Hilltop Tribute for Edward French Who Was Killed for His Camera While Photographing the Sunrise

You may have read our recent article about 71-year-old photographer Edward French who was killed last month while photographing the sunrise from Twin Peaks—a popular landmark overlooking San Francisco.

Police say French was alone when he was approached by two assailants who took his camera and hit him with a single gunshot that proved fatal. French was pronounced dead a short time later at a nearby hospital after a nearby jogger heard the gunshot and called authorities.

Inspired by our story, Bay Area engineer and photographer Greg Rogers organized a tribute last weekend on Twin Peaks to honor the life of beloved San Francisco photographer French. “After reading the Shutterbug article,” Rogers says, “ I felt a connection to Edward as a professional.”

Rogers told us, “It moved and angered me that this man who was doing what he loved to do, taking pictures of the city he loved, should be killed for a piece of hardware.”

Rogers posted an event invitation on Facebook for last Sunday’s meetup at the spot where French lost his life. He also contacted Suzannah Greason Robbins, Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Commission, who we mentioned in our original story. Robbins was enthusiastic about supporting last weekend’s tribute, and emailed a number of industry friends who knew French.

Over 20 of French’s friends and family gathered on Twin Peaks at 6pm on Sunday to pay their respects. They formed a circle while holding hands and shared memories of what Edward French meant to them.

Rogers, who made the photographs above, credited Robbins for helping make the memorial event happen, and he told us, “Edward (pictured below) will be missed by many. You can read our original story here.

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