Kishin Shinoyama: Photographer of iconic John Lennon-Yoko Ono photo dies

Yoko Ono and photographer Kishin Shinoyama pose at his photo exhibition in 2010

Japanese photographer, Kishin Shinoyama, who took one of the last pictures of John Lennon with Yoko Ono has died at the age of 83.

He spent five days with the couple in 1980 and his photo of them kissing was used on the cover of the couple's album, Double Fantasy.

It was one of the last photographs of Lennon - taken months before his death.

Shinoyama later acknowledged that it was he who suggested the couple kiss for the shot.

"I think it was their happiest moment," he said. "I was fortunate to have been there and I feel privileged to have captured the moment."

Shinoyama was also known for his artistic nudes of women.

A solo exhibition of his work has attracted more than 1 million visitors since 2012.

'Social phenomenon'

Born in Tokyo in 1940, Shinoyama studied photography at the Nihon University College of Art.

He became a freelance photographer in 1968 after working for an advertising agency.

Shinoyama gained fame for his pictures of celebrities - including one of novelist Yukio Mishima that was taken shortly before he killed himself.

"Time continues to die and photography is a tool to record those dying moments," he said in an interview with Japanese essayist Ririko Amakasu in 2014.

His nude pictures of star actresses Rie Miyazawa and Kanako Higuchi, became hugely popular and caused a social phenomenon when they were released in 1991.

Shinoyama said he was good at "disappearing" whilst taking pictures which is why his models didn't mind his presence.