© Gerry Cranham courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
An untitled photograph of a horse race (right) is among the wide selection of photographs on offer from Michael Hoppen Gallery’s exhibition Simply the Best featuring works of 20th century sports photographer Gerry Cranham (b.1928).
Now 90, he recorded moments such as the funeral of JFK. He is credited with pioneering practices such as the use of long-lead cable remote techniques and colour action shots. However, he is best known for his sports images. He was the first photographer to position his camera under jumps, at Cheltenham racecourse, which would become a mainstay of sports reportage. Cranham said: “I had to do it discreetly, hide the camera and then collect it later. [They] would have kicked me off the course if they saw me.”