Vale director / DP Jeffrey Darling: “Jeff was an artist. A genius cinematographer”

The Australasian ad industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Jeffrey Darling, regarded as one of our best commercial directors. As a director/DP, Darling’s aesthetic crossed between many genres, constantly evolving and shifting in the ever-changing film landscape.

Darling’s work for Jaguar and Boeing are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and his contribution to excellence in Cinematography was recognised with three honorary Kodak awards.

Throughout his long career, Darling worked on major worldwide campaigns for prestigious clients such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), GMC, RAM, Qantas, Diners Club, Pernod Ricard, Maybelline, Jaguar, Coca-Cola, and BMW.

Along with many others, production designer/art director Ross Wallace has paid tribute to Darling on his Facebook page: “Jeff was an artist. A genius cinematographer. His directorial style was always calm and considered. I have so much to thank him for. This is a great loss. My condolences to Sarah and the children.”

Adds director Keith Heygate: “This is such a loss to the Australian Film industry, a wonderful talented, and gentle person. It was a pleasure watching all of his work. Vale and love to Sarah and children, and close friends.”

Says director Bruce Hunt: “Jeff Darling was the most quietly spoken, ridiculously talented genius director and cinematographer, who pushed the boundaries of commercials to something above and beyond – they became exotic enigmatic intersections of the best in cinema ,art ,photography ,performance and sheer poetry .

“Some highlights – from the darkness and passion of Jaguar “Wicked game”, Bundaberg Rum “Fire”, the sheer otherness of Ladies Masters “Golf” to the elegance and high fashion of Schwarzkopf https://vimeo.com/164358588 and Subaru “Symmetry”, the consummate storytelling of Sony “Trout”, the emotion and atmosphere of Barossa “Be consumed” and the optimism and joy of South Australia Tourism, Tip Top “Grow” and the unique Boeing “Because we fly” and countless others .

“Like all of us working with great scripts his work would soar. Even with lesser ideas his interpretations were unique, always a challenge to the expected – pushing boldly further than anyone dared.

“And for us in awe of his craft it was a joy to discover his unique take -and If something was called “its very Jeff” you knew another pale imitator had been caught out …

“He was a quiet achiever who created his own lane – and was a groundbreaker in exporting his talent and those of his tight merry band of Aussie and NZ collaborators to the world. Editors ,post work ,music ,VFX all came back here whenever possible, raising everyone’s standards and introducing them to the global market. He travelled everywhere – always curious, looking for the unseen and exotic – his locations scouts cleverly guerrilla filming as he went were a legendary part of his film process.

“He worked everywhere in the world but I think was happiest in Australia and New Zealand with a family like tribe of his own.

“He inspired generations of film makers and enjoyed making a production company home for them – after his start at Window Productions, he started production company Black, breaking into the European market and USA, then opened @radicalmedia in Australia with myself, Nick Robertson and Loewn Steel, and went on to start Moth Projects and Velvet LA with his wife producer and rock Sarah Blair – giving directors and researchers and assistants their first starts in the industry including his sons and daughters, plus for something different starting the perfume brand “Map of the Heart” exporting to the toughest market in the world, France.

“He taught himself photography and then cinematography and was the youngest cinematographer to win the AFI for one of his many collaborations with director George Olgivie.

“He loved to switch genres and not be pigeonholed and was in post on his first feature film “He went that way” editing the American feature Back Here with editor Adam Wills in his favourite part of the world, Palm Beach.

“Goodbye to our lovely friend the humble gentle soulful Jeff – we’re sending our love to his family Sarah, Imogen, Carson, Scout and Cooper.

“And condolences to his right hands – Jason Rogers, Adam Wills and Jeff’s many collaborators around the world.

“His aesthetic and daring inspired a generation of filmmakers writers and creatives. We were lucky to have him and will miss him greatly.

“Vale Jeff.”

Says director Alex Proyas: “Utterly shocked and saddened to hear of the death of a good friend today – Jeff Darling. A totally original, uncompromising artist. A gentle, kind and immensely generous collaborator. I had the good fortune to collaborate with Jeff many years ago when he was still a cinematographer.

“In all the years I’ve worked with many great cinematographers my work with Jeff remains the most fulfilling partnership of all. It’s as a truly gifted director in his own right that Jeff is known the world over, with decades of the most sublime visual storytelling to his credit. Jeff made pure cinema – his work employed the poetry of the moving image, something only this unique artform can express.

“Jeff’s brilliance shall be hugely missed by so many friends and colleagues who were touched by his genius. To Jeff’s family, we are all so very sorry for your loss.”