Photographer Colin Jones has died; 1936-2021

[Diandri]

The Guardian newspaper today has a wonderful 2 page centre spread of black & white photographs taken by Colin Jones during his career (they are in the main paper & not the culture section - so far I've not been able to find the pics on the website edition). He was a dancer for the Royal Ballet in the 1960s before changing career direction & as well as snapping the dancers backstage & on tour he became well known for documenting Britain's urban areas & was nicknamed the "George Orwell of British Photography". He was also married to Lynn Seymour.

 

So far there is no obituary details, but his photos alone show the depths of his talents. RIP to his family.

[Ian Macmillan]

Sad news.  I can't yet find anything on the Guardian site either - at a guess, many of the photos may also be found in his book "Grafters' published in 2002.  It gives a fair idea of his work over the years.   Similarly, this is worth a look:

 

 

A couple of his early photos hang on the wall behind me - my wife and he were colleagues in the RB Touring Company many years ago.

 

Edited to add this Arts Desk feature by Ismene Brown from 2011:

 

https://theartsdesk.com/dance/qa-special-photographer-colin-jones

 

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Ian Macmillan

[Scheherezade]

Wonderful photos, Ian, and what an interesting man; I'd have loved to have met him.

 

My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.