17 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

I understand that Michael Cooper - perhaps the most artistic of all racing photographers of the 1960s - died suddenly last Friday. We can barely believe it. Just two days previously at the Goodwood preview he had seemed his usual bouncy, subversive self - a really good bloke, and a truly great 'snapper'.

DCN

[ian senior]

What awful news. He was indeed a "truly great snapper". Do we know how old he was?

[Option1]

What a sad loss. Some of his work can be seen here.

Neil

[Gary Davies]

Very sad. Sincere condolences to his loved ones and friends. I've admired his work for many years.

[Paul Medici]

I've always loved his shot of Jimmy Clark preparing to open the door of his DB4 GT Zagato.
Rest in peace Michael.

[D-Type]

How tragic. My condolences to his family and friends.

The volumes of his photos will provide a fitting memorial.

[Keir]

Sadly, I had just sent him an e-mail about a photo of Michael, Chris Amon and a young lady, that now will remain a mystery!

Good photogs are a rare breed, Michael will be missed!!

[Paul Parker]

I had been away in Switzerland and spoke to Mike upon my return on Friday morning (18 March) to arrange a meeting to view some of his colour slides for a future project.

I certainly agree with Doug's view that Mike was one of the most artistic snappers of his era. He was in my opinion based upon experience with many motor sport archives quite unmatched in his ability to capture the moment and the human aspect of the subject(s). His photos were widely used in many British and continental publications during the 1960s and his sympathetic eye owed much to his involvement with shooting a variety of other subjects including LP covers and commercial products.

Earlier still during his National Service he worked for a photographic unit with the Ministry of Defence using the famed miniature Minox cameras. After increasing disenchantment with what had become F1 and the wedge driven between the drivers and everybody else by commercial pressures (he recalled the moment of final disillusionment watching a BRM emerging from a giant Marlboro cigarette packet at Paul Ricard in 1972) he continued thereafter to freelance for Yardley, Gulf, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Michelin, Page & Moy et al and later Honda.

Sadly I was quite unaware of this tragedy until last Thursday (24 March). God speed Mike.

[Pine]

RIP.

[ensign14]

This is a bit of a shock. RIP Michael.

[Alan Cox]

This is very sad news. Indeed he was a photographer with a great deal of class and I, too, love the photo of Jim Clark about to open the door of the Ogier Aston at the start of the TT. I first saw it when I bought the Pan paperback edition of 'Jim Clark at the wheel' while still a schoolboy, and always yearned for a print of it.

In the early 90s I eventually found Michael's address and 'phoned him up to ask if he supplied copies of his earlier racing pictures. It was about the time when historic photographs were beginning to be marketed on a large scale at the burgeoning historic festivals, and Jarrotts and others were producing wonderful, but expensive prints from Klemantaski, Alan Smith et al. Michael very kindly produced a 10x8 for me, and also another portrait shot of Clark which, he said, was his favourite, at a soothing price. Photos which I still prize.

During the course of a couple of 'phone conversations I asked him if he was considering producing a book of his motor sport work and his response was "Do you think there would be much demand?" I told him that, in my humble view, there certainly would be and, although we had to wait some time before the Palawan book of Sixties Motor Racing, written with Paul Parker, appeared, the result was worth it.

From my limited experience he seemed an excellent fellow- only sorry thet I never met him face-to-face.

[Giraffe]

Having just spent a most enjoyable hour chatting to Vern Schuppan in Adelaide, it transpires that Michael Cooper was godfather to his daughter, best selling authoress Page Toon.
Vern would very much like to find a photo Michael took of him at Brands in the Lola, (I think at Dingle Dell) losing the car big time! (Vern called it the "Wall of Death" shot!)
I told him I would ask the forum members for their help in locating this pic. Any clues, anyone?

[David McKinney]

...best selling authoress Page Toon

Not nearly as successful as Paige Toon

[Giraffe]

Not nearly as successful as Paige Toon

I was obviously on the wrong paige, David................

[Paul Parker]

Having just spent a most enjoyable hour chatting to Vern Schuppan in Adelaide, it transpires that Michael Cooper was godfather to his daughter, best selling authoress Page Toon.
Vern would very much like to find a photo Michael took of him at Brands in the Lola, (I think at Dingle Dell) losing the car big time! (Vern called it the "Wall of Death" shot!)
I told him I would ask the forum members for their help in locating this pic. Any clues, anyone?

I will try to find this image when I next visit Liz Cooper, probaby around May/June time. Meanwhile it would help if you or Vern have any idea whether or not the pic was published anywhere, what car/year and I'm presuming this was a b/w shot.

In any case I have contacted Liz today so we can try and find it for you in due course.

[RTH]

Oh dear haven't we lost a lot of good people in the last 12 months.

[Giraffe]

Oh dear haven't we lost a lot of good people in the last 12 months.

It would appear that Michael passed away in 2005, Richard.

Thankyou for that Paul; I'll ask Vern & get back to you.

[Paul Parker]

It would appear that Michael passed away in 2005, Richard.

Thankyou for that Paul; I'll ask Vern & get back to you.

My pleasure.