©Estate of Yousuf Karsh
My friend Jerry Fielder from Monterey, California, is the curator and director of The Yousuf Karsh Estate. He travels the world organizing and curating Karsh exhibitions, amongst his many responsibilities. Jerry visits Paris every year for about 5 months and this year he is here for the newly opened Karsh exhibit at the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art and Culture.
Yousuf Karsh
Yousuf Karsh, of Armenian descent, was born in 1908 in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) and had a grim childhood during the Armenian Genocide, where he saw countless relatives and friends massacred. He eventually made his way to Canada at age 16 to live with an uncle who was a photographer. He worked in his uncle’s studio and his uncle recognized his nephew’s talent for photography, sending him to apprentice with a portrait photographer in Boston, John Garo. After, he moved to Ottawa he apprenticed with photographer John Powls and Powls retired a few months later. Karsh took over his studio and started to make a name for himself. Prime minister Mackenzie King discovered Karsh and had him do portraits of visiting dignitaries. It eventually led to a golden opportunity: Karsh was asked to photograph Winston Churchill in 1941. It brought him instant international fame and the portrait is one of the most reproduced portrait images in the world. In the 2000 Millennium edition of "Who's Who in the World" Karsh was selected as one the 100 most influential personalities of the 20th Century. Over the six decades of his career, Karsh had photographed 51 of the others on the list, including presidents, politicians, sport stars, artists, movie stars, writers, and humanitarians.
Jerry was kind enough to give me a personal tour the week before last. He immersed me in the world of Karsh portrait by portrait, disclosing fascinating stories and the inside scoop about some of Karsh’s subjects. Jerry also told me some interesting facts about the way Karsh worked with his subjects and his photo techniques.
Karsh never asked anyone to pose for him. He thought it was asking them a favor and he didn’t like to ask for favors. His subjects always asked for him to photograph them.
Karsh insisted that his subjects show up alone and without an entourage. He also asked them not to have their hair cut before their session. He wanted them to look as natural as possible.
Karsh was not only a gifted photographer but was also a master technician.
Grace Kelly was pregnant when Karsh took her portrait in 1956 and at the time it was frowned upon to show a woman pregnant. Grace was told to put on a white mink stole to cover her bundle of joy and the photo was cropped just below her neck. Another photo of her was taken at the same time with her husband Prince Rainier. The portrait was circular, most unusual for Karsh. Only two prints were made and one was presented as a gift to President Kennedy when they attended a dinner at the White House.
©Estate of Yousuf Karsh
When Karsh went to photograph French Nobel prizewinning writer Francois Mauriac in Paris, he attempted to set up his equipment. All the lights blew out when he plugged in the lights and the apartment went dark. Luckily Karsh was well trained to photograph in natural light and propped a white sheet next to Mauriac as a reflector to make the portrait.
©Estate of Yousuf Karsh
In 1949, Karsh photographed Jean Cocteau and came up with a clever idea: He asked Cocteau to put his signature black lines on the negative.
©Estate of Yousuf Karsh
The last photograph of the exhibition was of Jacqueline Kennedy, looking quite elegant and regal in a white strapless evening gown, and was taken in 1957. Jerry asked me why I thought he chose this photograph last. My obvious answer was he saved the best for last. He said, “What other photo could I put on such an ornately gilded door?”
I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the world of Karsh with Jerry and now inspired for my own photography.
Do you know any celebrities who want to be photographed by me in Paris?
Till January 26
Yousuf Karsh Icons of the XXth Century
34 Ave. de New York, 75016
Metro: Alma Marceau
Open Wednesday to Saturday 10AM to 6PM
http://monabismarck.org/programmes/exposition
Jerry Fielder
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
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