Chris Smith (1937–2026) photographed sport through action, atmosphere and human expression. His work ranged from boxing and athletics to racing and golf, with an eye for the emotional detail around competition.
More than the decisive action
A sporting story can be told before the start or after a result. In Smith’s Ali photographs, preparation and pauses sit alongside public performance. In his wider work, setting and spectators are part of the story too.
A newspaper career
As documented in the Guardian’s obituary, Smith began at the Hartlepool Mail, later worked at the Daily Herald and joined the Observer in 1968. He became chief sports photographer at the Sunday Times in 1976 and remained there for 24 years.
His awards included Sports Photographer of the Year four times and individual Sports Picture of the Year twice. Read Chris Smith’s biography for the career timeline and publications.
Explore the work
Compare the Muhammad Ali print collection with the wider sports collection. When looking at a photograph, consider how light, viewpoint and the surrounding space contribute to the subject—not just the sporting event it records.