Bill Jay

[North Light Press]

Just got word via Mary Virginia Swanson of Dead Link Removed passing in his sleep on Sunday night. RIP Bill!

 

[SuzanneR]

Very sad news...

 

[jgjbowen]

This is so sad. Bill Jay's end notes were one of the highlights of Lenswork. He will be greatly missed.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Very sad news as well. I always looked forward to his pieces in each issue of Lenswork, and realise he made many other contributions as well.

Tom.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Very sad indeed. RIP Bill.

Jeff

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I always enjoyed his take on things.

 

[Michael W]

I first heard of him via the excellent book 'On Being a Photographer' that he co-wrote with David Hurn. It's an excellent read, mostly about documentary projects. I didn't agree with everything they said but I thought they covered all the important points & staked out the territory very well. I suspect I'd be more in agreement with them if I read it again. I recall that Bill was very dismissive of his own photography & deferred a lot to David Hurn as the expert. Then a few years later I saw some of Bill's own photos from his series on photographers and they were very good.

 

[Shawn Rahman]

So very sad.

Over the last few years, I have managed to put together the entire LensWork collection with the hopes of enjoying them throughout the rest of my adulthood & retirement. Bill's EndNotes was always the first thing I read in the newer issues. He will be sorely missed.

 

[papagene]

Many years ago as a grad student at Arizona State University I took Bill Jay's classes on the history of photography. They were some of my favorite courses in my college career. Bill was a great teacher, always so very informative and knowledgeable... and so very entertaining.
His voice will be sorely missed. Thank you Bill and Rest in Peace.

gene

 

[nsurit]

Lunch is one of the times I get to read. I don't usually carry Lenswork with me for fear of getting a bit of soup or grease on it. Today Lenswork and Bill Jay went with me. Bill is always such a joy to read and re-read. Bill will be missed and I'll still be able to revisit him in the work he has writtten over the years.He is such a clear communicator. His contribution to photography will live on. Thank you, Bill, for being who you are. Bill Barber

 

[Toffle]

Thank you, Bill... rest now.

 

[jasonhall]

Sad day....

Jason

 

[rudolf]

Can't believe it...
Very sad news. Great man, I'll miss him.

 

[ooze]

I also loved Bill Jay's end notes. RIP.

 

[eddym]

He will be missed.

 

[munz6869]

I've chortled at, and been inspired by Bill Jay's end notes! I will miss him too.

Marc

 

[Mike Crawford]

Very saddened to hear of Bill Jay's death. Have always found his books very inspirational, especially Occam's Razor and Cyanide and Spirits. I recentley attended a talk by David Hurn who entertained us with his and Bill's adventures from London in the 60s and onwards. He will be greatly missed and I do hope his archive finds a good home as he played a very important part in photography for over 40 years.

 

[jovo]

Rats! I loved reading nearly everything he wrote, including his account of his career in LensWork some time ago. His End Notes were always the first things I read when I got hold of a new issue of the magazine. He will be sorely missed!

 

[Mike Crawford]

Bill Jay Archive at University of Arizona

Looks like his archive is in a good home!
http://www.creativephotography.org/documents/findingAid/AG184Jay.pdf

 

[colrehogan]

I'm sorry to hear about that too. I also enjoyed his columns in Lens Work.

 

[mfophotos]

I think Bill Jay's essays have to be some of the most honest and enjoyable writings about photography. I really loved the end notes in Lenswork, and his essays online are deserving of being downloaded for one to read again and again. I understand he passed away in his sleep -- an envious way to go.

 

[Robert Kerwin]

Very sad news indeed. I loved End Notes, they always brightened my day.

 

[Jim Noel]

Another great friend gone. Dinners with you were always memorable occasions. Go with God!

 

[mjs]

Darn. I really liked his columns and in correspondence he was humorous, energetic, and generous. Miss you already, Bill!

 

[Kimberly Anderson]

I just put down the May/Jun 09 issue and logged onto APUG. Seeing the news is very sad indeed. After hearing how highly regarded he has been by everyone I will go back and re-read the end notes and pay closer attention.