# Ian Berry, Magnum photographer who captured Sharpeville, dies at 92

> The British photojournalist covered seven decades of history and never cared about the gear.
- Title: Ian Berry, Magnum photographer who captured Sharpeville, dies…
- Summary: The British photojournalist covered seven decades of history and never cared about the gear. Great photojournalism comes from being in the right place and…
- Keywords: ian berry, magnum photos, photojournalism, sharpeville massacre, south africa, henri cartier-bresson, leica, nikon, drum magazine, apartheid, Ian, Berry
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/photojournalism/rip-ian-berry-the-magnum-photojournalist-who-shot-the-only-photos-of-the-sharpeville-massacre-and-who-spent-more-than-seven-decades-working-hard-being-humble-and-insisting-the-job-was-never-about-the-gear
- Published: 2026-09-16T09:46:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ian berry, magnum photos, photojournalism, sharpeville massacre, south africa, henri cartier-bresson, leica, nikon, drum magazine, apartheid
## Ian Berry dies at 92
The British photojournalist died peacefully last weekend after a short illness. He and his wife were about to fly to French Polynesia.
## Seven decades of history
Berry covered Sharpeville, the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, the Vietnam War, Northern Ireland's Troubles, and the fall of apartheid.
## No gearhead sentimentality
In his 70s, Berry carried two Leica M8.2s, a Nikon D700, and an old 70-300mm zoom he called an amateur lens but kept for its light weight.

> it delivers great results while feeling very light in my bag
## Never checked the screen
Berry treated his digital camera like film, never reviewing images on the back. He preferred moving on to get the next shot.

> I have a good idea of what I've got, and rather than checking images all the time, I'd prefer to be moving on
## The tea test with Cartier-Bresson
Berry's first Magnum meeting failed because he showed prints instead of contact sheets. He returned later with contacts and ordered tea, not coffee.
## The only Sharpeville photos
In 1960, Berry ignored orders to leave and captured police firing on protesters. Drum refused to publish, but LIFE and Paris Match did.
## His photos cleared the accused
Berry's images were used in court to prove police had lied and to clear protesters of affray charges.
## Never stopped working
Asked about retirement in 2011, Berry laughed it off. He continued working well into his old age, healthy and doing stories.

> What would I do? I'm still healthy, I can go off and do stories
## Key takeaway

Great photojournalism comes from being in the right place and staying focused on the next shot, not obsessing over equipment.