Robert Clark
Evolution
The word Evolution jumps out at us, it scares and divides us. I see it
as something that unites us.
Natural Selection is the mechanism that drives evolution, and the
evidence is everywhere; it surrounds us. I see it in the beautiful
fossils that I first saw in my youth in Western Kansas and in the
stare of a beautifully colored cassowary with its keratin crown. I
have become mesmerized by this connection that unites all.
The keen eye of science that helps in the understanding of the the
structure of our DNA, the building blocks of life, that Watson and
Crick showed us. The evidence lead from the fossils frozen in the past
to the million different kinds of beetles, some that are known to
occur in the sea and in the frozen polar regions. I needed to see the
connection that surrounds us every day and yet goes unnoticed by the
vast majority of the world’s population. Questions started to come:
Where was the largest forest in the world in the past?. The answer:
Saudi Arabia.That oil didn’t make itself. Why do South America and
Africa fit together like puzzle pieces from a child’s map? Because
they were connected at one time. Why do Bonobos and modern humans,
with the obvious differences, share over 99% of the same DNA? Because
we are cousins.
I do not pretend to answer any questions on the subject of Evolution,
but I think that the diversity and the beauty can cause one to stop
and take in the astonishing world we share.
Bio
Robert Clark is a freelance photographer based in New York City, working with the world’s leading magazines, publishers and cutting edge advertising campaigns, as well as the author of four monographs: Evolution A Visual Record, Feathers Displays of Brilliant Plumage, First Down Houston A Year with the Houston Texans and Image America – the first photography book shot solely with a cellphone camera.
His work regularly appears in National Geographic Magazine, and it
> appeared as well in other magazines such: Time, Sports Illustrated, French
> Geo and The New York Times Magazine. During his twenty-year association with National Geographic, Clark has photographed more than 40 stories. His cover article “Was Darwin Wrong?” helped National Geographic garner a National Magazine award in 2005. Early in his career, Clark documented the lives of high school football players for the book Friday Night Lights. In 2003, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston brought Clark back to Texas to capture the first year of the new NFL team, the Houston Texans. Clark recently directed the short film “8 Seconds” as part of an advertorial campaign for Russell Athletic.
Clark lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter, and is the owner of Ten Ton Studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yards.
Related Links
Instagram: @robertclarkphoto
Beautiful images that cause one – me at least – to pause and think about the larger stories behind them. I do wish that every image had been identified by species. I’m curious as to the logic that caused Robert Clark to identify a few, but not the others.
Obviously this is an amazing body of work but I do worry that something is lost not showing these plants and animals in their natural environment. I think the insects in particular have lost something vital with a white background.
The older I get the more I am awed by what we have learned. Who needs time travel? Want an idea of our ancient ancestors? Have a look at the Great Apes. Jurassic Park? Check out the dinosaurs flitting about in your own backyard!
These are wonderful images, a beautiful representation of the idea of evolution by natural selection.
Agree with Bill, though. Don’t understand the caption/no caption approach here.
absolutely brilliant natural history work by THE master….