Sunday, May 31, 2015

A Fitting Legacy For The Photographer

I got over to the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River during the festival (and completely forgot about the tulip beds in Jacques Cartier Park, which can be seen in my header image). Here on the grounds of the Museum of History (I'll still think of it as the Museum of Civilization, despite the rebranding by the Dark Lord in the Prime Minister's Office), overlooking the river, the Chateau Laurier, and Parliament Hill is the bed of tulips dedicated to Malak Karsh.


Malak is the esteemed landscape photographer, while his brother Yousuf was the esteemed portrait photographer. He was one of the instrumental voices in creating the Tulip Festival, a great legacy for a great man and artist. He photographed from here often, as some of you might recall my mentioning before. It's a great place to photograph from, with views of the National Gallery, Nepean Point, and Alexandria Bridge also in store.


The darker tulips here were slightly past their best point when I visited, but the white blooms looked pretty, and the view is worth it. The plaque before these tulips pays homage to Malak. 




48 comments:

  1. There is no doubt that Ottawa has a magnificent plantations of tulips.

    Tomás.

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  2. Someday there will be a plaque to you, the esteemed DAILY photographer of Ottawa!

    Janis
    GDP

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  3. Yep, about all we have left here are the remnants of tulips.

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  4. Well done Malak, and a sweeping panorama by you. Thank you for your regular comments on my blog. I am having a break for a while as I am travelling. Best wishes.

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  5. Very impressive. I must say that your city looks an amazing place.

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  6. Definitely a prime spot to take the money shot William.

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  7. One of the many pretty places for photographers in Ontario . Thanks for sharing lovely photos . Have a good day !

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  8. That is a beautiful view and garden.

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  9. Que paisagem belíssima! Um encanto de contemplar
    Um ótimo domingo
    Um abraço

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  10. Canada can be dismal-looking in winter, but boy, does she ever make up for it when the tulips come!

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  11. Wonderful serie, I specially love the first and the last photo, they have a great depth in the landscape.

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  12. With this many tulips in Ottawa, I'll bet there are still beds you've never heard of. This was a great series of posts. The Karsh brothers were masters in photography.

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  13. Fantastic! The top shot is my favourite. Love it!

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  14. I've seen an exhibit of Karsh's photos in Toronto and this is a well deserved honour.

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  15. That top shot is just stunning!

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  16. @Tomas: definitely.

    @Janis: I wish!

    @Revrunner: I was passing the tulip beds by Dow's Lake yesterday- most of them are gone now.

    @Marleen: thank you!

    @Peter: enjoy the travel!

    @Mike: I like living here.

    @Grace: that it is.

    @Country Gal: thank you!

    @Orvokki: I certainly think so.

    @Hilary: it is!

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  17. @Deb: I should photograph from here at other times in the year.

    @Gracita: thank you!

    @Norma: the tulips bring things to life!

    @Jan: that bridge is my favourite in this area.

    @Tex: thank you!

    @Red: there are some, as I recall, at Rideau Hall. I've never photographed up there.

    @Jose: thank you!

    @Jackie: I imagine that would be Yousef's work, though Malak's work wouldn't surprise me if it's been exhibited as well.

    @RedPat: thank you!

    @Sharon: I may have to keep it in mind for a spring header image next year.

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  18. That's a stunning way to start. Strong image.

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  19. Thank you for this beautiful and informative post. I knew of Yousef and his portrait work, but did not know of Malak. Very interesting.

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  20. 'Dark Lord', indeed.
    I dated someone, between husbands, who worked for Malak in the distant past!

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  21. It's a beautiful park with wonderful views! The Karsh brothers were amazing at what they did and are a big part of our culture and history.

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  22. Ottawa is very rich in views. This view is delightful.

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  23. We are not used to darker tulips, and I find them really beautiful!

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  24. Oh I love that first shot, it is indeed a lovely view!

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  25. @Birdman: thanks!

    @Lowell: they were great, great photographers, both of them.

    @Jennifer: small world. A former landlady worked for Yousef in his studios for awhile.

    @Pamela: they loom large in our country's history.

    @Mariusz: thank you!

    @VP: they stand out so well.

    @Ciel: I'll have to photograph from here at other times of the year.

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  26. You're right, these are a fitting tribute to the photographer.

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  27. A beautiful tribute. The first shot is my favourite :)

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  28. What a great story William, the tulips are a fitting tribute to two great photographers..

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  29. can't say I have heard of either gentleman before? As always I have learned something new from you.

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  30. Lovely photos. I always smile when you refer to the "Dark Lord.") The Malaks were amazing photographers!

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  31. gorgeous area. i really enjoy the 1st shot bestest!! ( :

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  32. I really like that first shot.

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  33. Love that first shot.
    Great info. thanks.
    MB

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  34. Always a pleasure to visit the famous tulips beds and vistas with you!

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  35. The combination of engineering and nature works well here. I've heard of Yousuf but not his brother.

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  36. Thank you, Malak! This makes me want to explore his work. I finally (!) managed to find a book of Yousuf's portraits on my recent trip and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

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  37. @Stuart: they are. This bed has taken a serious beating because of high waters the last few springs. It's possible it won't be restored.

    @Debs: thank you!

    @Geoff: I agree.

    @Gill: you'd be familiar with some of Yousuf's photos, anyway.

    @EG: I don't miss the Dark Lord one bit.

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  38. @Janey: definitely.

    @Mari: thanks!

    @Whisk: indeed.

    @Beth: thank you!

    @Randy: so do I.

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  39. @MB: you're welcome.

    @Tammie: indeed.

    @Merisi: a pleasure to show it.

    @Linda: both were exceptional.

    @Kay: both of them published a fair amount of their work in books.

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