Week 3

Steve McCurry

American Photographer

Born on 24th February, 1950

Background :

Steve McCurry has worked in photojournalism and editorial. He is best know for this 1984 photograph "Afghan Girl" which originally appeared in National Geographic magazine. 

McCurry is the recipient of numerous awards, including Magazine Photographer of the Year, awarded by the National Press Photographers  Society's Centenary Medal and two first place prizes in the World Press Photo (1985 and 1922)

He originally planned to study cinematography and filmmaking, but instead gained a degree in theater arts and graduating in 1974. He became interested in photography when he started taking pictures for the Penn State newspaper "The Daily Collegian"

McCurry focused on the human consequences of war, intending to not only show what war impresses on the landscape, but rather on the human face. "Most of my images are grounded in people. I look for the under guarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched on a person's face. I try to convey what it is like to be that person, a person caught in a broader landscape, that you could  call the human condition. 

His Photos :

Kabul, Afghanistan 

This photo tells about Afghanistan's woman when selling bread. This photo title is our daily bread.  

Bamiyan, Afghanistan 

This photo's title is just write. I like the expression of this boy, the brightness side and and the focusing point. 

Hajjah, Yemen

I like the expression of this boy like worry about something. 

Al Hudaydah, Yemen

I like the background and the story of this photo. I think this old man trying to teach his daughter using book or they are reading a story book. The background from this photo makes this photo more interesting. Because it has many colors and unique color.

Kabul, Afghanistan

What I like from this photo are the color and the staring face from the children. The yellow and denim colors are contrast color that can be good to have it together. It can makes the things more clear.

Alto Churumazu, Yanesha, Peru

When I see this picture, I fell so pity of this little boy. I like how Steve McCurry shot this photo using emotion and feeling to bring out the message of this photo, I also like the details of this photo.  

Iloilo, Philiphines

What Steve McCurry tried to bring out is the culture of Iloilo, Philiphines. I think this photo was taken when there was traditional ceremony in that country. 

Reflection : 

Overall, what I like from Steve McCurry is how he can shot the right moment, it's more like right moment that have right expression. Because some photographers usually just think about the aesthetic but not the story of the photo. Expression can describe the story behind the photo.