Born in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Compton, California, Howard Bingham began his career as a photographer for the Los Angeles Sentinel. His professional trajectory shifted significantly in 1962 when he was assigned to photograph a young Cassius Clay, sparking a lifelong friendship and professional partnership that allowed him unprecedented access to the boxer's private and public life.

Bingham's work is characterized by its candid, fly-on-the-wall perspective, capturing Ali during training sessions, quiet moments at home, and significant historical events. Beyond his work with Ali, he contributed photography to major publications including Life, Look, and Sports Illustrated, documenting the Civil Rights Movement and various cultural figures of the 20th century.

His legacy is defined by his role as both a visual chronicler and a trusted confidant to one of the most photographed individuals in history. His archives remain a primary visual resource for understanding the life of Muhammad Ali and the social landscape of the mid-to-late 20th century.