E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Classic portraiture is not of interest to many UHH members. There are only a few that have exhibited any talent, know-how or inter in that kind of work. The few that have posted fine work h only do so intermittently and or have gone.

By the reaction to this topic, there seems to be an undercurrent of disrespect for that aspect of the craft and very little interest in anyone that is not Ansel Adams.

There may quest posted about LIGHTING- so man folks haven't the slightest idea of how to use their flas gear. They discuss brand names, power settings and makes and models of modifiers but there is very little discussion of the aesthetics and dynamics of light. If fols are interested in photographing PEOPLE, not only birds, wildlife and inanimate objects, a lesson in Karshe's techniques would be eye-openong.

The kind of equipment in use is irreverent. Obviously, most folks are in digital hardware. but there's no such thing as a "digital light " or "digital people". The ways lig still a human face and figure have never changed. Capturing character and drama in a portrait goes back to the Old Master painters.

As it happens, I knew Mr. Karsh, his Uncle George Nakash, and his brother. I studied Yosef's work, met him on many occasions, attend many of his lectures, collaborated with his brother Malak, and sat in on 3 of his last sessions before he retired- LONG STORY. His last studio was in the Chateau Laurier Hotel, here in Ottawa. There is still room, with someof his portraits on display, in his honour.

Yes, the 8x10 camera with the Commercial Ektar lens was his mainstay camera for many years. He shot on the Orthochromeatic film processed in Pyro developer. His colour photography was done with a Gowlandflex 4x5 and a special custom-made set of electronic flash equipment, crafted for him by Norman.

Studying the work of an accomplished master is not to worship them, or necessarily emulate their style or exact technique. Opening your minds to what was done in the past does not mean reverting to the past. Gaining insight into great works, hard work, and successful imagery, fuels what you may accomplish in the future.

You do not need this forum to see Kash's work. There a many published books, exquisitely printed by the University of Tronto Press. They are easily found in the public library or neighbourhood bookstore. With a little respect and less dismissiveness, it would have made for an interesting thread but this one went sour before it got started.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

The war had ended; they met in the RCAF. I have a scan of their picture; I think I gave the original to my sister.

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

In the late 1970ies his work was on display at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago. I spent couple of hours studying his work. He truly a master at this art.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

"By the reaction to this topic, there seems to be an undercurrent of disrespect for that aspect of the craft and very little interest in anyone that is not Ansel Adams."

I'm not a professional photographer... was a hobby way back. I spent most of my teenage years in a darkroom and still haven't recovered. I don't care what the 'area' of interest is; I admire fine craft. As far as Adams goes, I think a couple of his photos can be improved on for composition, but generally he's great for that (I'm not trying to raise any hackles). What I admired about him (from 50 year memory) was the technical excellence of his photos.

Dik

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Funny - I recognized the name right away. Not sure why. I guess from seeing it in print so often referring to his portraits.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

When I was learning lighting and later when posing people in my studio, I studied the work of Karsh. I got lots of ideas from his books and techniques that I used on my clients. He was a very creative man.
…Cam

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I may be wrong, but I seem to recall that he came to fame as a result of a photo he took of a government official/leader.

srt101fan

It seems to me there are two ways to look at what you call "classic portraiture", as there are two ways to look at photographs of any genre. You can view an image within the context of the genre it represents - portraiture, landscape, street, product, etc - and reflect on it using standards and criteria generally accepted for that genre.

Or you can view a photo as a stand-alone, on its own merit, without reference to what it should look like as representative of a genre. I submit that Karsh wasn't just a great portraitist, he was a great photographer; his photos are'nt just great portraits, they are great photographs. Does this make sense....?

jlsphoto Loc: Chcago SubBurbs

I as well do not understand the undercurrent of disrespect of his craft. When i saw is large prints on display I was in total awe! The fine detail, expressions, and quality of the large prints were "OMG"

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I studied his work when I was getting my BFA in photography. I have always admired his portraits. I could never capture the moment like he did so I gave up on portrait photography. I rank him in the category of the "greats" . Right up there with Adams, Avadon, and Lang.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

"I as well do not understand the undercurrent of disrespect of his craft. When i saw is large prints on display I was in total awe! The fine detail, expressions, and quality of the large prints were "OMG""

I assume you are making reference to both Adams and Karsh.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I am not interested in portrait photography. My photographic interest is more along the lines of Lewis Hine and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Hip Coyote

Does anyone have a good link to see some of his work?

I dabble in portraiture...not my main thing but find myself lured by the lighting challenges.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Me too. Loved his work.
https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/06/12/yousuf-karsh-bust-unveiled-in-downtown-ottawa/


Like...maybe....Winston Churchill?
Anyone hear of how the famous photo of Winston Churchill happened?

“ It was one of the most famous portraits ever made. Some say it is the most reproduced image in history. It was on the cover of LIFE magazine when WWII ended. The photo was taken by one of the most famous portrait photographers, Yousef Karsh–known as Karsh of Ottawa–on 30 December, 1941, after Churchill gave a speech to Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa. [On the 60th anniversary of that famous speech, Canada honored Karsh and Churchill with a commemorative stamp featuring above photo.]

Karsh was hired by the Canadian government to do this portrait and knew he would have very little time to make the picture. He began by researching Churchill, taking notes on all of the prime minister’s habits, quirks, attitudes and tendencies. When he finally got Churchill seated in the chair, with lights blazing, Churchill snapped “You have two minutes. And that’s it, two minutes.” The truth was that Churchill was angry that he had not been told he was to be photographed; he lit a fresh cigar and puffed mischievously.

Karsh asked Churchill to remove the cigar in his mouth, but Churchill refused. Karsh walked up to Churchill supposedly to get a light level and casually pulled the signature cigar from the lips of Churchill and walked back toward his camera. As he walked he clicked his camera remote, capturing the ‘determined’ look on Churchill’s face, which was in fact a reflection of his indignantcy. Karsh recounted: “I stepped toward him and without premeditation, but ever so respectfully, I said, ‘Forgive me, Sir’ and plucked the cigar out of his mouth. By the time I got back to my camera, he looked so belligerent he could have devoured me. It was at that instant I took the photograph. The silence was deafening. Then Mr Churchill, smiling benignly, said, ‘You may take another one.’ He walked toward me, shook my hand and said, ‘You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed.'”

The next photo Karsh took, where Churchill was smiling, was less memorable:”

"The Roaring Lion"


Tribute in Ottawa

(Download)

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

I agree. There does seem to be a problem with strong egos and weak minds.