A big thank you to Jake Chessum who filmed Ralph Gibson and Anna Ray Jones for us yesterday in New York. Below: Tony Ray Jones in Anna’s apartment.
John Benton Harris
Above: It was a pleasure to meet with John Benton Harris last Saturday and talk about Bill. The image above left was taken of John by Bill and featured in the book Photographers Photographed.
Homer Sykes and Sue Davies OBE
Thank you to photographer Homer Sykes and founder of the Photographer’s Gallery, London, Sue Davies OBE for sharing their memories of Bill, Creative Camera, Album and the Do Not Bend Gallery with us yesterday.
MV Swanson
We were also able to speak with and film innovator, educator, author, advisor and entrepreneur in the field of photography MV Swanson ‘Swanny’ Monday in New York. She was not only one of Bill’s first students at Arizona State she was also a close friend and supporter of Bill’s. We’d like to thank her for her support for the film and in helping us connect with other people in Bill’s life.
Alex Webb
A big thank you to Magnum photographer Alex Webb who made himself available to be filmed in Prospect Park, Brooklyn on Monday by Jake Chessum. Alex shared his memories of Bill and spoke about his impact on his work and fellow photographers.
Martin Parr talks Bill Jay and Bill Brandt
Patrick Ward
Every time we speak with someone about their memories of Bill we glean an insight into Bill’s relationship with photography and his life however small that may sometimes be. That was certainly the case after our conversation with Patrick Ward this morning, the twenty second interview we have conducted as part of our ongoing research.
Daniel Meadows
We spent a wonderful morning with Daniel Meadows discussing the influence of Bill Jay on his work and career. Daniel was in the same class as Martin Parr at Manchester Polytechnic where Bill gave a talk in 1971 that influenced Daniel and Martin in the ways in which they viewed photography. Another great interview for the film, thanks Daniel!
Daniel Meadows
We will be filming Daniel Meadows next Monday reflecting on Bill’s evangelical lecturing approach to photography that so inspired Daniel as a student in 1971 when Bill presented the work of photographers Benjamin Stone, Art Kane and Tony Ray Jones amongst others . Daniel was in the same lecture as Martin Parr and fellow Manchester Polytechnic student Brian Griffin.
Martin Parr
A big thanks to Martin Parr (left) who let us into his home yesterday and allowed us to film him talking about the influence Bill Jay had on the early development of his work. Our conversation centered around a particular talk Bill gave at Manchester Polytechnic that Martin attended in the Autumn of 1971, whilst still a student and where Bill introduced Martin and his fellow students to the work of Tony Ray Jones.
Martin was supportive of our film and even made some suggestions as to where and how it might be first screened. Watch this space for more details concerning this!