Karsh, Yousuf << kahrsh, YOO suf >> (1908-2002), a Canadian photographer, became famous for his portraits of leading international figures in politics, literature, and the arts. Karsh had a solemn photographic style in which light and shadow are placed in strong contrast for dramatic effect. His compositions are simple. He used props and the natural expressions and gestures of his subjects to help reveal their personality.
Karsh’s photographs have been widely published and are included in the collections of many museums. His best-known portraits include those of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, United States President John F. Kennedy, and the famous German-born physicist Albert Einstein.
Karsh was born on Dec. 23, 1908, in Mardin, Turkish Armenia. In 1924, he was brought to Canada by his uncle, who taught him about photography. Karsh later worked in Boston for a time as an apprentice to John H. Garo, a photographer noted for his portraiture. In 1932, Karsh opened his own studio in Ottawa, Canada. He became a Canadian citizen in 1946. Karsh died on July 13, 2002.
