“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, 1967
Karsh was born in Mardin in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) in 1908, and grew up during the Armenian Genocide. At the age of sixteen he was sent to live with his uncle, George Nakash, a photographer in Canada. Karsh assisted in his uncle’s studio, and Nakash saw great potential in him, arranging for Karsh to be an apprentice to well known photographer John Garo’s in 1928.
In 1931 Karsh began working with another photographer, John Powls, in Ottawa, and when Powls retired in 1933 Karsh took over his studio. Karsh’s work was soon noticed by the Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, and Karsh was appointed as the official portrait photographer of the Canadian government in 1935.
A portrait of Winston Churchill, taken in 1941, gave Karsh international prominence, and is claimed to be the most reproduced photographic portrait in history. Karsh had an intimate and compassionate view of humanity, and a gift for capturing those telling, unguarded moments in his sitters. His portraits are raw, yet artistic, and combine form, texture, and light masterfully. Karsh was also skilled at establishing a rapport with his sitters very quickly. His body of work includes portraits of statesmen, artists, musicians, authors, scientists, and Hollywood celebrities.
Karsh’s Work
Fidel Castro, 1971
I find this portrait exceptionally intriguing, and in viewing it feel like I am involved in a stare-down with Castro. Karsh somehow manages to capture Castro’s relentless defiance, as well as his charm. The lighting is perfect, showing every detail, from the puffiness of Castro’s fatigued eyes to the grey hairs in his beard.
Helen Keller with Polly Thompson, 1948
This beautiful photograph reveals the gentle, caring nature of both Keller, and her companion Thompson, as well as the inspiring friendship shared between the two women. Neither of the women look as if they are posing for the camera, rather it seems as though the viewer is witnessing a private moment between them. The lighting used draws attention to the women’s faces and hands, emphasizing their bond, and giving them an almost transcendental quality.
Humphrey Bogart, 1946
I love the artistic nature of this portrait created by the rising smoke of Bogart’s cigarette and the gesture of his hands. There is no Hollywood glamour in this image, just a photograph of a man captured in an earnest moment.
Nelson Mandela, 1990
Mandela arrived at Karsh’s studio in Ottawa just an hour after completing the long journey from South Africa. Karsh could see that Mandela was exhausted, and that it would be difficult to get an ‘honest’ portrait because of this. So Karsh tried to warm things up by recounting a recent session in which he had photographed the Pope. Karsh explained that he had asked the Pope “How many people work at the Vatican?” to which the Pope replied, after careful consideration, “About half of them”. Mandela found this hilarious and for a moment the exhaustion lifted from his face. It was this moment that Karsh captured.
Karsh really has captured the essence of this great man, portraying his warmth, grace, and sense of humour.