Alan Clarke (1937-1990) was a British photographer and filmmaker who is best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in London, England, and studied photography at the London School of Printing and Graphic Arts.
Clarke's career began in the early 1960s when he worked as a freelance photographer for magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Queen. His work was characterized by its bold use of color and its focus on everyday life. He often used natural light to capture his subjects in their most natural state.
In the late 1960s, Clarke began to experiment with film and video. He directed several documentaries for the BBC, including "Penda's Fen" (1974) and "The Last of England" (1987). His films were often controversial due to their frank depictions of social issues such as racism, poverty, and violence.
In addition to his work in photography and film, Clarke also wrote several books on photography including "The Photograph as Art" (1970) and "Photography: A Personal View" (1977). He also wrote several essays on art theory which were published in various journals.
Clarke's work has been exhibited widely throughout Europe and North America. In 1990 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Art in London. He died later that year at the age of 53.