Reading Yousuf Karsh

[Robert Brummitt]

I’m currently reading Yousuf Karsh’s biography “In search of Greatness”. In it he has about 12 pages discussing his approach of photography and I thought I’d share this bit of wisdom.
“I believe that it is the Artist’s job to accomplish at lease two things- to stir the emotions of the viewer and to lay bare the soul of his subject. When my own emotions have been stirred, I hope I can succeed in stirring those of others. But it is the mind and soul of the personality before my camera that interests me the most, and the greater the mind and soul, the greater my interest.”
Yousuf Karsh.
What do you think?

[Robert Brummitt]

Here is another gem I picked up from Karshe's book.
“Everyday we witness commendable amateur efforts, very often made in colour. I mean amateur in the true sense, that is taken by people who do not earn their living through photography. We must always be prepared for happy surprises from such amateurs, because they are the most likely of all to be uninhibited in their approach”
Yousuf Karsh