Yousuf Karsh... I never knew

[John Conway]

Just about every book on photography that passed through my local library has been in my hands. The bookshelves in my home are loaded with books on photography. I have always been impressed with portraits of Hemingway and Churchill, but somehow never realized the genius of Karsh.

[jp]

You should check out the actual prints sometime!

[Frank Petronio]

And those old timers used earlier cameras and lenses (and lights) that a lot of us would snuff at too!

[Jim Jones]

The quality of reproduction in books varies widely. In 1959 the University of Toronto Press issued a large first edition of Karsh's Portraits of Greatness. It was printed in Holland on heavy paper with the rotogravure process that yielded velvety blacks and fine detail. Each page can easily be removed for framing. Subsequent editions are often printed in halftone, which rarely does Karsh justice. Unfortunately, most booksellers have wised up to the value of the first edition, and they are usually expensive. Occasionally a dealer slips up and lets one go at an affordable price. Of course the large original prints are even better. I saw some in 1978, when they were priced at a mere $600 to $1200. The same gallery had framed Cole Weston 20x24 color prints and his contact prints from Edward Weston negatives for $225.

[cdholden]

And those old timers...
<snip>

Pot... kettle... black...

[Heroique]

I have always been impressed with portraits of Churchill...

Here’s his portrait of Winston Churchill, 1941.

Would you drop bombs on this man’s city?

[rwhb1]

Does anyone know what combination of camera, film etc. were used by Karsh?

I often look at these old masters and think how did they do that, especially of the great film studio photographers.

Russ

[cowanw]

Much of that detail is in this biography. This is really the best of any of his biographies.
Portrait in Light and Shadow: The Life of Yousuf Karsh

[Helen Bach]

Here’s his portrait of Winston Churchill, 1941.

Would you drop bombs on this man’s city?

Would you take this man's cigar away?*

A friend of mine has an original print of this portrait - it is rather good.

Best,
Helen

*Karsh famously took Winston's cigar off him immediately before taking the picture.

[George Richards]

Does anyone know what combination of camera, film etc. were used by Karsh?

I often look at these old masters and think how did they do that, especially of the great film studio photographers.

Russ

Here's a link to some of his cameras.
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.c...ion/karsh5.cfm