“The photograph is an undeniably powerful medium. Free from the constraints of language, and harnessing the unique qualities of a single moment frozen in time.” – Steve McCurry
There are but a few photographers whose names resonate beyond the medium into the wider public consciousness. Steve McCurry (Judge of our 2024 People Photography Award) is one of them. Arguably the most iconic photographer working today, his incredible oeuvre encompasses some of the most powerful and recognized images of our time, showcasing the incredible diversity and beauty of our world.
Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University and began his career as a staff photographer at Today’s Post. After two years, he left, camera in hand, to make his first of many journeys to India. Like many young, open-minded Westerners, McCurry was drawn to this seemingly exotic and mysterious land, known to him only through books, photographs, and films—a world so different from the one he knew.
That trip proved transformative, sparking not only a lifelong romance with the country, which inspired many of his most memorable images, but an epiphany that would define his approach to photography: “If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view.”
Yet, it was McCurry’s coverage of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 that truly launched his career. After leaving India, he traveled to Pakistan, where he met a group of Afghan refugees who had fled the conflict. As Soviet forces were closing the country to Western journalists, McCurry’s new friends helped him cross the border, disguised in local clothing.
Embedded with the Mujahideen, he captured a series of remarkable images, which he managed to smuggle out sewn into his clothing when he crossed back into Pakistan several months later.
These images—some of the first depictions of the conflict seen outside Afghanistan—earned him the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal for Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad, and brought international acclaim, leading to numerous assignments covering conflict and upheaval in Lebanon, Cambodia, the Philippines, Yugoslavia, and Tibet, among other places.
Like the greats who shaped photojournalism during the mid-twentieth century and from whom he drew influence, McCurry’s work is rooted in humanism. His compositions are undeniably beautiful, characterized by his mastery of Kodachrome’s vibrant palette (later adapting to digital while retaining his extraordinary control of tone), producing painting-like images that could stand as pieces of art, but are so much more.
One key factor that sets true photojournalism icons apart is their ability to convey stories in a single frame, and few possess this gift like McCurry. While his images often fit into larger narratives, he insists that “each picture must stand on its own, with its own place and feeling.”
No image demonstrates this more effectively than his most famous: a portrait of 12-year-old Afghan refugee Sharbat Gula, taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984. Published on the June 1985 cover of National Geographic, this powerful portrait drew worldwide attention to the plight of the Afghan people, putting a human face on the conflict while bringing McCurry’s talent to a global audience.
The image remains one of, if not the, most famous photograph in the world. Yet it is but one of countless captivating examples from his work with National Geographic (with whom he has had a long and fruitful relationship) and other leading publications. Images which transport readers to all corners of the globe, offering rare glimpses into otherwise inaccessible worlds and giving a human face to stories of conflict, upheaval, social injustice, vanishing cultures, and traditions—thus inspiring them to take action.
McCurry joined Magnum Photos in 1986, and over the years has received numerous accolades, including an unprecedented four first-place awards from the World Press Photo contest. In 2013, France’s Minister of Culture appointed him a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, and in 2014, the Royal Photographic Society awarded him the Centenary Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
He has published more than 20 photobooks and exhibited worldwide, including the major retrospective ICONS, which traveled to six cities across five countries.
Yet his true impact on the medium cannot be measured by any number of awards and accolades. He has helped shape the very landscape of photography today, inspiring countless renowned photographers and continuing to motivate new generations to go out and share the stories of others—a legacy that feels more crucial than ever today.
– McCurry’s work is currently on display in solo exhibitions worldwide. More information here.
All images © Steve McCurry
NB: Steve McCurry is the judge of our 2024 People Photography Award, open for entries until December 31st. To participate, click here 👈