Having a young aspiring portrait photographer take my photo last night got me to thinking of one great artist, who was in fact the greatest portrait photographer who ever lived, who influenced me in how he approached his art. He was the Forest Gump of photography, seemingly able to photograph every influential human of the 20th Century. Karsh said simply of his art, " My chief joy is to photograph the great in heart, in mind, and in spirit, whether they be famous or humble."
As a young, aspiring painter in 1990, I sought out to meet paint portraits of artists who inspired me. One of them was Yousuf Karsh. I wrote him a letter, and was very surprised that he wrote me back, let alone considered my young, idealistic request. Mr. Karsh was truly generous in all three of the qualities that he looked for in his subjects.
Young Yousuf Karsh, then unknowing of the brilliant art he would produce.
A letter from Yousuf Karsh graciously declining my request to paint his portrait. The greatest rejection letter ever I could receive!