Photographer Research 1

Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than thirty years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world to his name. Born in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McCurry studied film at Pennsylvania State University, before going on to work for a local newspaper. After several years of freelance work, McCurry made his first of what would become many trips to India. Travelling with little more than a bag of clothes and another of film, he made his way across the subcontinent, exploring the country with his camera.

This image was taken in Bamiyan, Afghanistan and illustrates what is presumed to be a Sikh man based on quietly reading what can be presumed as the Guru Granth Sahib. He is shown to be alone, but seems content that way with his legs stretched out in front of him. This image would also suggest that this man is comfortable and safe here as he doesn't appear to be wearing any shoes, however footwear is removed before entering a gurdwara worship hall. Also, due to his posture and how he is hunched over while intensely studying the book would infer that he takes his religion and culture very seriously and it is most likely an essential element within his lifestyle.

 Framing devices are used here as the man is framed through an open window, while placed sitting next to another window that is closed, creating repetition within the image as it creates the illusion that there is a square inside of a larger square being the open window at the forefront. Additionally, although the top half of the image appears to be cut off as the whole window is not in view, there is symmetrical elements in this image which makes it pleasing to the eye. For example the window is shot central, with almost an equal amount of negative space on both the left and right. Also, the blue paint below the window spreads from the left to the right and besides a slight tilt is almost completely straight and central from the left to the right. This image also uses contrasting, saturated primary colours like red and blue on the immediate wall, but also includes light teal on the back wall and a darker teal on the window frames and the square pole. 

This image uses the structure of the stairs as a framing device to surround the man and shelter him as each step spirals around the pole and curves around his body. The rule of thirds is also used in this image as the man is positioned in the third right of the image. There is use of negative space in the image which is softly occupied with the evening / morning sky. The colour of the sky smoothly transitions from a calm blue, getting lighter until reaching light pink with some white clouds to a pinky orange finally developing into dark purple at the bottom of the image. 

There are spiritual connotations in this image, as if the man is walking up to heaven, or perhaps trying to become closer with God. The fact that he is walking up a staircase suggests that he is on a spiritual or religious journey. Furthermore, the stairs above his head infer that he feels he is being protected by a god or larger being. He appears relaxed with one hand in his pocket and in no rush to reach the top, like it is more about the journey rather than the destination. 

Steve McCurry has used a negative space and the decisive moment to frame his subject through a broken vehicle to frame the subject in this image. He has included depth of field, the top right of the image is the window frame and is not in focus, however the rest of the image is illustrated clearly. There are a variation of colours included in this image to vibrant yellows, greens and oranges in the leaves, to darker blues and browns on the old car, but also duller creams and lighter browns on the fence in the background. The man however sticks out the most, dressed in a combination of bright yellow and violet, making him the centre of attention in the shot despite all of the noise in the image. 

This was shot in Myanmar (Burma). The Myanmar people are said to be amongst the friendliest in Asia. They are genuine and relaxed, respectful and humble. Yet, beneath all of this lies a deep sense of pride, nationalism and almost blind love for their leader, Noble Peace Prize-winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

This image illustrates a number of people including both adults and children, travelling on a train to work and school in Rangoon, Burma. The people seem to be all bunched up together as there is not a lot of space, but all seem well dressed in shirts and smart attire. The child in the middle covering his face appears to be comfortable despite the lack of space, suggesting that this is part of his daily routine and he is used to the journey to and from school. This would also suggest that Burmese people are determined and hard working individuals who don't let excuses get in the way of their true efforts to work and provide for their families.The train has soap advertisements on the side which is ironic as the actual train appears old, dirty and rusty. Additionally, the passengers on the train are most likely hot and sweaty due to the lack of personal space, considering they are in an extremely hot part of the world.

The composition of this image includes the rule of thirds highlighting key aspects of the image such as the boy in the centre of the shot. This also ensures that the image is symmetrical which makes it more pleasing to the eye. Steve McCurry has used natural structure in this shot with empty windows on a train to frame his subjects and positioned one window completely central in his image, consequently only half of the window on the right side is shown in the image however this doesn't seem to ruin the final shot as it doesn't affect the symmetry.