ONE OF the UK's best-known photographers who majored on farming topics, Louis Flood, died recently at the age of 84.

Born and bred in Perth, Louis captured the changing face of Perth and her rural hinterland, along with generations of local residents over six decades behind the camera.

Educated at Perth Academy, he began a long and distinguished career in photography with an apprenticeship at Star Photos in 1947, at the tender age of 14. After completing National Service with the RAF, he enjoyed a spell with the Daily Mail, in Dundee, before joining the staff at Alex C Cowper in the Fair City, later establishing his own business.

Louis Flood Photographers started in 1977 and until recently was continuing under the management of his son, also Louis.

His passion for the national and local press featured heavily in a well-received 'Golden age of photojournalism' exhibition staged by Perth Museum, featuring much of his work.

In the pre-computer and digital days of photography, his business never missed a deadline and his images reached papers in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen to spread the news by next breakfast.

A member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and the NUJ, Louis covered everything from hard news stories to Royal visits, weddings, social gatherings, sport and agricultural events.

One of his favourites was the world famous Perth Bull Sales, and he also atended Perth Show, the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh and regularly took a 'busman's' holiday to the Royal Smithfield Show, in London.

Former UA chief executive, David Leggat, said in tribute: “Louis had a close association with the Perth Bull Sales and he was a wonderfully skilled photographer. His pictures of the cattle were always in great demand, but also those of the people around the sales. Louis was a great character and very much part of life at the market.”

And Neil Forbes, secretary of Perth Show, added: “The chairman and directors of Perthshire Agricultural Society were saddened to hear of the death of Louis. Louis was a familiar figure at Perth Show and carried out the task of main photographer for a number of years.

"He was well known to all our livestock and trade exhibitors and took great pride capturing the atmosphere of the show, whether it be a champion animal or a child with a pet.”

He was also regularly commissioned by many local whisky companies, now lost to Perth, including Bells, Dewar’s and Matthew Gloag.

Thus busy man also played a prominent role in civic life, serving with the Society of High Constables of the City of Perth, including two years as moderator and he was a member of the Guildry Incorporation of Perth – joking that the historic role of ale taster to the burgh was one of his more arduous tasks.

He was also a past president of the Rotary Club of Perth and a member of Perth Probus and was a lifelong St Johnstone supporter, capturing the action at both Muirton and McDiarmid Park. One of his proudest days as a fan was seeing Saints lift the Scottish Cup in 2014.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Louis, daughters Laura and Liesa and three grandchildren, Lottie, Rory and Joseph.