David Cripps

IT’S 10 years since the death of David Cripps, a photographer who knew Soho like the back of his hand.

Survivors of the Swinging Sixties would no doubt be more than happy to raise a glass to him in some of their favourite watering holes, and remember his curt but normally affectionate responses.

“A perfectionist, his asides on substandard work were pithy and wonderfully blunt,” remembered his friend David Whiting in his obituary.

“But he was one of the warmest people I have known, and it was this modesty and empathy that he brought to the camera, a lasting contribution for which he was made an MBE.”

Mr Cripps had worked on The Observer but found he was more interested in arts and crafts objects – ceramics and glass – than fashion shoots.

He was a leader in this field, and countless artists were helped by him to show off their work.