We all marvel at the work of Yosef Karsh, Canada’s foremost photographer. Did you ever wonder what technique Karsh used to capture Winston Churchill? One of Churchill’s trademarks was his cigar. When Karsh posed Churchill, he allowed Churchill to hold his cigar. Karsh, in his informal style, walked up to Churchill supposedly to get a light level. He held in his hand the remote for his camera.Standing in front of Churchill, Karsh casually pulled the cigar from the lips of Churchill and walked back toward his camera. As he walked he clicked his remote and captured the “cross and indignant” look on Churchill’s face.
Compare the photograph on the left to any other shot of Winston Churchill and you will agree that Yosef Karsh was a master psychologist!
(Churchill’s cigar played a role in another Mysteries of Canada story. See: Buzz Bombing of the Peace Tower