Yousuf Karsh. Winston Churchill, Canada, 1941
Photo Credit: Portraits of Greatness by Yousuf Karsh (Nelson; 2nd Edition (January 1, 1959)

We are turning our lenses towards one of the most timeless portraits ever captured by the brilliant Yousuf Karsh, a photographer revered for his uncanny ability to seize powerful and meaningful expressions through his lens. Karsh’s style is often noted for its cinematic flair, expertly using flash lighting to unveil deep textures and sharp details in his subjects.

Today, we’re spotlighting the iconic 1941 portrait of Winston Churchill. Churchill, known for his affection for cigars, had one firmly placed in his mouth and was rather unwilling to relinquish it. Karsh walked up to Churchill, respectfully took the cigar from his mouth, went back to his camera, and released the shutter. The resulting photograph captured Churchill’s furrowed brows and stern, even belligerent look – a true representation of the determination and resilience that marked his wartime leadership.

@daniebester, in his classes often highlights the importance of capturing authentic expressions as the final frontier of a great portrait. This portrait of Churchill serves as a testament to Karsh’s ability to uncover the soul that resides within each photographic moment.

As portrait photographers, our primary aim should always be to capture truly remarkable expressions, whether we are photographing an individual, a family, or a business portrait. Creating an expressive portrait requires a deep emphasis on emotion and genuine expressions, and the photographer plays just as an important part in capturing, or rather creating, a meaningful expression. As Edward Steichen said, “A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.”

To create emotional and expressive portraits, consider these tips:

1. Get to know your subject beforehand to depict a more personal and authentic representation in the portrait.

2. Setting a comfortable atmosphere will lay the foundation to truly connect with the subject.

3. Masterful lighting to enhance the portrait’s mood.

4. Utilise the background wisely, integrating environmental aspects and textures that add depth and context to the photo.

5. Direct poses that accentuate the subject’s emotions rather than detract from them.

6. Focus on the eyes and facial expressions: exploit the rich stories that can only be attained through varied eye contacts and nuanced facial expressions.

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