Bill Luster, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for The Courier Journal and regular contributor to BloodHorse, died May 29. He was 80.
Luster, who covered 55 editions of the Kentucky Derby (G1), shot photos for feature stories in BloodHorse magazine and provided event coverage.
"Luster was a giant in the world of photojournalism," wrote Joseph Gerth of the Courier-Journal in Luster's obituary. He photographed everyone from politicians to sports figures, leaving a mark on all those who came in contact with him. He was known for being a prankster and often generated smiles.
According to Gerth, "For decades, he would make up outlandish tales for young reporters, photographers, and interns about his previous career as a jockey and the time he had a mount in the Kentucky Derby—tales that were believable because he was a tad under 5 feet."
Luster was considered a mentor to many photographers, including BloodHorse visuals director Anne Eberhardt.
"I met Bill on the final turn at the Kentucky Derby, where I was running remote cameras as a young photographer," Eberhardt said. "He was so positive and full of sass, putting me at ease while teaching me so much. That fortunate moment started a lifelong friendship with Bill and his generous and loving wife Linda. My deepest sympathies to his family."
BloodHorse contributing photographer Dan Dry on social media noted Luster's passing.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I post about the passing of my dear friend, mentor, and one of the best photographers to ever hold a camera, Bill Luster," Dry wrote.
Even after his retirement from the paper, he continued to shoot the Kentucky Derby until a few years ago because of increasing health and mobility issues.
Luster won the Joseph Sprague Award and the Joseph Costa Award from the National Press Photographers Association. He also was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Born in 1944 in Glasgow, Ky., to Betty and Earl Luster, Bill Luster graduated from Glasgow High School in 1962 and went to Western Kentucky State College, where he first displayed an interest in photography. Later, he became a photographer and sports writer for the Glasgow Daily Times and later joined The Courier Journal and Louisville Times. He spent 42 years at The Courier Journal.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Shearer; his son, Joseph, and daughter-in-law, Lauren, and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held June 7 at 2 p.m. ET at Highland Baptist Church, located at 1101 Cherokee Road in Louisville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the University of Louisville Photographic Archives or the Norton Hospice Unit at Norton Brownsboro Hospital.
