Deleted member 88956
While a photographer, Billy Jay is mostly known and admired for his writings on photography.
And it was not just any writing. There was wit, freedom of thought, and most importantly - unparalleled insight. There was of course controversy and had he lived to this day, he would have likely run into scrutiny over opinions no longer compatible with the cancel culture. But I'd prefer not to put politics into his great contribution into better understanding of photography as medium and its powerful presence in everyday life.
I came across his writing in the EndNotes column of Lens Work magazine. His passing in 2009 led to Lens Work's issue #83 "The Best of Billy Jay's EndNotes" , a volume I'd recommend to anyone with even remote interest in photography and philosophy.
Brooks Jensen ended preamble to #83 with the following:
" photography may have had more famous champions in its history, but none more prolific, none more entertaining, none more insightful, none more honest"
I cannot think of a better and this concise a way to summarize Billy Jay's legacy, luckily left to all of us for life long enjoyment.
The best part to me was how briefly he could throw across his point of view with little to no room left for interpretation of what he meant. He was indeed as honest in his thoughts as one could possibly be. And he had no reasons to hide it, as that is what made him so admired by so many.
Without trying to spoil the reading, here are a few quick passages of BJ's:
"a critic is one who owns a car, but has nowhere to go"
"an experienced landscape photographer is one who could shoot on infrared film but doesn't"
"the average photographer thinks he isn't"
He once (at least) did not forget to mention how a use of the word "existence" in an article of his, was furthered by editor in attempt to help readers with better understanding (by quoting a French intellectual):
"existence, as a process of deterritorialisation, is a specific intermechanic operation which superimposes itself on the promotion of singularized existential intensities. It is barely livable" (in EndNotes BJ commented: and totally incomprehensible).
He could not stand "simplified" English or any attempt to complicate simple matters.
And there is also a great collaboration between Billy Jay and David Hurn in "On Being a Photographer".
And it was not just any writing. There was wit, freedom of thought, and most importantly - unparalleled insight. There was of course controversy and had he lived to this day, he would have likely run into scrutiny over opinions no longer compatible with the cancel culture. But I'd prefer not to put politics into his great contribution into better understanding of photography as medium and its powerful presence in everyday life.
I came across his writing in the EndNotes column of Lens Work magazine. His passing in 2009 led to Lens Work's issue #83 "The Best of Billy Jay's EndNotes" , a volume I'd recommend to anyone with even remote interest in photography and philosophy.
Brooks Jensen ended preamble to #83 with the following:
" photography may have had more famous champions in its history, but none more prolific, none more entertaining, none more insightful, none more honest"
I cannot think of a better and this concise a way to summarize Billy Jay's legacy, luckily left to all of us for life long enjoyment.
The best part to me was how briefly he could throw across his point of view with little to no room left for interpretation of what he meant. He was indeed as honest in his thoughts as one could possibly be. And he had no reasons to hide it, as that is what made him so admired by so many.
Without trying to spoil the reading, here are a few quick passages of BJ's:
"a critic is one who owns a car, but has nowhere to go"
"an experienced landscape photographer is one who could shoot on infrared film but doesn't"
"the average photographer thinks he isn't"
He once (at least) did not forget to mention how a use of the word "existence" in an article of his, was furthered by editor in attempt to help readers with better understanding (by quoting a French intellectual):
"existence, as a process of deterritorialisation, is a specific intermechanic operation which superimposes itself on the promotion of singularized existential intensities. It is barely livable" (in EndNotes BJ commented: and totally incomprehensible).
He could not stand "simplified" English or any attempt to complicate simple matters.
And there is also a great collaboration between Billy Jay and David Hurn in "On Being a Photographer".