Hi, I’m Richard Thomas, a London based street photographer with a difference. Formerly masquerading as ‘theendoftheline’, it is now time for a change as I bring you ‘PhotosByRJT’.
This is my new name to encapsulate a wide range of photography and to mark the passing of The End Of The Line which has served me well for the last six and a half years.
Why the change?
‘theendoftheline’ concept grew out of an idea carved through an informal chat nearly seven years ago, and it has served me well resulting in two Coffee Table books featuring selected photographs.
The first book features my travels to the end of every Transport for London line resulting in the publication, in 2021, of ‘Memories from The End Of The Line‘. Followed by the publication of my second book, ‘Return to The End Of The Line‘ in 2023, as I travelled to the furthest points on London’s National Rail Network.
During my journeys, I realised my passion for photography stretched beyond the discovery of London’s outermost reaches. While exploring trains, stations, transport providers, local history, communities and people was rewarding, I was also exposed to London’s rich art culture and I can’t resist sharing the artwork I find. You may have noticed that I ocassionally posted images from my family travels too.
The notion of promoting my photographs and making them more widely available grew stronger, and so the search for a brand that better suited my passion for photography began. I think @PhotosByRJT says it quite succinctly and it’s now my address on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and BlueSky (I’ve ditched X). LinkedIn is unchanged.
My Bio
Born and bred in Aberystwyth in 1956. I’m a passionate Welshman and Liverpool FC supporter, a husband, father and a grandfather. All of which brings me joy in many ways.
I’ve always travelled with a camera and my passion for photography started in my late teens as I got hooked using black and white film (usually Ilford ASA 100 and occasionally ASA 400). Developing and printing my own work was also great fun, much to my parent’s frustration as I took over the family kitchen most weekends; the first half-hour after tea was spent setting up the darkroom with bin liners over the windows.
Welsh was my first language. My secondary education started at the Sir Huw Owen Grammar School in Caernarfon where I lived for a couple of years in the mid-1960s, and then Ardwyn Grammar School back in Aberystwyth where I focussed on the sciences. I later graduated with a Biological Sciences degree from Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1977.
I started work with the Department for Health and Social Security, as a temp in 1977, and 40 years later, had managed to carve out a diverse career within the Civil Service. I worked in many departments, honing my skill in organisational planning, change management, people development, technical infrastructure and business operations.
I lived in Cardiff for 5 years before moving to Romford in 1990 where my wife and I still live. The children have long spread their wings, successfully creating their own careers. So when I’m not on grandparenting duties (my grandchildren have been educated to call me by the Welsh equivalent – ‘tadcu’ or abbreviated to ‘cu’), or taking pictures, or writing about them, I’ll be in the garden.
I enjoy browsing through photographic books and have done since I joined my first local library. I was captivated by the first book I saw with its artistry and colour and enthralled by how one picture can by itself tell a story. I guess I’ve been nurturing this thought for a long time and why I now find I have a small collection of such books at home.
Throughout life, you live and learn a lot through experience, through education and from those willing to offer up their advice. But there’s one piece of advice I’ve nurtured since I was a child. My father told me ‘…if you don’t know something, always ask…’ The advice I draw on to this day, and it’s advice that’s inspired me to explore parts of London that might otherwise be hidden.
This is me, and welcome to my world…
Photos By RJT 