Award-winning former Independent chief sports photographer David Ashdown dies aged 75
IndependentFormer chief sports photographer David Ashdown has died aged 75.
A moment of silence was paid to the award-winning photojournalist IndependentGeordie Greig, editor-in-chief of , underlines his “skill and dignity”.
Ashdown began his career as a motorcycle courier for Keystone Press in 1968; He photographed pop bands and motorbike races in the evenings and weekends, then covered sports and news in the Daily Star from 1978.
It was during the launch Independent And Independent SundayHe joined in 1986 and became the chief sports photographer. He worked at the newspaper until his retirement after the 2012 London Olympics and is believed to have been the longest-serving staff sports photographer at any newspaper at the time.
The famous photojournalist was deemed worthy of numerous awards during his tenure. IndependentThese include the 1993 European Sports Photographer of the Year, the 1987 and 1990 SJA Sports Photographer of the Year and the 1990 International Olympic Committee Best in Sport Award.
Throughout his career spanning more than four decades, Ashdown’s subject matter was broad and varied. In 1973 he was in the Royal Navy on HMS Maxton while clearing ordnance in the Suez Canal after the Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Israel; four years later he was watching the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
But sport was an area of particular interest to Ashdown, who photographed the world’s biggest sporting events during his 43-year career, including eight Olympic Games, 40 Wimbledon Tennis Championships and thousands of football, rugby and cricket matches.
In Barcelona in 1992, Linford famously shot from an unofficial position to capture Christie’s historic victory in the 100 meters from a unique angle. Following the success of this throw, he again caught Usain Bolt crossing the finish line in an unofficial position in his historic 100 meters win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Ashdown photographed the Ashes test matches, reportedly leading to him earning the nickname “Splashdown” after the title of the iconic photograph during the 4th Test Match between England and Australia at The Oval in 2005, which showed England players skidding across a water-filled pitch while celebrating a wicket in the rain.
in 2012 Independent To celebrate 25 years of Ashdown’s outstanding work on this publication, he published an article titled ‘Hot Shots Worth a Thousand Words’.
Daughter Libby told Independent His father unfortunately passed away on December 23, 2025, when he had just turned 75.
Paying tribute, Mr Greig said: “David was an important and unforgettable photographer who was there from the early 2000s. Independent. He left his mark and earned the acclaim he deserved as well as the great love of his colleagues. His awards and accolades speak for themselves. “I salute David’s skill, dignity and kindness, all the essential qualities in life that he has in abundance.”
