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Born in 1941 in Wells, Somerset, Tony Ray-Jones trained in graphic design in London before moving to the United States from 1961 to 1965. On his return to the UK, he was struck by the growing influence of North America, especially the popularity of US films, TV shows and music. He swiftly embarked on a project capturing aspects of traditional English culture, which seemed at risk of disappearing forever. Ray-Jones photographed seaside resorts and events such as festivals and shows. He also documented life in London’s streets, including markets, fairs and children playing.

Equipped with a 35mm Leica M camera, which he would hide inside his raincoat, Ray-Jones’s depictions of the world around him were unstaged and spontaneous. He was attuned to moments when different social classes and communities came together. Recording his subjects with sensitivity, he photographed what he called ‘their habits and their way of life, and the ironies that exist in the way they do things.’

Ray-Jones developed a striking and distinctive visual style. His photographic career spanned just over a decade, yet his observational work influenced a generation of photographers that followed him. Ray-Jones said photography can be a mirror, reflecting life as it is, but ‘I have tried to show the sadness and humour in a gentle madness that prevails in people.’