The PHSC E-MAIL Volume 2-3, Supplement to Photographic Canadiana, July 2002 The Photographic Historical Society of Canada

Summer communications… Location/Date/Times for The PHSC Executive are still busy over the summer so you can look for- PHSC Monthly Meetings ward to an interesting Fall series of events and programs when we convene again in September. Look for an important catalogued mail/phone auction of are held on the third Wednesday from the Walter Shean Collection. It is taking much effort by officers to sort, price September to June in the Burgundy Room of the North York Central Library, and catalogue the many items. There are some very important and high pro- 5120 Yonge Street, North York, Ontario. file cameras included in the sale such as a rare wood Prestwich hand- The meeting officially begins at 8:00 p.m. cranked movie camera (c. 1899), nineteenth century wood cameras and but is preceded by a Buy & Sell and social brass lenses plus collectibles by Leica, Nikon, Voigtländer, etc. Walter gathering from 7:00 p.m. onwards. For Shean, Charter Member #71, passed away in March of this year and his information contact the PHSC or Gerald executors chose to have the Society dispose of his photographic collection. Loban, 64 Fonthill Blvd., Unionville, Ont., The catalogue will be distributed free to PHSC members, will be posted on L3R 1V7, (905) 477-3382. the Society web site or can be purchased by mail for $3.00. Distribution date is yet to be finalized. Programming Schedule: September 18th 2002 -First meeting of the Fall series. Topic to be announced PASSES AT THE AGE OF 93 October 20th (Sunday) 2002 Canadian portrait photogra- -PHSC Fall Fair is scheduled for pher Yousuf Karsh who immor- the Coffee Time Soccer Centre Ð talized the great personalities of big aisles, good lighting, great the world has passed away at crowds. Contact Larry Boccioletti the age of 93. For decades he for table reservations: 416 243- was called upon to portray 1439 or [email protected] kings, queens, scientists and The PHSC stands down for two doctors, actors and writers, and months during the summer but politicians of all stripes. Executive activities will continue. Programming will resume on Born in 1908 of Armenian September 18th while the Fall Fair parents in eastern Turkey at a will be held Sunday, October 20th time when Armenians were the at our Coffee Time Soccer Centre PORTRAIT BY KARSH OF OTTAWA PORTRAIT objects of bitter persecution, location. Karsh was sent to Canada by Program Director Gerry Loban his parents. He arrived in 1925 needs suggestions from members at the age of 16 to work for an for the Fall series of programs Ð uncle Nakash in Sherbrooke, fresh ideas are needed, different Que., who had an established photographic studio. Given a box camera speakers from far and wide, tours, Yousuf soon showed he had the talent to create artistic photographs. Uncle digital? Talk to Gerry Loban at Nakash scraped the cash together to apprentice the youthful photographer 905 477-3382. with the noted portraitist John H. Garo in Boston. Under his tutelage he FOR THE LATEST learned the control of lighting in the pictorial tradition of the daylight studio. PROGRAM UPDATES Design, composition and the humanities were voraciously studied at the CHECK THE PHSC WEB SITE AT Public Library which became a second home. After three years Mr. Karsh http://www.phsc.ca removed to Ottawa in 1932 where he established his own studio with only TO CONTACT THE PHSC VIA E-MAIL the basics of equipment. His introduction to the Ottawa Little Theatre brought [email protected] him in contact with Solange Gauthier who was to become his first wife. He was also attracted to the electrified stage lighting which changed his photo- PLEASE POST A COPY OF graphic techniques forever. Spotlights added the dazzling catchlights while THIS E-MAIL broad floodlamps gave somber shadows that captured the sitters personali- FOR OTHERS TO READ OR ty. Hands were always a feature. The photographing of in E-MAIL TO A FRIEND 1941 changed his life forever and the world’s great leaders and personalities beat a steady path to his door to be immortalized by “Karsh of Ottawa”. THE PHSC E-MAIL 1 VOL 2-3 JULY 2002 THIS SUNDAY Ð JULY 21, 2002 HUGE OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FLEA MARKET 30 tables of photographic equipment will be on hand this Sunday from 9 AM til 3 PM in the PARKING LOT of the Lions Club Community Center, 3 Queensway Court, 1 block west of Kipling, south of the Queensway, Toronto. There’s FREE admission and you can Buy, Sell, Trade of Browse. ENLARGERS ¥ ¥ DARKROOM GEAR AND ACCESSORIES USER AND COLLECTIBLE STILL & MOVIE CAMERAS ¥ ¥ LIGHTING IMAGES ¥ ¥ LITERATURE ¥ ¥ NOVELTIES COMPUTERS ¥ ¥ DIGITAL CAMERAS If you want to reserve a table at @$30.00 call Larry at 416 243-1439

ROBERT SQUIRES PASSES MARK THIS DATE! IT ALL Longtime member Robert Squires CAME BACK of Brantford died at the Willett Hospital SEPTEMBER 19-21 in Paris, ONT.on June 28th. He was 76 After our plea in the last PHSC years old. Bob joined the PHSC in 2003 E-Mail alerting of the theft of much 1979 and was member number 307. photographic equipment from mem- He served with the executive for a That’s the date for ber Werner Drechsel, there have number of terms. Bob grew up in been a few things happening. Mattawa and North Bay, graduating PhotoHistory XII Werner is a constant surfer of B.Sc Engineering Physics from the The 12th Triennial Symposium eBay and was quite surprised to see University of Toronto in 1948. After on the all his stolen equipment offered there some years geophysical prospecting History of Photography in Northern Canada, he became a well to any bidders. He quickly notified respected physics teacher at Brantford First announcements are now out for York Regional Police and provided Collegiate Institute from 1963 to 1987. not-to-be-missed Photo History XII them with the ebay name of the sell- He was an active member of the held every three years since 1970 by er. They quickly put a stop to that Brantford Writers Club, Cambridge The Photographic Historical Society particular auction. in cooperation with the International and Toronto Photography Clubs, and The police then confiscated the Museum of Photography at the Brantford Amateur Radio Club. He will lot from an innocent person in George Eastman House in be greatly missed by those in the com- Etobicoke who had purchased the Rochester, N.Y. There is a request munity who were enriched in various equipment from “Cash Converters” now for abstracts to be presented as ways by his kindness and generosity. where the perpetrator had sold lectures. Contact Nick Graver, them. This poor chap is out a lot of He is survived by wife Helen (nee Program Chairman at P.O. Box money so beware when buying used St. John), son David, daughter Mary, 10434, Rochester, NY 14610 or equipment and be sure to get a their families and the grandchildren. [email protected] signed/identifiable receipt.

THE PHSC E-MAIL 2 VOL 2-3 JULY 2002 “Churchill” by Karsh… Over the years a number of articles very tired and rather have appeared about how Yousuf green looking person Karsh photographed Prime Minister came back Ð excited, yes, Winston Churchill when he visited but I wanted to hear all Ottawa in December 1941. about it and that, right Variations seem to creep into the tale away. So I made him sit so I was happy to find the following down and smoke a ciga- story reproduced in the April 1942 rette while I, with pencil issue of PHO-TOPICS, newsletter for and paper, took down the Ontario Society of Photographers. everything he said. I knew Since the story was an account full well that the next day drawn up on the very day of the actu- would be too late to get al sitting by non-other than Madame the details of how the por- Solange Karsh, first wife of Mr. Karsh, trait was made. So now, then surely this must be the best and here is what Yousuf Karsh truest account of events. An interest- told me about how it was ing side-bar lists equipment and all done. I am simply quot- process used for the assignment ing him. offering insights, which experienced photographers can appreciate as to “When I saw the Speaker’s Chamber, I

how the photographs where taken. Credit Photographs: of Canada Karsh / National Archives Yousuf knew that some of the Ð Robert Lansdale editor paintings of great figures in Canadian history would have to come off the walls “Churchill” by Karsh if I were to make a real portrait of Churchill, and I got mem- King and all of Churchill’s entourage As Related by Madame Solange Karsh bers of the staff of the House to laugh. On the day before the great come and remove paintings, shift furniture and give me a clear space. “Mr. Churchill growled, but being Churchill was to speak in the House the man that he is, could not help of Commons at Ottawa, Yousuf “Then we set up the lights and but respond and said Ð ‘Well, one Karsh had been told that he would the camera and I had someone photograph and one only’. But I had be given an opportunity of making a pose for me as a “standin” for Mr. decided that to take just one nega- portrait of Mr. Churchill but that he Churchill, prepared everything and tive of such a great man would be could only have just a few minutes. decided on the exact spot where I impossible, so I took all my courage What a day that was! For Yousuf wanted Prime Minister Churchill to in my hands and said Ð ‘No, two, just Karsh never takes anything casual- stand. Then I went into the House and only two but TWO!’ ly, let alone photographing and listened to the great man’s speech. “Very grudgingly he got into Churchill. But the next day Ð the day position. Cigar stuck at its famous of the photograph Ð well, that was “While listening to Mr. Churchill, angle. But I was determined that I worse and I wondered if all the pho- I had seen just the pose I wanted would not make another of those tographers were the same Ð upset, him to adopt for then photograph cigar pictures, so while he resentful- tense, nervous Ð and if so, how did and I felt quite ready. But he had not ly looked at me I said that I had an other wives stand it. been told that he would have to ashtray all prepared for him and It was a day of great anxiety, of pose for a portrait and when he saw went up and simply removed the testing this and testing that; of rush- me and all the lights he became he cigar from his mouth. I had no soon- ing around; of going to the House of became very rebellious and simply er placed the cigar in the ashtray Commons and deciding just how refused to give me even five min- than it disappeared Ð taken as a the Speaker’s Chamber would be utes. souvenir by one of the attendants. as a background. Right after lunch Ð “My heart sank but I could not “The first portrait of Churchill I don’t believe Yousuf Karsh ate any- give up so I made a speech which was very solemn and dour and I thing, but I did not enquire Ð I have ran something like this Ð ‘Sir, these reminded him that there was just learned better Ð he and an assistant photographs may be the ones which another one to be made. This sec- left for the Parliament Buildings. The will serve as a constant source of ond portrait wore a smile of confi- rest of the staff and myself waited at hope and inspiration which you dence Ð confidence inn the right- the studio tense and expectant. have created in the heart of the civ- eousness of a great cause which Late, very late in the afternoon a ilized world’. I know it was a bad could not be lost and God helping speech, but it made Mr. McKenzie him, he would see it was not lost. THE PHSC E-MAIL 3 VOL 2-3 JULY 2002 Credit Photographs: of Canada Karsh / National Archives Yousuf

The two portraits compared Ð “The Roaring Lion” and the rarely seen “Smile”. Early inter- pretations of the negative showed detail in the hair and the background panelling. It was not until those same portions were burned down that the true scowl emerged so forcefully.

But that was all. Two negatives and ing for I have noticed that Yousuf An interesting sidebar to the article no more. Karsh is always most humble when lists the equipment and processing he has succeeded in a difficult task. used for the assignment. “Mr. Glen, the Speaker of the Solange Karsh Corrections to typos have not been House, was ready with a fresh cigar, made. ÐR.L. which he lit for the great man. Perhaps the cigar was the reason for [Pho-Topics] Editor’s Note: Churchill’s treasured few words to me which I shall go on cherishing for We regret that copyright restric- Camera Ð 8 by 10 View Camera. the rest of my life Ð ‘Well, you cer- tions on reproduction size would not Lens Ð 14 inch Ecktar Ð F:6.3. permit the illustration of Mr. Karsh’s tainly can make a roaring lion stand article with one of the Churchill pho- Exposure Ð 1/10 second: still and be photographed’.” tographs. The “dour” pose (which we appurture F. 11. During the time I was taking assume was the first shot) gained Film Ð 8 by 10 Super XX wide publicity through full-page down the notes and Yousuf Karsh Panchromatic film. reproduction in “Life” Magazine. Developer Ð Metal-Hydrochinon. was coming back to a more natural Canadian Ladies Home Journal color, the assistant had been prepar- illustrated an article on the Churchill Lights Ð Eight No. 1 photofloods ing just the perfect developer. There visit with an excellent reproduction in one cabinet with tracing cloth was no use thinking that one minute of the “smile of confidence” pose for diffusion. would be wasted before results could which Mr. Karsh says his famous One No. 1 photoflood for back- be learned. subject had when he made the sec- lighting in a small flexible reflector. ond negative. So my photographer husband closeted himself in the darkroom and In photographing Mr. Churchill, I waited, waited most impatiently. Yousuf Karsh proved that a photog- rapher, to be successful, must be When his voice came from above resourceful, confident and persis- telling me to come and see the two tent. Its the man behind the camera negatives I knew that he had suc- that achieves the results and to you, ceeded. I rushed up and when I saw Mr. Karsh, our professional congrat- them, and saw my lord and master’s ulations for an excellent job. shining face, there was much rejoic- ing and yet much humility in his bear-

THE PHSC E-MAIL 4 VOL 2-3 JULY 2002