THE death of acclaimed British photographer Brian Griffin, who grew up in Lye, has left the art world in mourning.

Griffin, one of the UK’s most prominent photographers of his generation, is reported to have died in his sleep on January 27 at the age of 75.

The Birmingham-born lensman grew up in Stocking Street in Lye in the 1950s and 60s and attended Halesowen Technical School before finding work in the engineering industry.

After about five years, however, he went on to study photography at Manchester Polytechnic in the early 1970s and never looked back.

Having found his true calling, he quickly became recognised as one of the best of the best British photographers of the 1970s and 80s and his work was featured in many of the most important exhibitions devoted to contemporary British photography.

Renowned for album covers he produced in the 80s for the bands including Depeche Mode, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Echo and the Bunnymen, Griffin moved into directing advertising commercials and music videos in the 1990s.

He returned to his photography roots in 2002 and went on to showcase his work around the world. He was particularly chuffed to host his first solo exhibition in the United States at New York's famous Steven Kasher Gallery in 2016.

Despite his success, he didn’t forget his roots – contacting his local paper The Stourbridge News about the show and reminiscing about how it had been “a long journey from the beginners' class in the Hagley Camera Club in 1965”.

Over the years he won a host of awards for his photography and video work. He also published numerous books including The Black Kingdom - an autobiography of his life growing up in the Black Country.

His striking photographs are also held in permanent collections of many major art institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Social media has been awash with tributes to the influential cameraman.

Photographers and artists across the world have told of their sadness at the news of his passing.

Among them was Black Country Type - aka Black Country artist Tom Hicks - who said on X (formerly Twitter): "Sorry to hear of the passing of the wonderfully talented photographer Brian Griffin. His long career included work for Depeche Mode."

While former News Group photographer Miriam Balfry said: "Brian was very down to earth despite his celebrity status in the photography world.

"He still continued to be passionate about his work but equally enthusiastic about helping aspiring photographers like myself.

"I asked him what advice he could give me, he said to photograph what you know, the rest will come. Which is so true, capturing people and events that he knew really conveyed to the viewer a real sense of connection and trust with his subjects."

Birmingham arts organisation Grain said on X: "We are very sad to hear that iconic photographer Brian Griffin has passed away. Brian was a lad from the Black Country, a legend, a friend and great inspiration to us all. An original, pioneering photographer, his work, wit and humour will never be forgotten."