Believe it or not, I just listened to this whole thing because I couldn't look at the screen. Now I'm eager to watch again and see his work -- "Now we're cooking with gas!" as it were. 🥂
As a UA-camr myself, I find YT's attitudes to some things appalling. Whilst this is a first-rate video, it is, as admitted, self censored to a ridiculous level just to appease the infants running UA-cam. A "UA-cam" based in Europe would be far better and permit us to make good content that does not get hit by the US-Bible-Belt-Day-Time-TV standards of UA-cam.
@@reserva120 What a great way to insult those who suffer from mental illness. Get in the bin, you absolute monster! (At least Marxists can spell. What an own goal!)
Thank you for this video. I was his assistant during the late 90's and worked on many of the images in your video including his book 'Shooting Sex'. He was obviously a massive influence on me and my work and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude . Thank you for keeping his name alive.
It must have been hectic but so cool to have assisted him. He was a genius (from the work I have seen). Such inspirational works. I wish people were more open minded when it comes to photography, they don't seem to mind nude and sexual scences in paintings . Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts James. All the best ✌👍
James you must have so many amazing stories! My copy of that book is signed, so that's the closest I've ever come to Bobs own work! It's a shame there isn't much (or any) on display. I'm going to add getting the Opus of his works to the list of things I'll treat myself to when I get a million subs!
@@brianmangan3524 I totally agree regarding your comments about nudes in other media. A photograph of a statuesque human form seems to be taken lightly compared to "classical" forms like oil paints and sculptured stone. The amount of nude forms on show in most museums and major European tourist sites is huge, and they are always well regarded. But show one photo of a scantily clad female form, although posed artistically, and people lose their reason and make harsh judgements. It seems that the classical forms are praised as objects on their own, but the fact that we can see the subject in a photograph, and not a depiction of them, seems to devalue the image entirely, and relegate it into the deepest darkest recesses of pop culture - a state that can be taken to mean "less than". Surely an actual image of the form you're trying to capture is more impactful than the artistic portrayal of that form, if that's what you're going after, and should be included among the highest of art forms. As with most things arty it'll probably be a few decades before the art of photography is given as much weight as paintings and sculpture.
@@ThunderboltWisdom Once upon a time (the late '70 to mid-90's?...) most of the really GREAT photo images of people (portraiture, but not in the now accepted term of: photos of everyday people...) came from the Rock photographers (well actually the "RAWK" guys, and the Goth scene shooters...), the fashion-as-sex images commercial work, and the Fetish photographers!!!... All the "Rolling Stone" people (Lebovitz, Mick Rock, etc...), the rock magazine shooters (Neil Zlozower, Fin Costello, Ross Halfin, Mark Weiss, etc...) and the Fetish/Nude/Goth shooters (Mapplethorpe, Carlos Clarke-here, Helmut Newton, Scott Church, etc...) made images that were published to capture and often "shock" (so mildly, when looked upon now...) the viewer but leave a sense of the darker but deeper side of our Fashion/Pop/Music/Sexual culture, and the lasting impact is shown again in these video retrospectives/re-introductions... I am really glad this channel is looking back with an "artistic eye" on so many of the images and the photographers who were shaping and expanding our visual lexicon, outside of the glossy men's/women's/fashion publications of their times... Just saying...📸🤓😎
When I was studying photography in university, I challenged our course director on the nature of actually making it in the kind of 'for the art book, art buyers or exhibitions' avenues we were being nudged towards when it seemed to just be wealthy folk or well networked curators deciding on certain works to be worthy of support based on seemingly poorly formed critique or even arbitrary whims. He thought a little and ultimately said 'Its a game. It is a game and you choose wether or not to play it.' That was the mental moment I 'walked away' from the idea of pursuing this kind of work and moved towards cinematography... and honestly, while not perfect in how it relates to merit, it has been so much healthier.
One of the issues that bothered Bob, at the time, was that he felt the monetary value of his studio was worth more than his work. Bob had been a customer of mine at Leeds PV and KJP/Calumet and I had been talking to him to see if we could feature him in the Calumet Focus flyer later on in 2006.
I loved his work from the first time I saw it in the 70s. Amazing feel to his portraits, combined with such technique. The half tones, the rich detail, the high contrast. He did it all so well.
I had the honour of meeting Bob and arranging a talk with him for the London Portrait Group. We had some great times together where he introduced me to a lot of the greats . Years after he passed his widowed wife asked me to photograph her wedding with the proviso that it be shot entirely in Monochrome and there were no posed images on the day.
It’s as you say, quite remarkable that none of his work is collected by the major art galleries here in the U.K.. His artwork is every bit as creative as Helmut Newton, who in Berlin has an entire gallery dedicated to him. Hopefully someone of some influence will watch this and wake up. Thanks for shining a light on his work, it’s a brilliant peek Into his life, and the era in which he worked.
I must admit I was not a fan of the Helmut Newton foundation when I went. Maybe it's just because the trip was immediately preceded by me visiting an exhibition of Linda McCartney's work, whose photography spoke to me much more.
i was a huge fan of his in the 90s when i was learning photography at college, i won an award at the end of year show and he turned up to present it! i was literally speechless... his work continued to echo in my own for years to come... but ironically i hadn't followed him or his work as time passed, and i was unaware of the tragic circumstance of his death... this video goes some way to bringing his work to a wider audience... thank you, RIP Bob x
Fabulous photographer. Depression is a horrible and misunderstood condition that many do not understand. Such a shame that it eventually got the better of him.
As someone with experience working in the dark room I am blown away by the effects he was able to achieve. The dedication and love for his craft is clearly evident.
Today, I walked past his grave. I had never heard of him before, but his name stood out, so I did some research. I can't believe that the images I remember seeing as a teenager were his. I'm already fascinated because I adore his work. As an artist, I can resonate with how he felt about the art world, as I'm currently feeling the same way. While I'm not suicidal, I've just had enough of it. I admire his work, and he's from Cork, just like my Dad. I feel there's a reason for finding him today.🖤Blessing to his family x
Wow Alex! This is definitely one of your best videos I've seen. Something different and I think very inspirational. Bob was a genius . Those few images you showed really struck me , this video has really motivated me. Well done , keep up the great work 👏👏👏
I worked in London as a photographer's assistant back in the day. I met Bob Carlos Clarke and have an original signed print. Apart from my camera, it's probably my most treasured possession. I was heartbroken when I heard he's died. I was looking at White Heat only the other day.
I met Bob in the early ‘90s and did a short course with him in his Tite Street studio. He changed the way I did ‘model’ portraits by reducing the shutter speed of my camera to 1/60th of a second to introduce a little blur - fascinating! Years later I owned a fashion magazine called Scene and he did a shoot for it. Much as I liked Bob, I found him ‘dark’, the opposite of David Bailey who also shot for my magazine. In my humble opinion, the best known photographs taken by Bob reflect his own personality, whereas Bailey’s portraits reflect the subject’s personality. This is a major difference. However, there is no doubt that Bob was a simply brilliant printer, and he taught me a great deal. I was very sad the day he passed, not just because I knew him, but because he contributed something different to the art of photography, and for this he deserves being remembered.
Bob Carlos Clark was one of the photographers I admired when I was first learning photography. Very sorry to hear how his life ended. I often wonder what happened to all those photographers I admired all those years ago.
Bob was a charming man as well as a great photographer. I was lucky enough to work with him when I worked in the UK photographic industry. He was always most appreciative of the support we gave him, providing equipment and helping with exhibitions. Undoubtedly the most rock and roll guy I've ever met and someone who it was a privilege to know.
My ex wife and I had a huge library of books between us……when we separated, one of the first things I grabbed was my copy of Dark Summer before she could get her hands on it! As a young, traditional artist, I was definitely influenced by Bob Carlos Clarke’s work, so it was great to see this post in my feed. Thank you so much!
Admired his work since I first saw his article's in Amateur Photographer in the mid 80's. His images had such power and feeling behind them. This video is a great tribute to him, thank you.
I have a treasured copy of White Heat. The real sadness for me is that he could have overcome his situation by running workshops on Black and White photography, darkroom technique, printing, colour toning and many other aspects of photography to other generations. Master Photographer, Master Darkroom Printer. We lost so much when he made that tragic choice.
Thank you for this remembrance, Alex! I was looking for the Dress to Kill series and I wanted to know who photographed it and took me several days of googling and searching to find out that he was Bob Carlos Clarke. I love that series and I saw a very few other photos by him and tried to get something more about him, in vain. Now, thanks to you and this video, I know more and especially appreciate his works even more. This was really a due and beautiful act to keep his name and memory alive!
@@ThePhotographicEye by the way, don't you know whether the moving picture version of Dressed to Kill ad came from Clarke, too? I like that, too! (You know, the elegant lady arriving to a helicopter in an Audi, and the technician at the rear rotor...)
The Kitkat Ad is one of those wonderful shots that wasn’t great for it’s intended purpose, but tells us so much about the artistic style of the time rather than the sterile commercial environment.
Thank you for introducing me to Bob Carlos Clark. I was not familiar with his work, and it's just fantastic. So sad that he was unappreciated during his life.
Incredible work. A real photographer. Lately all these so called “UA-cam photographers” spend all their time shooting f/1.4 lenses and blowing out the background. Irrelevant photography. Not artists. Work like Bob Carlos Clarke’s is timeless.
His grave, that was shown in your video is in West Brompton Cemetery which is one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian cemeteries as indeed is Highgate. A sad end to his life but now resting in a beautiful place which is well worth visiting if you are an West London.
I only know of Bob Carlos Clarke from the artwork and poster associated with BIKE magazine in the 1970’s. Never before had anyone seen such style in a motorcycle magazine which prior to that time was completely mundane. RIP Bob, you brought style to motorcycling that has stayed in my mind ever since.
Thanks for this Alex. I only met Bob a few times, but I knew him as a great photographer and a warm and gracious guy. We shared the pages of Amateur Photographer's Erotica Special several times. I was proud to be invited to contribute to his obituary by AP.x
I just love your videos, as a newbie to photography who has taken up photography due to my own mental health issues I love discovering interesting photographers. At present Sebastiao Salgardo, Saul Leiter and know Bob Carlos Clark are my top 3 people to learn more about.
I met Bob in a night club in London in the mid 90’s, I chatted with him for a while when he found out I was looking for work as an assistant. He offered to let me come along to some of his shoots….To this day I have no idea why I didn’t take him up on the kind offer. I think my photography career would have been very different.
My mentor ended up in Bellview in Manhattan. He was dancing down Madison Ave naked in the freezing rain. After he felt better he stayed on as the Hospitals photographer! Oh Boy what a portfolio (all B&W) and top brands! What a fantastic teacher.
I too first came across him through AP as a teenager. He and Blondie have a lot to answer for. Many years later I bought signed 2nd hand copies of White Heat and The Dark Summer through Abebooks the week before he took his own life. Their value there went 10x instantly and it made me feel incredibly sad that it took such an event to make him more recognised for his incredible talent and worth.
A fantastic photographer and printer. This video does him more justice than any other I've seen. I had two of his books, but had to sell them to pay some family bills a few years back. Still gutted about that. But I have a very nice small catalogue from an exhibition at MPW's restaurant. One of my most treasured positions. The full sized prints are wonderful to see. They really are stunning.
I discovered your channel quite recently and I think it’s become my favourite photography YT channel. I really appreciate the fact that you don’t treat photography as just another academic subject or from a mere technical point of view but instead share thoughts and passion and stories about how to live through this art and get inspired by incredible artists. Every new video is both thrilling and very inspirational. Please keep up the outstanding work.
Lovely tribute, I worked with Bob and Patrick Lichfield in the 90's, two fine photographers who taught me so much in different ways. With Bob I'll never forget the first day with multiple cameras, different film speeds and processing, and you had to pass him the camera, with correct aperture ready to go, while reloading and marking the last roll with the correct push / pull.. now there was pressure! Good times ; )
I keep clicking linked videos at the end rewatching your videos and enjoying the whole thing again!! There's so much to learn and so many artists to learn from, I appreciate all the work you put into these!
This is a beautiful homage to a brilliant and treasured artist for whom life itself was tragically insufferable. I feel sad wondering how that final decision came to be.
A true hero to me and an amazing talent. Fired from his fantastic column in AP for calling Chris Packham a peacock haired prick. Bob was right. We all lost something for AP’s lack of back bone to support it’s columnists.
Thank you for exploring this man's life and works. It's a coincidence but I was just reading an article about a series of photographers who took their own lives, that mentioned Bob Clark and the South African photographer Kevin Carter.
I first came across BCC in the 90's in photography magazines, he still inspires me today and is still one of the best photographers, may he rest in peace
..its tough. Those with much to offer to photography, in any aspect, are often overlooked. I have experienced this my entire working photographic life.
I was in the photo 'industry' in London from the late 60's to the late 70's and Bob's work always always always fascinated me. What a sad loss he was. Thanks for the reminder.
When I got into photography BCC was one of my favourite photographers I loved his prints they just popped out at me his images were striking and still are he was a genius and sadly missed but his legacy will live forever
Shooting for "men's magazines" I'm sure had something to do with him not getting the recognition. Probably a cautionary tale still applicable today, sadly. Wonderful photographer nonetheless. :-(
Love your video so a big thank you. Your favorite BCC photograph called 'Mourning Dress" with model Debby Carr has been in a frame on my wall for nearly 40 years! As you can imagine, it's my fovorite too. I own the book The Dark Summer and it's superb. Grtz from The Netherlands.
Thank you for sharing this photographer with us! Lovely images. Makes me wonder why Helmut Newton seemed to be able to avoid the pitfalls of edgy photography...
In the 1970s Bob Carlos Clarke did quite a few photo shoots for the motorcycling magazine Bike, that were pretty stunning for the time. This was before he grew famous enough to concentrate on celebrities and latex-clad women.
In the early 80's I used to work in the Film and Photography dept of Zwemmer's Art Bookshop, just off Cambridge Circus- I used to devour all those BCC expensive books you mentioned, during my lunch break...
I’ve been a big fan of his work from the moment like you, I saw his work in Amateur Photographer. Thank you for such a warm and enthusiastic piece about him…he deserves it.
I was just getting into photography when I discovered Bob Carlos Clarke’s work in the amazing photo book section of Powell’s Bookstore. I was mesmerized by his portraits. So sad that he didn’t see any other way forward. Thanks for the thoughtful segment :)
Just today I was thinking that I was becoming bored with photography, and then I found something different to shoot, a reflective still on the water, I have not edited it yet as I wanted to let it sit for a while, then I see this video and again you give me a helpful kick in the pants, I do appreciate you so much.
So rare to see a video of this great photographer once saw him Manchester doing a slide show of his work ,the most charismatic charming immensely talented man ,great video keep them coming
Total respect to you for your appraisal of Bob's work and to the memory of Bob himself. I was turned onto his work in the early 80's. I love photography but I am more of a visual artist and I wanted to see if I could recreate his amazing images with just some coloured pencils. The ideas, skill and creativity were his. I just used his influence and adopted a different visual technique. It is a tragedy that he was unable to come to terms with the advent of digital photography. Perhaps if he gave himself the chance to embrace how it could enhance rather than detract from his image making we would still be able to experience his genius today. He will forever be a hero of mine and you should be rightfully applauded for a touching, poignant and informative tribute thank you.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bob in the 80s at an Ilford road show in Edinburgh, like you I was and I am still a fan of his work. Thanks for sharing this video and RIP Bob 😢
Thanks, Alex. Yes, some of his images seem "stereotypical" for the '90s, but I think that is more because so many of his images were "copied" by others so much that they became a meme. The model at the 4:29 looks like she could be the inspiration for Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) in Blade Runner 2049.
His photos are not only black/white, they are Black And White, even the coloured ones. Remarkable images that show and let you feel the soul of the model and the photographer. While staged, they also feel natural. And some scenes are full of humour, and still modest, in a way. It’s indeed a tragic story to hear. Glad to have seen some of his work.
Thoughtful look at a great and largely forgotten photographer. Once, back in the 20thC, I had to order a BCC book on loan from the British Library (this was in the days when we had a proper library service of course) for group study. The work was accepted for what it was and no eyebrows were raised. Can you imagine the faux outrage today? Good video. Thanks Alex.
I remember the AP days - I wasn't a huge fan then, but I'm coming toi appreciate him more through the images you show from time to time - but it did feel at the time that he was carrying all before him - just shows how wrong the impressios you get can be. I hate that that soul or sale thing exists - but maybe it's success now or success later when the world catches up with you.
Very 1990s. I heard about his death in the train station. He was very much a film and darkroom manipulation photograhper, so I can imagine that digital was a struggle for him.
Nice one Alex, what an amazing photographer and a master in the Dark Room. Sad that he had such a troubled mind and I am sure he still had much to give.
Never heard of him prior, and I'm a commercial guy/67. But, his talent is undeniable- even though the masses were unaware. That UNacceptance commercially is what crushed him.
Bob was my hero, i still have all those articles from Amateur Photographer along with some of his books and three limited edition prints. I got to meet him at a show in Dublin once and get my copy of the Dark Summer signed by the great man. I loved his printing style you could tell a BCC print a mile of. Sadly he has been overlooked since his death which is a great shame. Thanks for putting this together.
Bob was an amazing photographer. I like you first saw his work in AP. The forks photograph I remember well. Such a shame the way he took his own life. R.I.P Bob.
Thank you for introducing me to Bob Carlos’s work. His story touches me. I have dabbled in photography that deals with the “outer fringes”, leather, vinyl etc. as well as traditional portraiture. While I’ve never worked in a dark room and have only shot digital I have wrestled with my own demons regarding my art. It’s a dark place. How much longer can I rage against the darkness? I am not sure.
Ohh that interview with Bob at 8.34 is sooo relevant today, at 61 years of age I've finally taken the advice he talks about, started to enjoy my photography, getting creative and expressing myself. The downside of commercial work sneaks up on you until one day you realise that to 'them' you're just another guy with a camera. Funnily enough I was looking at my signed copy of Obsession yesterday along with PhotoGraphics by Sam Haskins. Awesome photography. Inspiring. Another great video, thank you
@@quentincrisp6933 Obsession was a book Bob published in the early eighties. Cowboy Kate is awesome, from early 60's I think. PhotoGraphics was later, mainly Sam's color work with a lot photo manipulation .. before computers.
Enjoyed looking at his work It’s truly tragic, the politics that go on in commercial photography and the fine arts Or as one editor proclaimed to me one day it’s not what you know, but who you know
Thanks so much for making this really excellent background video on Bob Carlos Clark, one of my favourite photographers. Such a tragic ending to his life and career. In 1994 (95?) I was indeed fortunate to meet Bob, in Canberra during a workshop he was conducting over a few days. At the time, I was in my 2nd (3rd?) year of photography studies at Canberra Institute of Technology. Bob’s workshop was fascinating. But what really blew me away was when his chosen model for the workshop appeared. Her name was Rachael, and a year or so earlier I had photographed her for her first modelling folio! I’d like to think that perhaps my photos of Rachael had led her to be chosen by Bob for his workshop. In the early days, I was shooting quite a lot of modelling folios, to gain experience, commercial exposure, and to have something for my own portfolio. Apart from the follow-up photos of Rachael that I saw from this workshop (yes… latex), I never again saw any of these published anywhere, even though IMO they were absolutely great images, in the style only Bob Carlos Clarke can produce. Thanks again for posting your video!
Sorry about the double upload - YT had a bit of a fit about the previous upload. You know, because, reasons..
Thanks for watching!
Believe it or not, I just listened to this whole thing because I couldn't look at the screen.
Now I'm eager to watch again and see his work -- "Now we're cooking with gas!" as it were.
🥂
wait yet another Depress artist who this he's a Marxist socialist against Captialism. There is a childlike stupid vile mentality to these group..
As a UA-camr myself, I find YT's attitudes to some things appalling. Whilst this is a first-rate video, it is, as admitted, self censored to a ridiculous level just to appease the infants running UA-cam. A "UA-cam" based in Europe would be far better and permit us to make good content that does not get hit by the US-Bible-Belt-Day-Time-TV standards of UA-cam.
@@reserva120 What a great way to insult those who suffer from mental illness.
Get in the bin, you absolute monster!
(At least Marxists can spell. What an own goal!)
Thank you for this video. I was his assistant during the late 90's and worked on many of the images in your video including his book 'Shooting Sex'. He was obviously a massive influence on me and my work and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude . Thank you for keeping his name alive.
It must have been hectic but so cool to have assisted him. He was a genius (from the work I have seen). Such inspirational works. I wish people were more open minded when it comes to photography, they don't seem to mind nude and sexual scences in paintings . Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts James. All the best ✌👍
James you must have so many amazing stories!
My copy of that book is signed, so that's the closest I've ever come to Bobs own work! It's a shame there isn't much (or any) on display. I'm going to add getting the Opus of his works to the list of things I'll treat myself to when I get a million subs!
Subscribing to you (with the bell) in case you ever wish to share your own work or stories 💎
@@brianmangan3524 I totally agree regarding your comments about nudes in other media. A photograph of a statuesque human form seems to be taken lightly compared to "classical" forms like oil paints and sculptured stone. The amount of nude forms on show in most museums and major European tourist sites is huge, and they are always well regarded. But show one photo of a scantily clad female form, although posed artistically, and people lose their reason and make harsh judgements. It seems that the classical forms are praised as objects on their own, but the fact that we can see the subject in a photograph, and not a depiction of them, seems to devalue the image entirely, and relegate it into the deepest darkest recesses of pop culture - a state that can be taken to mean "less than". Surely an actual image of the form you're trying to capture is more impactful than the artistic portrayal of that form, if that's what you're going after, and should be included among the highest of art forms. As with most things arty it'll probably be a few decades before the art of photography is given as much weight as paintings and sculpture.
@@ThunderboltWisdom Once upon a time (the late '70 to mid-90's?...) most of the really GREAT photo images of people (portraiture, but not in the now accepted term of: photos of everyday people...) came from the Rock photographers (well actually the "RAWK" guys, and the Goth scene shooters...), the fashion-as-sex images commercial work, and the Fetish photographers!!!...
All the "Rolling Stone" people (Lebovitz, Mick Rock, etc...), the rock magazine shooters (Neil Zlozower, Fin Costello, Ross Halfin, Mark Weiss, etc...) and the Fetish/Nude/Goth shooters (Mapplethorpe, Carlos Clarke-here, Helmut Newton, Scott Church, etc...) made images that were published to capture and often "shock" (so mildly, when looked upon now...) the viewer but leave a sense of the darker but deeper side of our Fashion/Pop/Music/Sexual culture, and the lasting impact is shown again in these video retrospectives/re-introductions...
I am really glad this channel is looking back with an "artistic eye" on so many of the images and the photographers who were shaping and expanding our visual lexicon, outside of the glossy men's/women's/fashion publications of their times...
Just saying...📸🤓😎
When I was studying photography in university, I challenged our course director on the nature of actually making it in the kind of 'for the art book, art buyers or exhibitions' avenues we were being nudged towards when it seemed to just be wealthy folk or well networked curators deciding on certain works to be worthy of support based on seemingly poorly formed critique or even arbitrary whims.
He thought a little and ultimately said 'Its a game. It is a game and you choose wether or not to play it.'
That was the mental moment I 'walked away' from the idea of pursuing this kind of work and moved towards cinematography... and honestly, while not perfect in how it relates to merit, it has been so much healthier.
One of the issues that bothered Bob, at the time, was that he felt the monetary value of his studio was worth more than his work. Bob had been a customer of mine at Leeds PV and KJP/Calumet and I had been talking to him to see if we could feature him in the Calumet Focus flyer later on in 2006.
I loved his work from the first time I saw it in the 70s. Amazing feel to his portraits, combined with such technique. The half tones, the rich detail, the high contrast. He did it all so well.
I had the honour of meeting Bob and arranging a talk with him for the London Portrait Group. We had some great times together where he introduced me to a lot of the greats .
Years after he passed his widowed wife asked me to photograph her wedding with the proviso that it be shot entirely in Monochrome and there were no posed images on the day.
It’s as you say, quite remarkable that none of his work is collected by the major art galleries here in the U.K..
His artwork is every bit as creative as Helmut Newton, who in Berlin has an entire gallery dedicated to him.
Hopefully someone of some influence will watch this and wake up. Thanks for shining a light on his work, it’s a brilliant peek
Into his life, and the era in which he worked.
Helmut was at another level! He also had the best models, stylists, hair & makeup working with him!
You have to create a bunch of artificial value to sell to money launderers if you want to make it into galleries. What do you think this video is for?
@@evrythingis1 That isn’t true.
@@thethirdman225 You've been had. Only pretend galleries run by boomer women operate for any other reason.
I must admit I was not a fan of the Helmut Newton foundation when I went. Maybe it's just because the trip was immediately preceded by me visiting an exhibition of Linda McCartney's work, whose photography spoke to me much more.
i was a huge fan of his in the 90s when i was learning photography at college, i won an award at the end of year show and he turned up to present it! i was literally speechless... his work continued to echo in my own for years to come... but ironically i hadn't followed him or his work as time passed, and i was unaware of the tragic circumstance of his death... this video goes some way to bringing his work to a wider audience... thank you, RIP Bob x
Thanks for watching
Fabulous photographer. Depression is a horrible and misunderstood condition that many do not understand. Such a shame that it eventually got the better of him.
As someone with experience working in the dark room I am blown away by the effects he was able to achieve. The dedication and love for his craft is clearly evident.
Today, I walked past his grave. I had never heard of him before, but his name stood out, so I did some research. I can't believe that the images I remember seeing as a teenager were his. I'm already fascinated because I adore his work. As an artist, I can resonate with how he felt about the art world, as I'm currently feeling the same way. While I'm not suicidal, I've just had enough of it. I admire his work, and he's from Cork, just like my Dad. I feel there's a reason for finding him today.🖤Blessing to his family x
Wow Alex! This is definitely one of your best videos I've seen. Something different and I think very inspirational. Bob was a genius . Those few images you showed really struck me , this video has really motivated me. Well done , keep up the great work 👏👏👏
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the first time I have come across Bob Carlos Clarke. Thank you for informing me about this talented artist.
I also remember "devouring" the images from Bob Carlos-Clarke in the pages of Amateur Photographer! Am exceptional talent.
I worked in London as a photographer's assistant back in the day. I met Bob Carlos Clarke and have an original signed print. Apart from my camera, it's probably my most treasured possession. I was heartbroken when I heard he's died. I was looking at White Heat only the other day.
I met Bob in the early ‘90s and did a short course with him in his Tite Street studio. He changed the way I did ‘model’ portraits by reducing the shutter speed of my camera to 1/60th of a second to introduce a little blur - fascinating! Years later I owned a fashion magazine called Scene and he did a shoot for it. Much as I liked Bob, I found him ‘dark’, the opposite of David Bailey who also shot for my magazine. In my humble opinion, the best known photographs taken by Bob reflect his own personality, whereas Bailey’s portraits reflect the subject’s personality. This is a major difference. However, there is no doubt that Bob was a simply brilliant printer, and he taught me a great deal. I was very sad the day he passed, not just because I knew him, but because he contributed something different to the art of photography, and for this he deserves being remembered.
Bob Carlos Clark was one of the photographers I admired when I was first learning photography. Very sorry to hear how his life ended. I often wonder what happened to all those photographers I admired all those years ago.
Bob was a charming man as well as a great photographer. I was lucky enough to work with him when I worked in the UK photographic industry. He was always most appreciative of the support we gave him, providing equipment and helping with exhibitions. Undoubtedly the most rock and roll guy I've ever met and someone who it was a privilege to know.
My ex wife and I had a huge library of books between us……when we separated, one of the first things I grabbed was my copy of Dark Summer before she could get her hands on it!
As a young, traditional artist, I was definitely influenced by Bob Carlos Clarke’s work, so it was great to see this post in my feed. Thank you so much!
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Admired his work since I first saw his article's in Amateur Photographer in the mid 80's. His images had such power and feeling behind them. This video is a great tribute to him, thank you.
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I have a treasured copy of White Heat. The real sadness for me is that he could have overcome his situation by running workshops on Black and White photography, darkroom technique, printing, colour toning and many other aspects of photography to other generations. Master Photographer, Master Darkroom Printer. We lost so much when he made that tragic choice.
It's trashy to suggest that suicide victims could have done something about it.
Theese photos captured a time that will never return. And they are gorgeous. Thank you for showing.
Thank you for this remembrance, Alex! I was looking for the Dress to Kill series and I wanted to know who photographed it and took me several days of googling and searching to find out that he was Bob Carlos Clarke. I love that series and I saw a very few other photos by him and tried to get something more about him, in vain. Now, thanks to you and this video, I know more and especially appreciate his works even more. This was really a due and beautiful act to keep his name and memory alive!
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@@ThePhotographicEye by the way, don't you know whether the moving picture version of Dressed to Kill ad came from Clarke, too? I like that, too! (You know, the elegant lady arriving to a helicopter in an Audi, and the technician at the rear rotor...)
The Kitkat Ad is one of those wonderful shots that wasn’t great for it’s intended purpose, but tells us so much about the artistic style of the time rather than the sterile commercial environment.
Thank you for introducing me to Bob Carlos Clark. I was not familiar with his work, and it's just fantastic. So sad that he was unappreciated during his life.
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Incredible work. A real photographer. Lately all these so called “UA-cam photographers” spend all their time shooting f/1.4 lenses and blowing out the background. Irrelevant photography. Not artists. Work like Bob Carlos Clarke’s is timeless.
Once more Alex you you introduce us to more than the exposure triangle or the latest "must have". Thank you
His grave, that was shown in your video is in West Brompton Cemetery which is one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian cemeteries as indeed is Highgate. A sad end to his life but now resting in a beautiful place which is well worth visiting if you are an West London.
I love these photographs, they are absolutely gorgeous.
How is it even possible they were not recognized at the time....?
The Joanne Lumley in latex Polaroid shot is absolutely fabulous. (Pun thoroughly intended,.) It makes an icon somehow even more iconic.
I only know of Bob Carlos Clarke from the artwork and poster associated with BIKE magazine in the 1970’s. Never before had anyone seen such style in a motorcycle magazine which prior to that time was completely mundane. RIP Bob, you brought style to motorcycling that has stayed in my mind ever since.
The Little Black Galley in Chelsea has all his archive I believe and you can buy prints / originals from them .
Thank you for continually introducing the work of a wide variety of artists to inspire us.
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Thanks for this Alex. I only met Bob a few times, but I knew him as a great photographer and a warm and gracious guy. We shared the pages of Amateur Photographer's Erotica Special several times. I was proud to be invited to contribute to his obituary by AP.x
I just love your videos, as a newbie to photography who has taken up photography due to my own mental health issues I love discovering interesting photographers. At present Sebastiao Salgardo, Saul Leiter and know Bob Carlos Clark are my top 3 people to learn more about.
I met Bob in a night club in London in the mid 90’s, I chatted with him for a while when he found out I was looking for work as an assistant. He offered to let me come along to some of his shoots….To this day I have no idea why I didn’t take him up on the kind offer. I think my photography career would have been very different.
My mentor ended up in Bellview in Manhattan. He was dancing down Madison Ave naked in the freezing rain. After he felt better he stayed on as the Hospitals photographer! Oh Boy what a portfolio (all B&W) and top brands! What a fantastic teacher.
I too first came across him through AP as a teenager. He and Blondie have a lot to answer for. Many years later I bought signed 2nd hand copies of White Heat and The Dark Summer through Abebooks the week before he took his own life. Their value there went 10x instantly and it made me feel incredibly sad that it took such an event to make him more recognised for his incredible talent and worth.
A fantastic photographer and printer. This video does him more justice than any other I've seen. I had two of his books, but had to sell them to pay some family bills a few years back. Still gutted about that. But I have a very nice small catalogue from an exhibition at MPW's restaurant. One of my most treasured positions. The full sized prints are wonderful to see. They really are stunning.
Very cool!
What a great tribute to this Artist.
I discovered your channel quite recently and I think it’s become my favourite photography YT channel. I really appreciate the fact that you don’t treat photography as just another academic subject or from a mere technical point of view but instead share thoughts and passion and stories about how to live through this art and get inspired by incredible artists. Every new video is both thrilling and very inspirational. Please keep up the outstanding work.
Lovely tribute, I worked with Bob and Patrick Lichfield in the 90's, two fine photographers who taught me so much in different ways. With Bob I'll never forget the first day with multiple cameras, different film speeds and processing, and you had to pass him the camera, with correct aperture ready to go, while reloading and marking the last roll with the correct push / pull.. now there was pressure! Good times ; )
I keep clicking linked videos at the end rewatching your videos and enjoying the whole thing again!! There's so much to learn and so many artists to learn from, I appreciate all the work you put into these!
This is a beautiful homage to a brilliant and treasured artist for whom life itself was tragically insufferable. I feel sad wondering how that final decision came to be.
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A true hero to me and an amazing talent. Fired from his fantastic column in AP for calling Chris Packham a peacock haired prick. Bob was right. We all lost something for AP’s lack of back bone to support it’s columnists.
Thank you for exploring this man's life and works. It's a coincidence but I was just reading an article about a series of photographers who took their own lives, that mentioned Bob Clark and the South African photographer Kevin Carter.
Wow! I haven't heard of him before. What beautiful images. I would LOVE to get one of his books. Thanks for spotlighting him.
I first came across BCC in the 90's in photography magazines, he still inspires me today and is still one of the best photographers, may he rest in peace
..its tough. Those with much to offer to photography, in any aspect, are often overlooked. I have experienced this my entire working photographic life.
I was in the photo 'industry' in London from the late 60's to the late 70's and Bob's work always always always fascinated me. What a sad loss he was. Thanks for the reminder.
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Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎
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When I got into photography BCC was one of my favourite photographers I loved his prints they just popped out at me his images were striking and still are he was a genius and sadly missed but his legacy will live forever
Shooting for "men's magazines" I'm sure had something to do with him not getting the recognition. Probably a cautionary tale still applicable today, sadly. Wonderful photographer nonetheless.
:-(
First time I have come across his work .... very unique ... obviously a great artist
Gorgeous stuff! This is so sad. Such talent. RIP
Very succinct. “You shoot for the sale or you shoot for the soul.” ❤️
Love your video so a big thank you. Your favorite BCC photograph called 'Mourning Dress" with model Debby Carr has been in a frame on my wall for nearly 40 years! As you can imagine, it's my fovorite too. I own the book The Dark Summer and it's superb. Grtz from The Netherlands.
Thank you for sharing this photographer with us! Lovely images. Makes me wonder why Helmut Newton seemed to be able to avoid the pitfalls of edgy photography...
In the 1970s Bob Carlos Clarke did quite a few photo shoots for the motorcycling magazine Bike, that were pretty stunning for the time. This was before he grew famous enough to concentrate on celebrities and latex-clad women.
In the early 80's I used to work in the Film and Photography dept of Zwemmer's Art Bookshop, just off Cambridge Circus- I used to devour all those BCC expensive books you mentioned, during my lunch break...
I’ve been a big fan of his work from the moment like you, I saw his work in Amateur Photographer. Thank you for such a warm and enthusiastic piece about him…he deserves it.
My pleasure!
And just today I was beginning to become bored with photography, yet once again you snap me back to reality. The Crying Model is absolutely beautiful.
Awesome
I was just getting into photography when I discovered Bob Carlos Clarke’s work in the amazing photo book section of Powell’s Bookstore. I was mesmerized by his portraits. So sad that he didn’t see any other way forward. Thanks for the thoughtful segment :)
Just today I was thinking that I was becoming bored with photography, and then I found something different to shoot, a reflective still on the water, I have not edited it yet as I wanted to let it sit for a while, then I see this video and again you give me a helpful kick in the pants, I do appreciate you so much.
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Thanks for the video, wonderful way to explain these wonderful photos, great passion.
So rare to see a video of this great photographer once saw him Manchester doing a slide show of his work ,the most charismatic charming immensely talented man ,great video keep them coming
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Beautiful introduction to this artist. Thank you.
Total respect to you for your appraisal of Bob's work and to the memory of Bob himself. I was turned onto his work in the early 80's. I love photography but I am more of a visual artist and I wanted to see if I could recreate his amazing images with just some
coloured pencils. The ideas, skill and creativity were his. I just used his influence and adopted a different visual technique. It is a tragedy that he was unable to come to terms with the advent of digital photography. Perhaps if he gave himself the chance to embrace how it could enhance rather than detract from his image making we would still be able to experience his genius today. He will forever be a hero of mine and you should be rightfully applauded for a touching, poignant and informative tribute thank you.
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I had the pleasure of meeting Bob in the 80s at an Ilford road show in Edinburgh, like you I was and I am still a fan of his work.
Thanks for sharing this video and RIP Bob 😢
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Thanks, Alex. Yes, some of his images seem "stereotypical" for the '90s, but I think that is more because so many of his images were "copied" by others so much that they became a meme. The model at the 4:29 looks like she could be the inspiration for Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) in Blade Runner 2049.
His photos are not only black/white, they are Black And White, even the coloured ones.
Remarkable images that show and let you feel the soul of the model and the photographer.
While staged, they also feel natural.
And some scenes are full of humour, and still modest, in a way.
It’s indeed a tragic story to hear. Glad to have seen some of his work.
Wonderful upload, beautifully made on an exceptional person; thanks!
Thoughtful look at a great and largely forgotten photographer. Once, back in the 20thC, I had to order a BCC book on loan from the British Library (this was in the days when we had a proper library service of course) for group study. The work was accepted for what it was and no eyebrows were raised. Can you imagine the faux outrage today? Good video. Thanks Alex.
Thank you
WOW! This man was a genius! I love his work
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Thank you for turning me on to Bob's talent.
Our pleasure!
Bob Carlos Clarke is one of my all time favourite photographers and inspired me to get into photography.
Thank you so much Alex for making and sharing this great video! Loved it! Good luck!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I remember the AP days - I wasn't a huge fan then, but I'm coming toi appreciate him more through the images you show from time to time - but it did feel at the time that he was carrying all before him - just shows how wrong the impressios you get can be. I hate that that soul or sale thing exists - but maybe it's success now or success later when the world catches up with you.
I don’t understand why his work doesn’t get more exposure Iove to see a exhibition of it all
I have an old copy of "Bike" magazine from about 1977, with some photos by (you guessed it) Bob Carlos Clarke. Excellent, they are.
Hello Alex. I just found your channel - lovely piece on Mr. Clarke. I'm looking forward to exploring your video archive. Take care and good shooting!
Awesome, thank you for watching
One of my original favourite photographers too. Had all of his books
Wow. Cool video. I forget that my childhood was spent in a darkroom.
I love the Phantasmagoria cover photo, and I'm so glad I've found who made it!
Reminds me of what I am going through as a filmmaker in the UK.
Amazing photographer , thanks for the Video. I have been to that crossing and paid my respect.
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Very 1990s. I heard about his death in the train station. He was very much a film and darkroom manipulation photograhper, so I can imagine that digital was a struggle for him.
Nice one Alex, what an amazing photographer and a master in the Dark Room. Sad that he had such a troubled mind and I am sure he still had much to give.
Absolutely
Damn I will give you a like just for leading with that shot of Rachel Weiss!
So many of those fabulous images I've seen before, but completely forgotten. Thanks for bringing them back!
My pleasure!
Never heard of him prior, and I'm a commercial guy/67. But, his talent is undeniable- even though the masses were unaware. That UNacceptance commercially is what crushed him.
Bob was my hero, i still have all those articles from Amateur Photographer along with some of his books and three limited edition prints. I got to meet him at a show in Dublin once and get my copy of the Dark Summer signed by the great man. I loved his printing style you could tell a BCC print a mile of. Sadly he has been overlooked since his death which is a great shame. Thanks for putting this together.
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Bob was an amazing photographer. I like you first saw his work in AP. The forks photograph I remember well. Such a shame the way he took his own life. R.I.P Bob.
Thank you for introducing me to Bob Carlos’s work. His story touches me. I have dabbled in photography that deals with the “outer fringes”, leather, vinyl etc. as well as traditional portraiture. While I’ve never worked in a dark room and have only shot digital I have wrestled with my own demons regarding my art. It’s a dark place. How much longer can I rage against the darkness? I am not sure.
Ohh that interview with Bob at 8.34 is sooo relevant today, at 61 years of age I've finally taken the advice he talks about, started to enjoy my photography, getting creative and expressing myself. The downside of commercial work sneaks up on you until one day you realise that to 'them' you're just another guy with a camera.
Funnily enough I was looking at my signed copy of Obsession yesterday along with PhotoGraphics by Sam Haskins. Awesome photography. Inspiring. Another great video, thank you
Cowboy Kate! What's Obsession??
@@quentincrisp6933 Obsession was a book Bob published in the early eighties. Cowboy Kate is awesome, from early 60's I think. PhotoGraphics was later, mainly Sam's color work with a lot photo manipulation .. before computers.
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Enjoyed looking at his work
It’s truly tragic, the politics that go on in commercial photography and the fine arts
Or as one editor proclaimed to me one day it’s not what you know, but who you know
Very touching video and honest remembrance to him. Thank you.
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You are great, thanks for sharing that beautiful material, even better story because of your own words saying it
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Great video.. one of my fav photographers of all time. Is a current subject with a model friend and hopefully something nice comes about from it.
Very cool!
Thanks so much for making this really excellent background video on Bob Carlos Clark, one of my favourite photographers. Such a tragic ending to his life and career.
In 1994 (95?) I was indeed fortunate to meet Bob, in Canberra during a workshop he was conducting over a few days. At the time, I was in my 2nd (3rd?) year of photography studies at Canberra Institute of Technology.
Bob’s workshop was fascinating. But what really blew me away was when his chosen model for the workshop appeared. Her name was Rachael, and a year or so earlier I had photographed her for her first modelling folio! I’d like to think that perhaps my photos of Rachael had led her to be chosen by Bob for his workshop. In the early days, I was shooting quite a lot of modelling folios, to gain experience, commercial exposure, and to have something for my own portfolio.
Apart from the follow-up photos of Rachael that I saw from this workshop (yes… latex), I never again saw any of these published anywhere, even though IMO they were absolutely great images, in the style only Bob Carlos Clarke can produce.
Thanks again for posting your video!
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