Chip Clark’s Iconic National Museum of Natural History Photos Resurface
Chip Clark joined the team at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History (SI NMNH) in 1973 as a staff photographer. In addition to capturing high speed images of flying insects, researchers in the field, and numerous specimen studies, Chip spent approximately 20 years creating a portfolio of meticulously composed photographs of the SI NMNH’s monumental collection. In an article detailing the story behind the photos, Carol Butler, assistant director of collections at SI NMNH recalls,
“[Clark] thought the collections were fabulous and he wanted to show the inner life of the museum and the richness of the collections.”
Each of the images was carefully composed by Chip and the curators; with the team shifting drawers around when necessary to achieve the right balance of color and form. The time commitment required for each image was substantial according to SI NMNH. The photo of the avian collection, for instance, took 8 hours to prepare prior to shooting.
While the images have been around for several years and were included in the SI NMNH centennial exhibition in 2010-2011 shortly after Chip’s death in June, 2010, they’ve generated considerable renewed-interest this week on Reddit and will likely continue to resurface every couple of years for decades. As Carol Butler aptly observed, “…they’re beautiful but they’re also an example of museum practice, collections management and science. I think that’s why they appeal to so many people.”
A presentation of entomology specimens arranged within one aisle of the Entomology Department compactor collection cabinets at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Designed to illustrate the size and scope of the Entomology collection. May 9, 2006. Featured researchers: Dr. David Furth, Collections Manager; Dr. Ted Schultz, Research Entomologist; Dr. Jonathan Coddington, Senior Scientist; Patricia Gentili-Poole, Museum Technician.
Anthropological collections are displayed in Pod 1 at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland.
The Department of Vertebrate Zoology’s wet collections of fish specimens preserved in alcohol, located at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
Mice from the Department of Vertebrate Zoology’s mammals collections are displayed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
Collections from the Department of Invertebrate Zoology are displayed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Invertebrate Zoology Staff present: Paul Greenhall, Robert Hershler, Ellen Strong, Jerry Harasewych, and Linda Cole.
An assortment of mineral specimens from the Department of Mineral Sciences’ collections are displayed in the storage vault known as the “Blue Room,” at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Mineral Sciences staff present are (left) Paul Pohwat, Collections Manager of Minerals, and (right) Russell Feather, Collections Manager of Gems.
Anthropological collections on display in Pod 4 (designed to house oversized objects) at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Support Center (MSC), located in Suitland, Maryland. Anthropology collections staff present. Panoramic image #7 of 7 at 26mm focal length.
Whale skeletons from the Department of Vertebrate Zoology’s marine mammals collections are displayed in storage at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum Support Center (MSC), located in Suitland, Maryland.
A view of one part of the Paleontology collection in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Musuem of Natural History, arranged by the addition of representative specimens from other parts of the three floors of fossils in the East Wing. Staff: Dr. Scott Wing, Chairman of the Department of Paleontology.
Botanical collections are displayed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. Botany staff present are Dr. David Bruce Lellinger (left, front), Carol Kellof (right, middle), and Rusty Russell (left, back).
The Botany Department Herbarium at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, displaying algae specimens, including coraline algae, wet specimens and the usual herbarium sheets. Featured researchers: Dr. James Norris (right, front), his research assistant Bob Sims (left, front), and associate researcher, Katie Norris (left, back).