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in Memoriam

Chip Clark

Photographer

Smithsonian Institution

Gems and Minerals

            It was a shock to receive word that Chip Clark has passed away. It was unexpected, and happened at his home on June 12, 2010. Everyone at the Smithsonian Institution, and all of us who knew him, are feeling the incredible loss of a good friend and colleague.

I had interviewed Chip just two weeks ago in preparation for our upcoming 10-part mini-series on “The Wittelsbach-Graff and Hope Diamonds: An Evening with the Blues.” Watching Chip work that night, taking pictures of the two blue diamonds will be forever memorable for me. A true master at getting the right shot, Chip offered his lighting and staging to me once he was finished, so I could take my own glamour shot of the Hope and Wittelsbach-Graff. Needless to say, I jumped right in and captured that classic “Chip Clark image” (well, almost). It was a great moment! Who wouldn’t have wanted Chip Clark to be their Key Grip?

Chip was a staff photographer and an integral part of the research team for the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History. As the museum’s website notes, “his official title ‘Scientific and Studio Photographer’ understates the range of his assignments and techniques, including macrophotography, high speed and time lapse cinematography, and imaging in the infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. His atypical studio subjects included dinosaurs, mummies, living insects, skulls, famous blue diamonds, and the occasional grumpy scientist. On scientific expeditions, Chip found himself photographing caves in Jamaica and Guatemala, coral reefs in Belize and Cuba, the Amazonian rainforest of Peru, Kwakiutl ceremonial dances in British Columbia, and street folk artists in India.

“He had a B.Sc. in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and has worked for NASA (Langley AFB), taught high school (Newport News, Virginia) and does freelance photo assignments for the National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, and the publishers of Scientific American.”

In a letter directed to the Smithsonian staff after Chip’s passing, Cristián Samper, Director of the National Museum of Natural History, wrote:

            “Chip joined our Museum community in 1972 and touched the lives of many people across the Smithsonian during his almost 38 years of service.  He had an extraordinary talent for photography, and through his images recorded field expeditions, collections, exhibitions and educational programs.

“He played a critical role in disseminating our work to millions of people over the years, and his iconic images will no doubt continue to be used by all of us to convey our mission and identity.  Those of us who had the fortune of spending some time with him also appreciated his positive attitude and sense of humor.

“In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions on his behalf  to WETA or WAMU (our local PBS television and radio stations) and the National Speleological Society. One of Chip’s favorite programs was NOVA and he listened to NPR radio every morning.  He was an avid caver and cave photographer and long standing member of the NSS.”

Among his achievements, Clark also shot many of the now famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show posters. My own all- time favorite is the “Candelabra,” San Diego tourmaline on quartz, photographed for the 1984 TGMS.