A beautifully written piece about a man who did indeed capture the soul of those he photographed. Each picture is a work of art. I knew nothing of Karsh's life until I read this, and I shall look at these portraits in a fresh light in the future. Thank you!
I am sitting here looking at my wall. There is a Karsh photograph of Pablo Casals. Or should I say the back of him. Karsh thought of it as his only failure. Later in life he decided that he did it on purpose.... I have heard other versions. But from the Karsh website, here is his version:
Pablo Casals, 1954
“In the Abbey de Cuxa in Prades, I spent several glorious hours with the master of the cello. Our rapport was instantaneous - he trusted me to carry his cherished instrument. I was so moved on listening to him play Bach that I could not, for some moments, attend to photography. I have never photographed anyone, before or since, with his back turned to the camera, but it seemed to me just right. For me, the bare room conveys the loneliness of the artist, at the pinnacle of his art, and also the loneliness of exile."
I cannot attach the photograph here, but here is the link:
Thank you so much for your warm and kind words regarding this piece. I was so inspired when I discovered Karsh's website and his biography. It is such an inspirational story. Just to know how much he went through yet achieved such a result. It was also lovely to read how kind Canada was to him.
As the others have said, this is beautiful, Vashik. Your writing is becoming more and more impressive with every post.
Thank you so much Donna for all your support over the years! :)
A beautifully written piece about a man who did indeed capture the soul of those he photographed. Each picture is a work of art. I knew nothing of Karsh's life until I read this, and I shall look at these portraits in a fresh light in the future. Thank you!
Thank you so much Kevin for reading this! Karsh was truly unique!
I am speechless with the beauty and sensitivity of your presentation and writing.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for all your support! Karsh, like Bresson, was exceptionally unique.
Beautiful. Well written. Lovely presentation.
I am sitting here looking at my wall. There is a Karsh photograph of Pablo Casals. Or should I say the back of him. Karsh thought of it as his only failure. Later in life he decided that he did it on purpose.... I have heard other versions. But from the Karsh website, here is his version:
Pablo Casals, 1954
“In the Abbey de Cuxa in Prades, I spent several glorious hours with the master of the cello. Our rapport was instantaneous - he trusted me to carry his cherished instrument. I was so moved on listening to him play Bach that I could not, for some moments, attend to photography. I have never photographed anyone, before or since, with his back turned to the camera, but it seemed to me just right. For me, the bare room conveys the loneliness of the artist, at the pinnacle of his art, and also the loneliness of exile."
I cannot attach the photograph here, but here is the link:
https://karsh.org/photographs/pablo-casals/
I really enjoyed your post. Very well written. Karsh.... a great man and at least after a few years, a very celebrated fellow Canadian!
Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for your warm and kind words regarding this piece. I was so inspired when I discovered Karsh's website and his biography. It is such an inspirational story. Just to know how much he went through yet achieved such a result. It was also lovely to read how kind Canada was to him.
"It is only worthless men who seek to excuse the deterioration of their character by pleading and neglect in their early years."
"Each of us carries a light within, and the places we choose to illuminate with it ultimately define who we are."
I am forwarding this essay to an older photographer friend who I am sure knows of Yousuf Karsh and will really enjoy your writing of him.
Den