Ifor Thomas filming, from the Ifor and Joy Thomas Archive.

Did you study photography under Ifor and Joy Thomas? If so, Jack and Rita Tait would like to hear from you. They’re working on an archive project with the National Library of Wales for a major exhibition and, potentially, a documentary film and book.

Ifor and Joy Thomas established the Guildford School of Photography in 1946, running it together until 1976. The school was celebrated for its innovative teaching methods, and former students include John Hedgecoe, Jane Bown, Tessa Traeger and Jack Tait. Tait went on to form his own school, and passed on the Thomas’ approach to photography to Dr Daniel Meadows, Martin Parr and Brian Griffin, among many others.

The Thomas’ approach can be traced back to the Bauhaus – before World War Two Ifor Thomas was head of photography at the Riemann School, which started life in Berlin in 1902 and included former Bauhaus teachers on its staff. Jack and Rita Tait are now researching the Bauhaus connection, and welcome any memories, anecdotes and images from former students. The Taits are also sorting through a large archive of the Thomas’ work and ephemera, which includes nearly 1000 items.

Contact Rita Tait on bronyddrt@btconnect.com, 01497 821 132 or at Elm Cottage, Bronydd, Clyro HR35RX. You can also follow the project by logging onto britishphotohistory.ning.com and searching for “Ifor and Joy Thomas” or “Guildford School of Photography”.

Joy with Gandolphy, from the Ifor and Joy Thomas Archive.