Intro

Michael Spencer Jones is a British art photographer and video director most widely known for his work with 90s english rock groups such as Oasis and The Verve.

Work

Jones started off studying photography and film at the university of Bournemouth, where he gained a distinction . He then moved up to Manchester just as the ‘madchester’ music scene was developing. There he met Tony Wilson of factory records. Wilson introduced Jones to The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, Both groups Jones Photographed in the images below

Although not tableau, these images give us a good idea of his style and approach to his work.

Oasis & The Verve

Jones is most known for his collaborations with britpop giants Oasis and The Verve. Jones shot The Verves iconic album cover for Urban Hymns as seen below

After the success of the album, Jones was directly contacted by Noel Gallagher of Oasis, who had seen the album covers and was drawn to Jones’ Style.  Jones and the group immediately set about shooting the album cover for the groups up and coming debut studio album Definitely Maybe. The series of shots were taken in guitarist Paul Arthur’s House. The final image included motifs that paid homage to stars such as Burt Bacharach, Manchester city player Rodney Marsh and Director Sergio leone. Below are shots from the shoot.

The most Prolific shoot in terms of Tableaux photography by Jones, was the album cover for the groups 3rd Studio Album Be Here Now.

The whole shoot happened at Stocks House in Hertfordshire. The shoot consists of all of the members of the band around a swimming pool with a partly submerged Rolls Royce and various props such as a gramophone, a  moped and an inflatable globe to pay homage to the iconic Definitely Maybe Shoot. Here are a few images from the shoot.