Description

Philip Jones Griffiths was deeply influenced by the humanistic ideals of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Magnum’s co-founder, who thought photography could be of genuine benefit to the progress and wellbeing of mankind. Though he photographed subjects as diverse as Buddhism in Cambodia, droughts in India and poverty in Texas, his sensibility was a continuous thread. Here, he captures a London scene in 1959: Downing Street was open to the public in those days and each afternoon the same nannies would pause to chat up the policemen on duty. Here, he captures a rainy night in Oxford Street where a young couple seek a tender moment in a doorway.

I took delight in being the silent observer in rowdy crowds, the all-too-visible invisible man

Philip Jones Griffiths
© Philip Jones Griffiths | Magnum Photos

Born in Rhuddlan, Wales, Philip Jones Griffiths studied pharmacy in Liverpool and worked in London while photographing part-time for the Manchester Guardian. In 1961, he became a full-time freelancer for the Observer, covering the Algerian War in 1962, in Central Africa, Asia and Vietnam.

Griffiths’ assignments, often self-engineered, have taken him to more than 120 countries. He continued to work for major publications such as Life and Geo on stories such as Buddhism in Cambodia, droughts in India, poverty in Texas, the re-greening of Vietnam, and the legacy of the Gulf War in Kuwait.

Philip Jones Griffiths died at home in West London on 19th March 2008.

© Philip Jones Griffiths | Magnum Photos

Get Magnum news and updates directly to your inbox

Stay in touch
Monthly updates on the latest assignments, photographer projects and collaborations with brands.
Know when our quarterly 7-day square print sale is coming.
Learn about online and offline exhibitions, photography fairs, gallery events, plus fine print news and activities, on a monthly basis.
Get fortnightly tips and advice articles, find out about the latest workshops, free online events and on-demand courses.
Be the first to know about recent Magnum Shop drops. From new books and limited editions, to special offers, you can find it all on the weekly Magnum Shop newsletter.
Stay up to date every Thursday with Magnum photographers’ activities, new work, stories published on the Magnum website, and the latest offerings from our shop.