Toronto camera store owner avid Karsh collector

[easyrider]

He just had an exhibition. Karsh was not really an RFF guy but he did use film 🙂)

Here is a link to the story:


http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=1984656

 

[FrankS]

Ah, Karsh. Was he really that good, or was it the fact that he had access to famous peoople for subjects? I'm not sure.

 

[Pablito]

Great story, thanks!

 

[Pablito]

He got the access to the famous people because he was that good.

 

[FrankS]

Certainly he was very good, but isn't he famous because of the famous people he photographed rather than his creativity?

I'm just going to say that Karsh is over-rated in my own opinion, and leave it at that. Certainly very good, but not one of the greats.

 

[Frank Petronio]

It was no mean feat simply to get an attractive portrait with that 8x10 outfit he used. Having shot 8x10 portraits myself, I have no idea how he got the Churchill portrait without loosing focus. That's the one where he pulled Winston's cigar out of his hands.

 

[capitalK]

I always avoided that store because I heard they sell grey-market equipment (Google it). I might have to pop by and look at the gallery, though.

 

[VictorM.]

Karsh is overrated. His real talent was getting access to famous people which then led to other famous people. It's called self-promotion.

Portraits with an 8X10 camera aren't that difficult. As with anything, practice, practice, practice.

 

[easyrider]

Ah, Karsh. Was he really that good, or was it the fact that he had access to famous people for subjects? I'm not sure.

One goes with the other. Being good alone is not enough and having access and NOT being good won't keep your access going.

He was well promoted, mostly by his wife, Estrelita.

I guess once you are on a roll with famous people, every other celebrity wants to be "done" by you. His first coup was, of course, the Churchill photo where he grabbed the cigar out of his mouth and captured him looking fierce.

 

[easyrider]

I always avoided that store because I heard they sell grey-market equipment (Google it). I might have to pop by and look at the gallery, though.

I think they are not "official" distributors for some makes but they seem honest and straightforward. I bought a Nikon SB600 there. They always have a stand at the camera flea markets.

Not sure whether there are any bargains to be had there. The prices seem the same as elsewhere.