The family on Father's Day, June 17, 2007.

[9.6.09] It’s very strange to click on my own 'about' page and discover that I’ve apparently not read it in six years! Amazing how distracting and full a busy life with three sons can be! Yes my work is still moving toward what seems most meaningful with the least compromise, but it has evolved in surprising ways too, and two of my kids are now in middle school! I'm six years older and six years longer married, and 'tho much is the same my life overall feels not just good, but much better than it was six years ago. True, cameras are quite different, but making meaningful photographs hasn't really changed much. The world moves faster, much faster, which makes it all the more important to slow down whenever possible, and to remember what's important and why we are here. Hope life is good for you too, and yes, I will rewrite by bio sometime in the next few weeks or so. Think I should keep the older one up too, for perspective? -C.

Brief bio: Clark Thomas, photographer*
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
* former quasi-photojournalist/commercial photographer turned simple portrait maker.

My work is moving toward what seems most meaningful with the least compromise. Worked freelance while in high school for the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), Stokley Van Camp (Gatorade), AP, and UPI. Came to Nashville for college (VU) and worked freelance in the music business. Left Vandy several months before graduating to freelance full time (clients: CBS Records, music mags, People magazine, US News & World Report, various annual reports). Taught photography at Fisk University for awhile in late 70s. Retired from music industry work in the late 80s. Now making non-commercial portraits full time. Clearer and happier than ever: 52 years old, married 13+ years, three sons under the age of six, work from my home in West Nashville. Slight emphasis on Black & White, both analog and digital (complete wet darkroom plus many Macs and numerous Epson printers). Primary cameras: RZ67, 'Blad, Fuji S2, also Fuji 6x9 and a Mamiya Press 6x9; and use a Leafscan film scanner. Recently completed an exhibition of photographs I made in the mid-70s which documented the sculpture (now destroyed) of primitive artist Tanner Wickham, The 2001-02 show was for the Clarksville Museum and Customs House. Most admire the work and dedication of Minor White, Edward Weston, Gene Smith, and Helen Levitt, all dead but still alive to me. Current focus: making “insider” portraits for clients like the ones I make for my own family.  [9/03]

My portraits and darkroom were featured in Camera & Darkroom just before it died (Sept.'93 and May'94).
- = - = - = - = - = - = - = -
also administer Nashville Mac Users Group site...  MacUsers.com
and a Florida neighborhood site...  KingsleyLake.org

Technologies of the soul tend to be simple, bodily, slow and related
to the heart as much as the mind. Yet everything around us tells us we
should be mechanically sophisticated, electronic, quick and informational
in our expressiveness—an exact antipode to the virtues of the soul.
It is no wonder then, that in an age of telecommunications...we suffer
the symptoms of the loss of soul. We are being urged from every side
to become efficient rather than intimate.
-Thomas Moore, Soul Mates

Clark Thomas, 615-269-7700
clark@SimplePhotographs.com