Yusuf karsh and Nadav Kander

Yousef Karsh is known to be one of the greatest portrait photographer of 20th century. He shot portraits of many renowned celebrities, leaders and scientists. He worked with large format cameras. He used tungsten lights during his shoot because it was easier for him how the photo would come out before he even shot the picture. He only worked with one assistant wherever he was because he didn’t want anybody to disturb his concentration to his subject. He preferred to take portraits of people in their own environment where they can be natural. He would then consider the subjects body languages, gestures and facial expression to capture their personality in the picture.  

Nadav Kander is another Known Portrait photographer born in 1961. His works appear in popular magazines like time, rolling stone, New York time. His idea of keeping the props and background simple matches with Yousef Karsh. Looking at his work, they don’t look like regular portraits. They have a underlying creative idea. They look more of a fine art portraiture. The use of lighting are very dramatic because of the harsh shadows.  

I like Sir Winston Churchill portrait by Yousef Karsh. I read the story behind this photo thought it was quite interesting. Yousef Karsh perfectly snapped this portrait right after he snatched Churchill’s cigar.  The picture came out perfect. The pose, the expression, the lights is on point.  I like how the light is focused on the face with a shadow on the edge of his face.  

I like Barack Obama’s portrait by Nadav Kander. I like the black and white contrast. It adds drama and mysterious mood. This portrait doesn’t approach the subject for what everybody knows him as but approaches in personal level more like who he is as a regular man.

One thought on “Yusuf karsh and Nadav Kander

  1. rmichals

    The photo of Churchill is a great example of the photographer doing whatever it takes to get the right expression out of the subject. It is easy to teach lighting technique but interacting with the subject depends on instinct. Often the hardest thing is simply to help the subject feel comfortable in front of the camera. This depends on empathy.

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