John Claridge, Photographer of East End Life, Dies at 81

John Claridge, an esteemed British photographer celebrated for his monochrome depictions of London's East End, passed away at the age of 81. His extensive career spanned commercial photography for prestigious brands like Rolls-Royce, Porsche, and Sony, as well as personal endeavors, including the 2016 book 'East End,' which showcased his work from the 1960s and 1970s. A self-taught artist, Claridge embarked on his photography journey as a teenager and later joined McCann Erickson, where he held his inaugural solo exhibition in 1961. His photographs are part of collections at institutions such as the V&A and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He published approximately 50 books and captured musicians at Ronnie Scott's jazz club. He is survived by his second wife, Janet.