My friend Stephen Blackman, who has died after a stroke aged 55, was the director of photography on some of the most memorable and successful TV commercials of recent years, including John West's "bear fight" advert and Virgin Atlantic's "love at first flight".

His commercials won many awards, and Stephen was in great demand all over the world, especially for shoots for car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW and Chevrolet. In an industry not always known for its kindness of heart, Stephen remained unfailingly courteous. He was always willing to give advice and share professional secrets, and he possessed a calmness under pressure that endeared him to his crews.

Stephen tackled everything with conviction and a deep confidence in his own expertise. He was the cinematographer on the 1993 adaptation of Ian McEwan's The Cement Garden, as well as the films Strictly Sinatra and Trigger Happy (both 2001).

He was born in Oxford to Alan,...