Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry

        Steve McCurry is an American Photographer who is most well known for his profile pictures of individuals, as well as photographing conflicts and the landscapes conflicts impact. While researching McCurry, one thing I found interesting was his commitment to truly exploring and letting his camera sort of guide his next photograph. In doing this, McCurry was able to travel into countries and across boarders into areas torn to pieces during conflicts. 

Steve McCurry, Balcuhistan, Pakistan, 1981

        My first chosen photograph by McCurry was taken in Balcuhistan, Pakistan, and is shown above. In this photograph, I am first directed to the mans face guided by the focus of the camera, and from there I immediately look to the "missing eye," or the left side of his glasses with the turban underneath. I found this extremely interesting, because his right eye is still clear, only a lot darker than the turban itself. From this I take away a sense of mystery, or internal suffering. Often I hear people call eyes' "windows to the soul," and in this sense that window is obstructed, leaving only one dark window on the right. This image gives me a misunderstood feel, as if the man has an untold story of suffering that is often overlooked. His weathered face, strewn with wrinkles and sun spots, a gray beard, and a serious expression provides a wisdom feel. Paired together with the desolate background, I take away that McCurry was once again portraying the impact this conflict has on individual people, destroying culture and restricting outsiders from really seeing in, just as this man's turban protects his left eye. In addition, despite not being exactly framing, I believe this photo describes aspects of framing as glasses usually frame the face, and most importantly the eyes. 

        Finding some more information on this piece after my initial evaluation, I listened to McCurry describe how he came to take this photo. This man was photographed after a cataract surgery, seen protecting his eye from the sandy environment. Shorty after this picture was taken, McCurry was arrested for 5 days in Afghanistan. Having some of this context I see a different story. I see a fairly wealthy man, capable of purchasing a cataract surgery, protecting both what is old but what is new. When I think of conflict I think of destruction not only of what once was, but the opportunity and life to come. As this man protects his new eye and new chance at sight, I can only imagine these individuals are not only trying to protect what they currently have in the wake of conflict, but the lives of the family, traditions, and cultures to come. 

Steve McCurry, 'Fishermen, Weligama,' 1995

    

        The second photograph that immediately caught my eye was of these fishermen in Weligama, Sri Lanka. I am a guy that enjoys to fish, but I unfortunately I've never got the chance to fish like these individuals. Seeing this image immediately put a physical astonished look on my face. When I think of the word fishermen, I initially think of either these large fishing boats drudging nets, or people enjoying the weather on a pier. McCurry uses this photo to, I believe, shed light on culture and traditions of other countries. Looking at the details of this image, some focus is put on men themselves, but I am always drawn back to the ocean. Far from calm, the ocean is portrayed as almost daunting and rough. Ocean and water symbolizing purity, or change, I take away the pureness of this tradition, untouched by modern day technology but still holding onto culture. Emerging from the ocean and providing a seat for the men, these large wooden poles provide stability through the rough water. Enduring waves and changing tides I believe McCurry's photograph describes an enduring ability of these small traditions throughout conflict, which at the time would've been their Civil War. In addition, I also think of balance, seeing these men atop a pylon, maybe portraying a need for balance between nature and humans.