
Dafydd Jones has worked worldwide as an events photographer since the 1981 when he was hired by Tina Brown to photograph balls, debutante dances and weddings for the Tatler magazine where he worked until 1989. Since then he has continued to work for many magazines and newspapers including Vanity Fair based in New York.
The exhibition at Art Bermondsey Project Space showcases a collection of traditional darkroom prints from Jones’ art college years onwards. It includes photographs from the Tatler Years, Hollywood parties and New York society. All printed in black and white.
I miss the darkroom, so partly did these for the pleasure of spending time printing again,’ says Jones. ‘I used to do all my own developing. In the 80s and 90s, I’d be in the darkroom every day. The first obstacle to printing again was that I’d given away all my equipment. I found that one of the last community darkrooms in the country was near where I live in Hastings.
‘I went back through my film pictures choosing the ones to print. The selection was entirely subjective. I wanted to revisit these old pictures and do a new edit. I mainly chose particular favourites but also some pictures had stayed in my head over the years. This isn’t a definitive selection from that period as there are many more. I printed six boxes in my favourite size, 11×14 inches.
Kate Moss & Johnny Depp. Kate Moss book party. James Danziger Gallery. Prince St. New York. 11 September 1995. Film 95378f2 © Copyright Photograph by Dafydd Jones 66 Stockwell Park Rd. London SW9 0DA Tel 0171 733 0108 Carolyne Roehne at Vreeland memorial, 1989© Copyright Photograph by Dafydd Jones 66 Stockwell Park Rd. London SW9 0DA Tel 020 7733 0108 www.dafjones.com
photos by Alice Cox