Jamaica’s premier photojournalist laid to rest
ON Saturday, September 6, 2014, the family, friends and citizens of Retreat, St Mary, turned out in numbers at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church to bid farewell to well-known Jamaican photojournalist Astley George Chin, a veteran staff photographer who worked with The Daily Gleaner for many years.
Astley was one of Jamaica’s top professional photographers with 50 years of experience both here and in New York, running his own studios, and with a vast background in special assignments, news and all aspects of the profession.
While at the Gleaner, he covered such assignments as the first visit of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia in 1966, Queen Elizabeth II, and many other heads of state and important visitors to our island. He was also given exclusive coverage to photograph the wedding ceremony of Michael Manley and Beverly Anderson. Astley also covered local assignments for TIME magazine, Sports Illustrated, London Daily Express and many International publications.
While stationed in New York, he covered the Caribbean Heads of Government meeting with President Bill Clinton at the White House and the reception for Nelson Mandela on his first visit to New York.
As one of Jamaica’s most versatile photographers, Chin’s early images of Bob Marley and the Wailers have been published in books, magazines, films, and on record jackets worldwide. He was listed in Who’s Who-Black American and West Indian Artists and Photographers. He has successfully exhibited at the Jamaica Consulate in New York, and has won First Prize in National Photo Awards.
Chin has been described as ‘Photographer Par Excellence’ by Howard Moo Young.
Described also as ”…one of the small list of those who today are on the top rung of the Jamaican photographic ladder for good artistic judgement, skill and versatility” by the late Theodore Sealy, editor of The Daily Gleaner, Chin has left us a legacy of images that will live on forever. In 2009, Astley Chin was awarded the National Badge of Honour at King’s House for Long and Meritorious Service.
Astley always wanted to return to his birthplace in Retreat, St Mary, and requested to be buried beside his mother.
May his soul rest in peace.
