Image: The image on With The Beatles became one of the most memorable images of the group

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have paid tribute to the photographer behind some of The Beatles most famous album covers, who has died aged 82.

Robert Freeman helped define the band's image, especially with the 1963 cover for With The Beatles - their second album.

The black and white picture featured simple head shots of the Fab Four in part shadow.

It was also used for the 1964 US album Meet The Beatles!

Image: Freeman pictured in Valencia in 2006 next to some of his work

Freeman went on to take the photos used on Beatles For Sale, Help!, and Rubber Soul - where the photo was subtly stretched.


Paying tribute online, McCartney said: "People often think that the cover shot for Meet The Beatles of our foreheads in half shadow was a carefully arranged studio shot.

"In fact it was taken quite quickly by Robert in the corridor of a hotel we were staying in where natural light came from the windows at the end of the corridor.

Image: Freeman also took the image for the Help! album - and Rubber Soul (below)

"I think it took no more than half an hour to accomplish."

McCartney called him a "wonderful man" and "a true original thinker".

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tweeted: "God bless Robert Freeman peace and love to all his family."

Freeman was born in London and began his career as a photographer for the Sunday Times, taking portraits of leading jazz musicians before working with The Beatles.

His cause of death has so far not been disclosed.