Press Photographers at Play

Leslie Jones was a Boston photojournalist, working for the Boston Herald for 39 years in the early to mid-twentieth century. He (and his friends) also really, wonderfully, liked taking silly pictures. 

Photos from 1920s-1950s, with more specific dates when noted. 

More of Jones' (serious) work here. 

Boston Public Library

Jones and a young fellow photographer in just a normal handshake, 1936. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones getting action with a mannequin, 1935. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones and pal posing for the camera. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones being weird. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones in a horse suit. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones, pals, and a camera with a milk bottle lens, 1929. Source

Boston Public Library

Fellow Boston Herald photographers posing for the camera. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones with a Speed Graphic and banana. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones with a fur cap and antlers. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones and fellow photographers having a waffle-eating contest, 1927. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones in a bit of pre-Photoshop Photoshop. Source

Boston Public Library

Fellow photographers showing the new flash equipment just what they think of it (that gesture is essentially an early 20th C version of the finger), 1933. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones playing with a fake hand in the Herald darkroom. Source

Boston Public Library

A dog stuck into a Graflex viewfinder. Source

Boston Public Library

Jones playing with perspective. Source

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Jones talking on the phone with a basket on his head (of course). Source

Boston Public Library

The accompanying original caption: "L.J. lies down on the job after a little indulgence."  Source