E-Photo
Issue #133  8/29/2007
 
Ted Jones, Master of The Gum Bichromate Print, Passes Away

I got the quiet, tearful call last Friday from Margot Ihlder, my dear friend Ted Jones' long-time companion and his favorite model. Ted had passed away upon waking up in his bed at home in Falls Church, VA. It was a quiet passing. But I, and many other old friends, had a tougher time losing such a wonderful presence in our lives. I shared several tear-filled hours letting some of his old friends in the photo business know what had happened to this genial giant of a photographer and talking about our memories of Ted.

His memorial service will be held this Friday, August 31, at the Quaker Meeting House, 6410 Georgetown Pike, Mclean, VA at 11 a.m. As Margot told me, "I did find out that there is no air conditioning in the church. If you decide to come, please come without tie and wear something cool. You know how Ted hated ties, et al." She was right. Ted was casual and cared not a hoot for formality or pomposity.

Ted was first an artist of life. But he was also a talented photographer, accomplished sculptor and Emmy-award-winning filmmaker.

Even after heart surgery and 80 years, Ted had a passion for life, photography and experimentation. His keen sense of humor and willingness to share his encyclopedic knowledge about alternative processes endeared him to many, including myself. He was a master printer, particularly in the gum process, where I believe he had no equal--not even the old masters like Demachy, whom he admired. But he also absorbed new digital processes to keep his ideas and work fresh. I had the privilege and pleasure to have represented him and his work, but the greater privilege was to count him as a friend and teacher.

He is survived by Margot, his ex-wife and his five sons and their families.

A more complete biography of his life and many of his photographs are on all our websites, including this one http://www.iphotocentral.com/showcase/showcase_view.php/49/1/0 .