Dick Pope, the iconic British cinematographer who earned two Oscar nominations and was a long-time collaborator of director Mike Leigh, has passed away at the age of 77. The British Society of Cinematographers confirmed the news of Pope's death in a statement released on their website earlier today. "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed friend and colleague, Dick Pope BSC," the organization wrote, highlighting Pope's three Camerimage Golden Frog awards and his recognition with the society's prestigious 'Cinematography in a Feature Film' award for his work on 'Mr. Turner.' The society also praised Pope's dedication to his craft, noting his efforts to mentor future generations and his passion for embracing new technologies while preserving traditional cinematographic skills.

Born in Bromley, Kent, Pope developed a keen interest in photography during his youth. He began his career in documentary filmmaking, including work on ITV's current affairs program 'World In Action.' Pope gained prominence in the 1980s as a music video cinematographer, shooting iconic videos for artists like Iron Maiden, The Specials, Madness, and Queen. His talent for visual storytelling and versatility led him to transition from television to film.

In 1990, Pope shot two films that significantly impacted his career: Philip Ridley's 'The Reflecting Skin,' a surreal coming-of-age film set in 1950s America, and Mike Leigh's 'Life Is Sweet,' a poignant drama about a working-class family. These films marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership with Leigh, resulting in numerous acclaimed films such as 'Naked,' 'Secrets & Lies,' 'Topsy-Turvy,' 'Happy-Go-Lucky,' and the Oscar-nominated 'Mr. Turner.' Their collaboration culminated in the recent critically acclaimed film 'Hard Truths,' featuring a reunion with actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste after nearly three decades.

Throughout his career, Pope also worked with directors like Neil Burger, Barry Levinson, Richard Linklater, Christopher McQuarrie, John Sayles, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gurinder Chadha, and Edward Norton. The phrase "every frame a painting" is often used, but rarely has it been more apt than in describing Pope's work, whose ability to capture the full spectrum of human emotion through his camerawork will be remembered for generations. Our thoughts are with Pope's family, friends, and colleagues, especially his wife Pat, during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.

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