Toby Massey, a photographer and photo-editor for The Associated Press died on August 20 at the age of 80 at his home in SC.

Toby Massey worked for The Associated Press for 38 years, directing everything from coverage of political conventions, natural disasters, and space programs during his long and successful career.

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According to Massey's daughter, Christine Massey McNeill, the photographer experienced heart trouble earlier in the year, although it remains unconfirmed as the cause of death. Massey lived with his daughter in Columbia, South Carolina.

His affiliation with The AP started in 1966 when he first joined the company's Miami bureau and became AP's photo editor in 1970 at AP's Atlanta Bureau. He was then transferred to Washington after two years where he became an assistant bureau chief for photos.

According to photographer Ron Edmonds, who worked alongside Massey in AP's Washington branch, Toby was considered as one of the pioneers for moving pictures captured in Third World countries.

He added that Massey was a master in making friends with people, citing that the photographer could communicate and build rapport easily in order to get the job done.

Massey will always be remembered as the one who mastered how to set things up in order to arrive at a beautiful and amazing output.

His many talents for turning bathrooms into makeshift darkrooms as well as his penchant for ushering AP forward towards newer photographic technology solidified his role as an important figure in the photo-editing profession.

Toby is also credited with being an instrumental arm in helping other AP members adapt to the digital world of photos a colleague, Robert Daugherty, said.

The photo-editor trained newspaper staff by travelling to their locations in order to help train them.

Doug Mills, a friend and former AP photographer, referred to Massey as a man who "loved the AP, loved to win and hated to lose."

According to Mills, Toby was tireless in his efforts to push AP to be a leader in photojournalism. 

TagsToby Massey, AP, Associated Press, photographer, photojournalism, photo editor