In the life of Tim Page, legendary Vietnam War photographer dies aged 78

Real action man Tim Page, whose dramatic footage captured the true horrors of the Vietnam War, has died aged 78.

The British-born photojournalist's dedication to getting the perfect shot has brought him into the crosshairs on several occasions, and he even inspired the character of Dennis Hopper in the hit film Apocalypse Now.

Page's iconic works also helped turn public opinion against the United States' part in the conflict through his insistence that "the only good war photography is anti-war photography."

He added, "You are faced with the horror that is happening, so keep working and find the best possible setting.

"Maybe that's why war photography is so strong, because there are no political considerations."

A US helicopter takes off from a clearing near Camp Du Co SF, Vietnam (

Picture:

Corbis via Getty Images)

Page was born on May 25, 1944 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. When he was six years old, he discovered that he had been adopted and his biological father had died in a torpedo attack during World War II.

In 1960, at the age of 16, Page had a near-death experience following a motorcycle accident so severe that the hospital initially believed he had died.

Page claimed that this led him to develop his adventurous spirit. He remembers: “I had seen the tunnel. There was no light at the end. There was no afterlife. It was the dawn, the opening towards the loss of a responsible part of my psyche."

A year later, Page left the UK, running away from home and leaving a note for his adoptive parents saying, "Do not contact the authorities, as I will write it periodically."

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He drove from Europe to Asia, visiting countries like Pakistan, India and Thailand along the way until he arrived at his final destination, Laos.

Tim Page during the Vietnam War (

Picture:

EyeUbiquitous/Photoshot/Avalon)