Top CT photographer dies
2009-10-19 12:45
Cape Town - Renowned photographer Garth Stead was found dead in his Woodstock home on Monday morning.
It is believed he had committed suicide.
Police officials were still busy at the scene late on Monday morning.
Stead was picture editor of Foto24 in Cape Town at the time of his death. Before that, he was picture editor of Die Burger, and had also worked as a photographer at the Cape Times.
A former recipient of the Fuji Press award, he was also involved in the Icon Image School of photography.
Stead is survived by two sons and his ex-wife.
Shock
Michele O'Connor, news editor at Die Burger, expressed her shock at his death.
"Garth is…was a colleague with an unbelievable work ethic, someone who always wanted the best for his team and his product, and he delivered it. He lived for what he did, to take photographs. At times he 'painted' with his camera," O'Conner said.
"I'd like to remember him as the Englishman who always had time for a joke and wasn't scared to laugh at himself. He sometimes made me think of a rubber ball, always en route somewhere, always busy reaching greater heights."
Dawid Roux, National Picture editor of Foto24, described Stead as a popular manager, but no "pushover".
"He was firm with his staff, but always defended them to his [Stead's] superiors and fought for them. With his persuasive manner, he often won his case.
"In my experience, he also never shied away from disagreeing with his seniors. Yet he always followed a brief to the letter."
Roux added that Garth had planned to fulfil his role in Foto24 to standards he deemed acceptable. He planned to then throw himself into the field of photography full-time.
"..But this time you dropped us. Yes, I am angry at him. But I am more incredibly heartbroken and will miss my friend and colleague," Roux added.
"He touched everyone deeply and his death is a huge blow for Media24's newspapers, his friends and colleagues. Thank you Garth for the role you played in our lives."
Tributes
Tributes poured in on Stead's Facebook page from colleagues at Die Burger.
Photographer Edrea Cloete wrote: "Words cannot describe the pain, you were the greatest teacher a young photographer could ever have! May your soul find peace!"
Journalist Malani Venter wrote: "Thinking of all the photographers and journalists today at Die Burger - a sad day for everyone."
Shantal Moses, who did her in-service training at the paper, wrote the following: "U were always a ray of sunshine unless there was not enough photographers. Then u became thunder. R.I.P."