Karsh was a photographer who portrayed many of the most influential personalities of his day. He was also a photographer who inspired me personally from the moment I saw a large volume of his work in a college library book a long time ago. Many years later in 1976, I wrote to the great man before I went off hitch hiking across Canada from Toronto to the city of Ottawa where he was based. To my astonishment, he replied and even more astonishingly invited me in at the beautiful and grand hotel of the Château Laurier where he was based. There, I spent a frankly over-awed hour with him as he showed me around his studio and darkroom. I found him to be a very intense but humble man with a deep and quiet demeanour and great patience. It was a real honour.
"Within every man and woman a secret is hidden, and as a photographer it is my task to reveal it if I can. The revelation, if it comes at all, will come in a small fraction of a second with an unconscious gesture, a gleam of the eye, a brief lifting of the mask that all humans wear to conceal their innermost selves from the world. In that fleeting interval of opportunity the photographer must act or lose his prize."
Yousuf Karsh
Yousuf Karsh's images have become iconic representations of some of the most notable figures of the 20th century. His photographs captured the essence of his subjects, whether they were politicians, actors, artists, or scientists, and his careful use of light and shadow created images both striking and timeless.
Born in Armenia in 1908, Karsh grew up in Syria and was sent to Canada at the age of 16 to live with his uncle. He initially planned to study medicine, but after a chance encounter with the photographer John Garo, he decided to pursue photography instead. In the late 1920s, Karsh began working as an apprentice in Garo's studio and later opened his own studio in Ottawa.
Karsh's career took off in the 1940s, when he was commissioned to photograph Winston Churchill during his visit to Ottawa. The now-famous photograph of Churchill, which captures the Prime Minister's resolute expression, is considered one of Karsh's greatest achievements. The image catapulted Karsh to fame, and he went on to photograph many other famous figures, including Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, and Audrey Hepburn.
One of the key elements of Karsh's photography was his use of light and shadow to create dramatic and moody images. He often used a technique called "Rembrandt lighting," where the subject is lit from the side, creating a distinctive triangular shadow under one eye. This technique not only added depth and dimension to his portraits, but it also helped to capture the personality of his subjects.
Another important aspect of Karsh's work was his ability to establish a rapport with his subjects. He believed that a portrait was not just about capturing a likeness, but also about capturing the subject's personality and character. To do this, Karsh would often spend time with his subjects before the shoot, getting to know them and putting them at ease. He believed that this personal connection was essential for capturing a great portrait.
Karsh's photographs are celebrated for their technical brilliance and their ability to capture the spirit of his subjects. His style may seem dated by today's standards, but his portraits remain timeless as they continue to be admired and studied by photographers and art enthusiasts alike. Karsh's legacy as a portrait photographer is significant, and his images are a testament to the power of photography to capture the essence of humanity.
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