The man behind one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic images has died at the age of 92.
Former Belfast Telegraph photographer Stanley Matchett MBE was at the forefront of the photographic profession here for more than 40 years.
Mr Matchett was known as “the man who shot the Beatles” for his famous pictures of the Fab Four when they came to Belfast.
However, his most famous image is that of Bishop Edward Daly waving his bloodstained handkerchief on Bloody Sunday, which became the best-known picture from the massacre.
Mr Matchett travelled to London for the weddings of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, then Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
His portfolio reflects four decades of major social, economic and political change, illustrating these narratives with portraits, and horrors of the Troubles and the wonderful traditions of Irish life.
Photographer Stanley Matchett
Mr Matchett was awarded the NI Sports Photographer of the Year three times and Press Photographer of the Year in the Rothmans Press Awards for NI.
In 2003 he was awarded an MBE for services to photography
His colleague Alan Lewis, who was often in competition with Mr Matchett, described him as a “gentleman.”
“I have known Stanley for more years than I care to remember,” said Mr Lewis.
“He was a brave photographer, he would be in there as the bullets were flying, he would go places others wouldn’t.
“Stanley really was a multi-talented photographer. My thoughts are with his wife Maureen, whom he met while working at the Belfast Telegraph.”
Liam McBurney, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association said: “Stanley was an outstanding photographer, he had seen and done it all.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go to Stanley’s family and loved ones.
“He is a big loss to photography in NI and will be greatly missed by our association.”