COLLEAGUES have been left in shock at the death of respected former press photographer Phil Loach.

Phil, who had been retired for several years, passed away suddenly on Wednesday April 12, aged 73, after contracting pneumonia.

Award-winning Phil worked as a newspaper photographer for most of his working life – finishing his career as the last remaining photographer for the Stourbridge News, Halesowen News, Dudley News and the Kidderminster Shuttle.

Born and educated in Dudley, he lived in Stourbridge for many years while working on the County Express/Stourbridge News and later moved to Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire with his wife Dot but continued to commute daily back to the Black Country to photograph the region’s often weird and wonderful sights that were making the news.

Phil won numerous awards over the years for his picture perfect professional images.

His real passion though was taking photographs for his own interest which he published on his website thesilverimage.co.uk.

He described his striking pictures as a reaction and response to his surroundings, events, fashion, social trends and the everyday lives of everyday people and in his later years these were showcased in a number of exhibitions held at venues including Himley Hall and the Black Country Living Museum.

When not found with a camera in his hand - Phil enjoyed motorbikes, cycling, an eclectic mix of music, the coast, his garden, and time spent with his grandchildren.