BPH has just learnt of the passing of Sidney Ray last year and it is important we remember such significant figures from British photography. Sidney Ray, who died last year aged 85 years, was a lecturer at the Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) for many years and a respected authority on photographic optics and technology.
Born in Aberdeen, he was educated at Owen’s School, Northern Polytechnic and City University, where he gained a degree in Chemistry and a Masters in physiological optics. His career began in 1960 at Johnsons of Hendon as a photographic chemist, before he joined PCL, now the University of Westminster, in 1966. He taught on Britain’s first honours degree for photographic technology. As senior lecturer he focused on optical systems and visual perception with responsibility for applied photography on the BSc course in Photographic and Electronic Imaging Sciences.
His book High Speed Photography and Photonics was commended in the 1998 Kraszna-Krausz book awards and its follow-up Scientific Photography and Applied Imaging won the main prize in 2000. These, his Photographic Optics and others, went through multiple editions becoming standard works on their subjects. With fellow PCL luminaries Ralph Jacobson and Geoffrey Attridge he co-authored the updated [Ilford] Manual of Photography. Many of his publications appeared under the Focal Press imprint. He wrote regularly for the British Journal of Photography.
Sidney gained his Associateship of the IIP in 1967 and then its Fellowship along with two Fellowships of the Royal Photographic Society and one from the Master Photographers Association.
Sidney had a personal interest in the history of photographic optics. In 1989 he presented a paper on this area at the RPS Historical Group’s 1989 conference for photography’s sesquicentennial commemoration which is when I first met him and he was later supportive with my PhD. His work in the field of photographic optics and wider technology was recognised by the RPS in 2001 with an Honorary Fellowship.
Sidney Ray was married and had two children.
Sidney Frank Ray (5 October 1939-18 March 2025)
Comments
So sorry to hear Sid Ray has moved onwards. So aptly named for his enthusiasm and light.
He taught us well in our white lab coats developing grey scales then plotting characteristic curves in our lab book at Regent Street Poly on the Photography course from 1968. The knowledge certainly went in. He was a generous and kind teacher with his joy for the subject always shinning through. Condolances to his family and loved ones.
I am very sorry to learn of Sidney Ray's passing. Thank you for sharing the news and a biography. Sid was kind enough to send me his reflections on the photo processing industry when he read my book on photo-processors' print wallets (which he also collected). He was then generous in sharing insights about photography in Soho in the late 1960s when he worked in central London (and took fantastic photos of street scenes). I found him such an interesting, generous and humble person (by email; we sadly never met).
He was one of my lecturers a long time ago on the PCL PhotoScience course. He was also a practical photographer and I still remember him showing some stereo photographs of fountains as an interesting demonstration of stero photography. I have some of his books on my shelves. As others have said, he will be missed.
Applied Photographic Optics sits on my bookshelf, and has helped me often when tutoring. He will be missed.
Sad news indeed about Sid's passing.
I was in the first class of the Photographic Technology Diploma course (later a degree course) at Regent Street Polytechnic and Sid was one of our teachers in the 2nd or 3rd years. It must have been his first experience of teaching (only 6 years older than me) and he was so enthusiastic for his subject. He was always positive and looking on the bright side, and since I went on to a career in (mainly) optics, he must have made an impression on me!
Chris Dainty
That is very sad about Sid. He was also a very caring person with a great sense of humour and as an overseas student from Australia, he sort of took me under his wing. He was also very professional, we enjoyed a pint together but only after I had graduated. I hope his aattitude has continued.
Dr John Davies ARPS