits of clinical staff at St George’s Hospital in London.

What is your photographic background?

Having first assisted veteran photographer Phil Ward in Dockland Studios, London, I went on to work freelance for major publishing houses and design groups, photographing musicians, artists, scenario fashion and actors.

After working in photography and imaging for decades, I decided to expand my career and studied law, eventually ending up as a legal specialist at St George’s Hospital in London. I now split my time between St George’s and photographic projects. During my time I have also exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery and the Glasgow School of Art, among other venues.

What inspired you to photograph members of staff at St George’s Hospital?

I invited clinical staff to sit for a portrait during the pandemic, with the aim of honouring and thanking them for their commitment, as well as documenting the greatest challenge the NHS has ever faced. The resulting exhibition, titled ‘Portraits to a Life of Dedication’, features 43 portraits that capture the inner strength, compassion and humanity of those working on the front line at St George’s Hospital.

Above Senior Consultant Surgeon in Gynaecology (name withheld). EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/160 second at f16, ISO 100.

My motivation

Photography is what I do. It’s like oxygen. When I am not shooting, I’m planning the next shot. It’s the focus, idea and effort you put into a shoot that makes the difference. Technology has changed so much in today’s world, especially photography, but it’s striving to create an image that is hopefully timeless that gets me up and working every morning!

Above Yael Gelfer, Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics. EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/160 second at f11, ISO 100.

Above Debasish Banerjee, Consultant Nephrologist. EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 57mm, 1/160 second at f8, ISO 100.

Above Rebecca Campbell Jones, Specialist Physiotherapist. EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/160 second at f13, ISO 100.

Above Chris Wilkinson, Senior Porter. EOS 5DS, EF 24- 70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 61mm, 1/160 second at f7.1, ISO 100.

Above Angelina Nadarajah, Physician Associate. EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/160 second at f9, ISO 100.

Above Alice Kebbay, Lead Nurse, Education and Development. EOS 5DS, EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens at 70mm, 1/160 second at f10, ISO 100.

The staff depicted have all played a critical role in the response to coronavirus. Everyone who came along thought it was important to take part, to let the public know that behind their professional appearance was a human being with the same concerns, worries, highs and lows that we all feel. The images give an insight into individual personalities and a diverse workforce who make St George’s Hospital.

By hosting the exhibition outside the hospital, patients and staff are able to view the exhibition safely, within government guidelines.

What was your aim? Do you feel you have achieved it?

The real aim was to provide a forum for the public to actually see the people who treat them and save lives every day. We initially thought of taking the portraits with a hospital background but then changed our minds and used a large

St George’s Arts Programme

The support I received from the St George’s Hospital Charity via the Arts and Fundraising Teams, as well as the Communications Team, at the hospital has been outstanding. The project would simply not have been possible without their support. They were key to obtaining the involvement of the clinicians and staff and coordinated the communications programme to inform everyone about the project.

The Fundraising and Arts Team also organised the actual funding as well as all of the printing and installation of the large external exhibition itself, which was quite a task. The Communications Team – working with the Arts and Fundraising Teams – organised the press release and interest of ITV News.

Since 2001, St George’s Hospital Charity has supported the St George’s Arts Programme based at the hospital. The Arts Team ensure that the charity’s art collection, innovative arts programmes, projects and commissions enhance the well-being of patients and staff.

About Del

I have been photographing people in the studio and in various environments for over 30 years. I originally trained at Glasgow College of Building and Printing, and Bournemouth & Poole College of Art and Design, specialising in photography and set building, with additional subjects on sensitometry.