Geoffrey Goddard (b.1929 - d. 2006)

Born in England this colourfully independent, always single-minded, often irascible, but equally often generous and hugely entertaining photographer took his first semi-professional shots in 1947-48. He became a full-time – but always freelance - professional in the early 1950s, initially as chief photographer for ‘Iota’  and later its derivative ‘Motor Racing’ magazine. In the 1960s-’70s, he became European Photographer for the much-admired and Internationally renowned American journal ‘Road & Track’ – working closely with their roving Editor, the equally highly-rated, individualistic and humorous Henry N. Manney III. Geoff’s work graced a huge number of motor racing books, culminating in his own now classic volume, ‘Track Pass’ and the much acclaimed ‘Ferrari in Camera’. The text in both books was the work of Doug Nye, and the pair worked together as colleagues for some forty years. Geoff Goddard shot his first colour work in 1954 – while on honeymoon - at the Spanish Grand Prix and laboriously developed the Agfa multi-process film himself in his stair cupboard at home in Ealing, West London. He was regarded by Sir Stirling Moss as having been perhaps the greatest – and most consistent - motor racing photographer of his era.