Karsh:American Legends (Springs of Achievement Series on the Art of Photography) by Yousuf Karsh

by Yousuf Karsh

In this glorious book of photographs, you will not find any pictures of anorexic teenage models or sulking grunge rockers, no one-hit wonders or "flavors of the day." What you will find is a gallery of fascinating, compelling personalities--mature men and women who have literally shaped our era and measurably improved the quality of our lives. Compiled by photographer Yousuf Karsh (something of a legend himself), this book captures the essence of nearly 75 remarkable North Americans who have distinguished themselves in a wide variety of fields. Filled with unforgettable images of choreographer Judith Jamison, scientist Jonas Salk, humanitarian Mother Hale, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, puppeteer Jim Henson, golfer Arnold Palmer, and other "over-achievers," this photographic collection celebrates the triumph of genuine accomplishment over the cult of personality. 9 3/4" x 12 1/4". Color & b&w photos.

Genres: Photography, Art

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karsh remains brilliant, but I didn't feel like this is the strongest collection, with most of the shots being taken on assignment roughly around 1991. While his colour work here is beautifully soft and warm, there just isn't quite the magic there that some of the older portraits have. I wondered if a big part of that was simply due to the passage of time, with people being media trained by that point, whereas his older photos coaxing craggy, curmudgeonly politicians or mercurial artists understandably conveyed more energy and charisma.

Many of the portraits that are more striking are of artists, or of people Karsh had encountered before. There are some interesting juxtapositions between warm, affable colour photographs and edgier or more solemn monochrome portraits of the same subjects from the same sittings that I wished would have been available for more of the subjects of the book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

(pre-Goodreads)

Enjoyed it.

Estimated date.