Iconic Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham Dies at 87

Iconic Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham Dies at 87

American Photographer Bill Cunningham, the simple living octogenarian who was credited as the first street-style photographer that snapped well-dressed passers-byes for The New York Times, passed away in New York on Saturday after being hospitalized for a stroke. He was 87 years old.

Cunningham was the symbol of fashion journalism. His unique candid style photography distinguished him from other photojournalists. Besides working at remarkable magazines such as The New York Times for nearly 40 years, he lived a lone and humble life in the Carnegie Hall Tower. It was small place with no kitchen, a shared bathroom, and thousands of negative films. He turned down wealth to be free, he used to say.

He lived a simply and minimally, shooting with his 35mm camera on his bicycle in the streets of Manhattan. He was the most respected figure in the industry by all kinds of people. Beyond any doubt, he was the only unchanging personality in New York, where the fashion changes every week.

The world will miss you Bill Cunningham. Rest in peace to the man on the streets.

Image by Paul Stein and used under Creative Commons.

Burak Erzincanli's picture

Burak is a photographer and creative retoucher specialising in fashion and advertising, working with international clients from Canada, Europe and Australia.

Currently lives and works in Manchester, UK.

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4 Comments

Love his work and energy. He will be missed.

A sad loss. Bill will be missed.

Not many like him left !

There was no one like Bill!