Celebrated cricket photojournalist Headley ‘Dellmar’ Samuels dies

Headley “Dellmar” Samuels, the photojournalist renowned for documenting the golden era of West Indies cricket, has passed away. His loved ones announced his death on Saturday, remembering him as a passionate sports enthusiast who, despite never being an athlete himself, became a giant in cricket photography.

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He never bowled a cricket ball or fielded in the slips. There is no record of him hitting a four, or a six over the boundary, or running between the wickets. What, however, is undisputed is the fact that when it comes to photographing that noble game of cricket, his name is listed among the greats in the Caribbean.

Samuels dedicated over 35 years to capturing the essence of the game, covering an impressive 175 Test matches, numerous One-Day Internationals, and seven Cricket World Cups, with his last assignment being the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbean. His family stated that while he never played the sport, his name is undeniably among the greats when it comes to photographing cricket in the Caribbean.

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As a young man he bought himself a camera and, not known to be shy, could talk his way into places and situations. This ability, along with a natural aptitude for photography, made him a serious contender in that world.

After studying photography overseas for a decade, Samuels returned to Jamaica in the mid-1970s and began a freelance career with The Gleaner newspaper. His family described him as someone who wasn't shy and could navigate various situations, which, combined with his photographic talent, made him a formidable presence in the field. His style was noted as bold and direct, yet balanced by a great sense of humor.

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Lover of sports that he was, he dabbled in track and field, which took him to the Montreal Olympics in Canada, followed by 13 years of covering Premier League football but in the end, it was cricket that became his obsession.

While cricket became his primary obsession, Samuels also had an eye for other subjects, including nature and human experiences. His significant contributions to Caribbean cricket were recognized in 2000 when he was conferred with the Order of Distinction – Officer Class. He also received numerous other awards and citations and was a life member of the Press Association of Jamaica. Samuels eventually retired from covering cricket due to declining health and failing eyesight.

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he fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept his faith