Remember the 2013 iconic monochrome of Cate Blanchett? A timeless portrait with its sharp and perfect greyscale composition. No matter how many photos we confront, black & white shots set an infallible barometer in a world of colours. And, anyone with a love for monochrome portraits will be a hardcore Harcourt fan.
Harcourt: The histogram of photoing history
Roland Barthes once quoted that one is not an actor if one hasn’t been photographed by Harcourt. Since then, the bequest of being clicked by Studio Harcourt goes on.
Founded in 1934 by Cossette Harcourt, Harcourt is a Parisian photography studio. Robert Ricci and the Lacroix brothers are co-founders. Ten years away from becoming a centenarian, Harcourt still harbours a charisma saturated in tints of mystery and contours of reality.
Why Harcourt?
Firstly, the quality. Monica Bellucci, Karl Lagerfeld, Roger Federer; all of them enjoyed a paradisiacal charm with Harcourt’s touch of luminance on their skin. Harcourt even captures the slight shimmer on their coiffured hair and the dark background accentuates the jawlines.
Secondly, the skill. The Harcourt crew is a bunch of expert photographers playing magic with the light and the dark. However, with the colours coming in, Harcourt went bust. Later, it hit the headlines on its archive sale of 5 million negatives to the French government.
‘Honoring’ Harcourt: Making of the ‘e’pic Honor 200
Now again, Harcourt is in the news. The global tech provider Honor is partnering with Studio Harcourt for its AI Portrait Master. The Honor 200 series will feature the wonder. The feature will enable the Honor users to click studio-level portraits. The launch in the Philippines on July 17 will be live streamed on Facebook.
While the world waits for the blend of human skill and technology, here are the key features you should know:
• AI Light & Shadow Enhancement.
• AI Optical Effect Enhancement.
• AI Artistic Style Enhancement.
• 50 MP portrait main camera and selfie camera.
• Dual stabilization (OIS + EIS)
• 1/1.3-inch super dynamic H9000 sensor.
• Telephoto cam with customized Sony IMX 856
The Honor AI Portrait Master arrives with effects like Bokeh and prevention of false blurs. Besides these, the Harcourt colour and the classic mode in the series are for deep-dyed vintage lovers. The HONOR 200 Pro will be available in three colours: Ocean Cyan, Moonlight White, and Black. The HONOR 200 is available in Moonlight White, Emerald Green and Black.
HONOR 200 Series including HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 are soon to rule the UAE market. Let’s wait for the Harcourt black (& white) magic!
