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Photographer Patrick Lichfield died
Ilse Jurriën : November 14th 2005 - 10:55 CET
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 Photographer Patrick Lichfield died : Thomas Patrick John Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield was a professional photographer who inherited the Earldom of Lichfield from his paternal grandfather, but did not use his title in his professional practise, where he was known as Patrick Lichfield. With a string of titles and photographic achievements to his name, Patrick Lichfield is one of the most highly acclaimed photographers of all time. Whilst he himself represents part of British royal heritage, he remains a professional, and has undertaken the photography of every European royal family. His most famous commission came from The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer when he was appointed as their official photographer.
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 Lichfield photography - History
Lichfield's fascination with photography began at the age of six, and by the time he was eight he had been given his first camera. Leaving the Grenadier Guards in 1962, Lichfield took up a position as an assistant to Dmitri Kasterine and Michael Wallis, partners in a photographic studio. It was under their guidance that Lichfield learned the technical processes of traditional photography, a skill that he later swapped for the flexibility of digital imaging.
Patrick Lichfield - American Vogue and Royal Photography
Lichfield's real career break came when he met with Diana Vreeland, one of the most influential fashion editors of the time, and secured a five-year contract with American Vogue. Shortly after, he was sought out to work on various advertising campaigns, receiving commissions from some of the most influential industries of the day. Fashion, cosmetics, tobacco, cars and airline adverts were all shot by him. It was also around this time that Lichfield received his first royal commission, photographing Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, later Queen of Greece.
Digital photography - Digital workflow
Since then, Lichfield's has been an eventful and changing career, one that has produced some of the world's most famous images of royalty as well as beautiful and creative advertising campaigns. When the promise of digital imaging first appeared 15 years ago, Lichfield, along with the rest of his generation of photographers became curious of the technology that was increasingly being used within their profession. Witnessing how the technical skill of some of his peers left them more open to creativity, Lichfield recognised the importance of understanding the technology he worked with. "Taking on digital imaging is much like learning to drive an automatic car. Once you can drive it you wonder why you ever had a car with gears. Since going digital we have saved £75,000 per year on film" he says. On 10 November 2005, Lichfield suffered a stroke, and died early the following morning.
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