Photography by Yousuf Karsh

Yousuf Karsh  (December 23, 1908 – July 13, 2002) was a Canadian photographer of Armenian heritage and one of the most famous and accomplished portrait photographers of all time.

 Yousuf Karsh was a master of studio lights. One of Karsh's distinctive practices was lighting the subject's hands separately. He photographed many of the great and celebrated personalities of his generation.Throughout most of his career he used the 8×10 bellows Calumet (1997.0319) camera, made circa 1940 in Chicago.Journalist George Perry wrote in the British paper The Sunday Times that "when the famous start thinking of immortality, they call for Karsh of Ottawa."

                                                     

 

Yousuf Karsh said "My chief joy is to photograph the great in heart, in mind, and in spirit, whether they be famous or humble".