Chris Steele-Perkins, the acclaimed British photographer best known for his striking black-and-white portraits of London's Teddy Boys subculture, has died at the age of 78. The longtime member of the prestigious Magnum Photos agency passed away on Monday, September 8, in England, where he had returned for health reasons after living in Japan since 1998 with his Japanese wife, Miyako Yamada.

Steele-Perkins gained international recognition in the 1970s for his documentation of Britain's working-class youth rebels known as Teddy Boys, or "Teds." Originally commissioned by New Society magazine to cover the second wave of the Teddy Boy movement for a single article, the assignment evolved into a comprehensive long-term photographic project that would define much of his career.

The photographer captured these young rebels with both punch and tenderness, showing them in their signature velvet jackets that paid homage to Edwardian England. These stylish yet violent youths were fans of rockabilly music and were considered terrors of respectable society, often found hanging around street corners, smoking and intimidating passersby.

Steele-Perkins' fascination with the Teddy Boys may have stemmed from childhood fears and curiosity. He once explained: "Every town had its own Teds who hung around on street corners, smoking and growling at people. My father criticized them harshly and threatened to hand me over to them if I didn't behave well. This may have helped fuel my curiosity when I grew up."

His 1979 book "The Teds" became an iconic work and a classic of documentary photography, gaining significant recognition in fashion circles. The photographer described his mission, saying: "What I tried to do was document a subculture, and quite an important subculture in British society." The book showcased his ability to gain intimate access to this closed community while maintaining his role as an outside observer.

Beyond his famous Teddy Boys series, Steele-Perkins was a specialist in photojournalism and documentary photography throughout his career. His work with Magnum Photos, one of the world's most prestigious photographic agencies, established him as a significant figure in contemporary photography, contributing to various international assignments and projects that extended far beyond his native Britain.