Simple photographs is hosted by Nashville photographer Clark Thomas to encourage more personal photography—as a craft and a record of personal history.
Franklin photographer Henry Ambrose is an informal partner and enthusiastic contributor.We hope to make this site a resource for personal photographs—to promote the kinds of images we like to make, and to encourage others to make more meaningful images to.
Heather Still, who is both a friend and one of my students, made this photograph in January 2003.Brief bio: Clark Thomas, photographer*
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* 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 18 months 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). Soon to be posted here.
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also administer Nashville Mac User's site: macusers.com
and a Florida neighborhood site: KinksleyLake.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
