Task:

1. Write a 300-500 words reflection on the "Brief History Survey" by Jeff Curto
2. http://photohistory.jeffcurto.com/archives/281 (1.55.45m)
3. Chosen photographer - Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry – “Can Photograph impact social change?”

“Best known for his evocative color photography, Stever McCurry, in the finest documentary tradition, captures the essence of human struggle and joy.”

McCurry has photographed for, among other, Newsweek, National Geographic, Times magazine, Life Magazine and even won the Magazine Photographer of the Year honors National Press Photographers’ Association. In short, he is one of the world’s most respected photojournalist. Basically, he says, “I have an enormous curiosity about different cultures, in the ways of living. I look for the unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out. The experience etched on the person’s face. I try to convey what is it like to be that person.”

Although his photographs have deep saturated colors and rich images, McCurry doesn’t like to work with bright lights, he prefer overcast situations. These saturated colors often carry a somber overtone and depicts sadness rather than cheeriness. He likes to work in ‘shadows’ rather that the ‘golden hour’ light, most photographers prefer. As such, many of his photographs are taken in alley ways, dimly lit rooms, and shadowy streets, often in periods of strikes, war and transition in countries like Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, Lebanon, and Cambodia. A lot of his photographs are about the pivotal moments in people’s life, moments of high stress. This is what makes him admirable, with his images highly tied to social change and given a moralistic point of view. From his outstanding photographs, we see how McCurry has given a responsibility to the truth from his vision


























Steve McCurry's "Afghan Girl" original photo.



McCurry's most recognized photo is that of "Afghan Girl", a previously unidentified Afghan refugee. The image itself was named as "the most recognized photograph" in the history of the National Geographic magazine and her face became famous as the cover photograph on the June 1985 issue. The girl, oblivious to her fame, was later identified as Sharbat Gula, in 2002. McCurry later went back to photography her in the same pose years later.

What inspired me the most is McCurry’s commitment and passion as a photographer. In 1979, when photojournalism is still in its infancy stages, McCurry traveled to Afghanistan to cover the resistance of the Afghan Mujahadeen against its Marxist puppet government. To immerse himself in the culture, McCurry ate, slept, fought and even traveled miles across the desert with the Afghan Mujahadeen forces. From there, he documented a story which later played a pivotal role in the downfall of the Afghanistan government ten years later. In another example, although only scheduled to stay for 2 weeks during his first assignment in India, he fell in love with the country’s rich culture and stayed on for 2 years. He was transfixed with its way of life and McCurry when on to document a series of stories across the country.

He may have had his fair share of awards and contributions in the field of photojournalism, however, more importantly, he showed how one man’s passion can lead to a change in history.

-Melvin