Three of these photos are portraits of famous people. The other one is of a bottle.
Elixir, 1938
In this photograph, Karsh was using optics and surrealism. This photo stood out to me because I couldn't believe that those were real people. The way they are in the bottle, I couldn't believe that it wasn't something else. I feel that even though it is harder to see the women, they are still conveying emotion. They are trapped in the bottle, and want to get out of it.
Helen Keller with Polly Thompson, 1948
This is a portrait of Helen Killer and her companion, Polly Thompson. I think that this is a beautiful photograph. They both look really happy and the smiles on their faces are wonderful. I think Karsh captured the good spirits of both of them.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, 1962
Karsh does a wonderful job capturing the stern look on Mies van der Rohe's face. Mies van der Rohe was an architect, so it is only natural that Karsh would photograph him with a tool in front of him. I really like the clear glass that he is holding in front of his face. I think it makes his face a bit clearer and easier to see.
Audrey Hepburn, 1956
I think this picture of Audrey Hepburn is absolutely beautiful. Karsh did an excellent job capturing this image. The contrast in the photo is wonderful, the darkness of her hair and sweater to the light background and her face. Hepburn looks calm but slightly tired.