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Portraits
Steve McCurry never set out to take portraits. In 1985, he photographed an Afghan girl for the National Geographic . The intensity of the subject's eyes and her compelling gaze made this one of the most widely and consistently celebrated portraits in the history of contemporary photography. This accompanies the other remarkable faces he has encountered whilst travelling throughout the world, collected together in an engaging and strangely moving series of unique street unposed, unstylized images of people that reveal the true universality of the depths of human emotion. Critically acclaimed and recognized internationally for his classic reportage, over the last twenty years he has worked on numerous assignments, travelling extensively throughout the Middle and Far East. McCurry has won first prize in the World Press Awards, and was named Magazine Photographer of the Year in 1984. He is most famous for his evocative color photography, which has captured stories of human experience that, in the finest documentary tradition, transcend boundaries of language and culture.
472 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 1999
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1141 people want to read
About the author
Steve McCurry
71 books111 followersSteve McCurry is an American photographer, freelancer, and photojournalist. His photo Afghan Girl, of a girl with piercing green eyes, has appeared on the cover of National Geographic several times. McCurry has photographed many assignments for National Geographic and has been a member of Magnum Photos since 1986.
McCurry is the recipient of numerous awards, including Magazine Photographer of the Year, awarded by the National Press Photographers Association; the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal; and two first-place prizes in the World Press Photo contest (1985 and 1992).
McCurry is the recipient of numerous awards, including Magazine Photographer of the Year, awarded by the National Press Photographers Association; the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal; and two first-place prizes in the World Press Photo contest (1985 and 1992).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 21, 2023
Haunting is the only word I can think of to describe the images in this book - made me think about the wonderful connection we all share as we spend our few days here on this gift of a world. A good photograph reaches out and 'grabs' you; it forces you to see the world by spinning you around. This book is filled with photos that do just that.
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December 31, 2019
He'd been in Brussels back in March, through June.
Well, now he's in Oporto. I can hardly wait to take a look. I just had the chance for this snapshot.
Alfândega, where once men traded goods, now looks are traded.
Well, I've been there, in Alfândega, on the 11th of November; absolutely great. Most of the iconic, color photographs by McCurry were there, in big format; also, some photographs from his work in the 1970's in black and white. I just took some snapshots.
On the back side of the building I could enjoy the views, over the Douro river:
Plus, on that day, psychologist Steven Pinker had been in town*. Had I known it earlier....
*https://www.pressreader.com/portugal/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2014
McCurry's work is phenomenal, and some of his portraits rank among my favourite photographs. No surprise, then, to find this chock-full of arresting images.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, there are volumes contained here -- although I am somewhat torn. The absolute minimum text accompanies these photos -- city, country, year. You can get an incredible amount from the pictures (many of which look as though they could have been taken on movie sets), but I was also left with a lot of questions. The photos taken in the U.S. skew towards counterculture, for example: for how many of the other photos, in cultures I know little or nothing about, could the same be said? (Does it matter?) I guess I just tend to figure that even when photos can stand on their own -- and certainly these can -- in a collection, in a book, there's room to elaborate. (Wanting more text is a common theme of my reviews of photography books...)
All that said -- highly recommend. I wish I could fall into some of these people's worlds for a time.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, there are volumes contained here -- although I am somewhat torn. The absolute minimum text accompanies these photos -- city, country, year. You can get an incredible amount from the pictures (many of which look as though they could have been taken on movie sets), but I was also left with a lot of questions. The photos taken in the U.S. skew towards counterculture, for example: for how many of the other photos, in cultures I know little or nothing about, could the same be said? (Does it matter?) I guess I just tend to figure that even when photos can stand on their own -- and certainly these can -- in a collection, in a book, there's room to elaborate. (Wanting more text is a common theme of my reviews of photography books...)
All that said -- highly recommend. I wish I could fall into some of these people's worlds for a time.
October 8, 2013
While the pages were smaller than I anticipated (in the 5"x7" range), the volume of arresting photographs far exceeded what I had expected. The photographs themselves are fascinating, the order in which they are presented is compelling, and the simplicity of the text (place, year, that's it) is perfect.
November 6, 2017
Beautiful book. Very eye opening. Totally recommend it specially if you’re looking for diverse portraits for drawing/practice references.
September 12, 2016
I can't get enough of these photos and I own the album for seven years now. All the faces tell stories, the eyes of these people speak volumes. I have my favourite ones but it's one of an Afghani boy that breaks my heart every single time I see his picture. I'm a huge fan of Steve McCurry, he is not only a photographer of people but also of souls and I don't care how pompous it sounds - that's the truth.
January 2, 2008
McCurry is my favorite photographer, and this is probably my favorite of his collections. The vibrancy of his portraits (no photoshopping!) do not pull me into an exotic and foreign world: they thrust it at me! He so humanizes images that should be bizarre to my western mindset that I feel I highly identify with these strangers. I could go on forever. They are so beautiful.
June 12, 2008
This is a book of portraits of many, many, MANY different 'kinds' of people, from all over the world.
Some of them really touched my heart. The artist really captures the essence of each person.
Some of them really touched my heart. The artist really captures the essence of each person.
August 10, 2009
Steve McCurry is one of my photography idols. I love this book and it holds a very special place on my shelf.
December 25, 2012
people in asia and Africa have some of the most interesting faces on this planet!
January 15, 2025
I felt very strongly that all the photo subjects are my cousins, and we are all connected. People are so beautiful.
July 28, 2015
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Photo book/non fiction/Art
Estimate of grade level of interest: Kindergarten-adult
Estimate of reading level: N/A
Brief description: This is a beautiful book that is filled with some of photographer, Steve McCurry's best portraits. Best known for the photo on the front cover, Steve has worked for National Geographic, as well as created his own books. This book features pictures of a diverse popluation of people all over the world. I must say that this book was probably not intended for children, however I use this book every year to introduce diversity and how it is okay that everyone is different. Kids LOVE pouring over the photographs, trying to find their favorite.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: Non fiction books should show diversity. This book clearly qualifies in that aspect. From people of the Middle East, to guys in L.A., this book represents a wide range of faces and places. The other characteristic is purpose. Steve McCurry has stated in interviews that his purpose for his books is to represent those around the world in their natural state. He acheives this here, by capturing people in candid, unexpected portraits.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? In the manner in which I use this book, I feel it is a perfect book to use in a whole group of children to study diversity. There are children and adults represented in the book and kids can relate to the photos even if the pictures are from across the globe.
Awards if any: No specific awards for the book, but rather for certain photos in the book.
Estimate of grade level of interest: Kindergarten-adult
Estimate of reading level: N/A
Brief description: This is a beautiful book that is filled with some of photographer, Steve McCurry's best portraits. Best known for the photo on the front cover, Steve has worked for National Geographic, as well as created his own books. This book features pictures of a diverse popluation of people all over the world. I must say that this book was probably not intended for children, however I use this book every year to introduce diversity and how it is okay that everyone is different. Kids LOVE pouring over the photographs, trying to find their favorite.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: Non fiction books should show diversity. This book clearly qualifies in that aspect. From people of the Middle East, to guys in L.A., this book represents a wide range of faces and places. The other characteristic is purpose. Steve McCurry has stated in interviews that his purpose for his books is to represent those around the world in their natural state. He acheives this here, by capturing people in candid, unexpected portraits.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? In the manner in which I use this book, I feel it is a perfect book to use in a whole group of children to study diversity. There are children and adults represented in the book and kids can relate to the photos even if the pictures are from across the globe.
Awards if any: No specific awards for the book, but rather for certain photos in the book.
December 10, 2018
A captivating book of vivid photographs that we use to discuss the amazing spectrum of people, culture, and dress around the world. This is an open-your-eyes-without-leaving-your-home kind of book that provides a gentle way to introduce children to the idea that not all people are just like me and my family.
This is not a book to be read and discarded, but one to return to often. Helpful in both a discussion of art (example: "talk to me about why this is a good photograph?", or have children draw a person of their choosing) and theology (specifically, God's love for and pursuit of all people), this book can also be used to stimulate prayer for countries and people groups.
The only thing that would have made this book perfect, is an index of countries at the end, so that if we are discussing a specific country, we can quickly access images of people living in that location.
This is not a book to be read and discarded, but one to return to often. Helpful in both a discussion of art (example: "talk to me about why this is a good photograph?", or have children draw a person of their choosing) and theology (specifically, God's love for and pursuit of all people), this book can also be used to stimulate prayer for countries and people groups.
The only thing that would have made this book perfect, is an index of countries at the end, so that if we are discussing a specific country, we can quickly access images of people living in that location.
July 31, 2016
Incredible portraits that draw you right in. They are so eloquent that no descriptions are needed. Also, this is the book that made me want to explore travel portraits, which in turn meant I had to go way out of my comfort zone and talk to people and get their permission to make a photo, because for an engaging portrait you need eye contact.
Some of what I consider my more decent tries are here.
Some of what I consider my more decent tries are here.
December 23, 2008
Close n personal...
Kumpulan foto yang diambil dari berbagai macam ras di berbagai belahan dunia dengan berbagai aktifitasnya tetapi lebih fokus kepada manusianya dengan atribut yang dipakainya.
Ada yang melankolis, ada yang membuat senyum-senyum, ada yang bikin prihatin, ada yang bikin kita berpikir betapa beruntungnya kita dengan segala hal yang telah menimpa diri kita...
Kumpulan foto yang diambil dari berbagai macam ras di berbagai belahan dunia dengan berbagai aktifitasnya tetapi lebih fokus kepada manusianya dengan atribut yang dipakainya.
Ada yang melankolis, ada yang membuat senyum-senyum, ada yang bikin prihatin, ada yang bikin kita berpikir betapa beruntungnya kita dengan segala hal yang telah menimpa diri kita...
February 25, 2016
Wonderful book filled with Steve McCurry's breath-taking portraits which he captured around the world. In all of the photos he was able to capture that person's soul, he did a fantastic job by choosing so many expressive eyes and faces in general.. those expressions could tell a story. Wonderful, simply simply wonderful.
May 21, 2012
I was lent this book by my art tutor, to base realistic portratis off of. All I can say is, wow. The faces, the personalities, and the coloration in all these pictures are simply fantastic. Beautiful.
August 17, 2014
Very beautiful, captivating, raw, invasive, distant, real and unreal at the same time. The author seems to have a major thing for the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia as evident in the majority of his photos.
June 9, 2016
It's a collection of one of the best photographers in the world!
The issue is that of you had his equipment and money and plane tickets you too may get some of these shots! Talented man and great book but at some point you have to believe that these are rehearsed shots!
The issue is that of you had his equipment and money and plane tickets you too may get some of these shots! Talented man and great book but at some point you have to believe that these are rehearsed shots!
November 8, 2008
Steve McCurry's portraits are unique.
They reveal the universality of human emotions...
They reveal the universality of human emotions...
April 25, 2008
The best collection of photographic portraits I've seen. The book is minimalist, which lets the photos do the talking, and comes across very well.
October 14, 2011
A fascinating collection of portraits that you will never get bored of, even if you've seen them many times before!
May 23, 2014
My favorite photographer.
http://stevemccurry.com/
http://stevemccurry.com/
September 10, 2015
A 400+ incredible, touching, and inspirational portraits from allover the world that reveal the beauty of human emotions by one of my favourite photographers: Steve McCurry.
November 9, 2016
يمكنك أن تتحدث عن الإنسانية، أو تكتبها أو حتى أن تشعر بها و تمارسها بفطرتك. لكن ستيڤ كان إنسانيًا و مرهفًا بعدسـة تصويره. الصور ملهمة جدًا، تعلق في طين ذاكرتك.
January 5, 2017
without written words to describe each portrait, you get a personal sense of what the person being photographed is feeling/thinking at the exact moment the portrait was shot
April 19, 2023
Oh my god this young afghan fighter…
August 24, 2024
mccurry's portraits are absolutely breathtaking and chock full of detail and emotion. you can get lost in every single photo without fail. how are there this many incredible photos???
Read
February 2, 2016This book contains picture after picture of the human face, building to a cumulative effect. Yeah, sure… portraits of faces from around the world are the type of pop multi-culti that is done and re-done (cf. “The Family of Man”) but in the hands of an expert, certain concepts bear repeating.
I’m not a very visual person, so perhaps direct narrative images work for my eye where they seem mawkish to others (I find the Pre-Raphaelites beautiful, so that tells you something about my tastes.) I can’t help it… simple stories can still be good stories, and I love this book and page through it repeatedly with increasing pleasure.
I remember carefully cutting out McCurry’s National Geographic cover of an Afghan girl (which is the cover photo for this book) and pasting it into my journal when I was a pre-teen. At the time, I think it symbolized for me the way that all faces – even potentially my own little goofy face – could tell a story and have value. Later, he followed-up with an article on the now thirty-something Afghan woman that the girl became, and the beauty of her weathered face taught me a different sort of dignity than it did at thirteen. This is where McCurry excels: in principal, I would want a photojournalist to turn a cold impartial eye on the world, and yet McCurry is decidedly impartial, and his lens gazes at each face tenderly, in a ethereal mortal light -- like a death mask taken on one’s wedding day.
Perhaps I’m simple-eyed… but sometimes, the simple can be more complex than the complex?
I’m not a very visual person, so perhaps direct narrative images work for my eye where they seem mawkish to others (I find the Pre-Raphaelites beautiful, so that tells you something about my tastes.) I can’t help it… simple stories can still be good stories, and I love this book and page through it repeatedly with increasing pleasure.
I remember carefully cutting out McCurry’s National Geographic cover of an Afghan girl (which is the cover photo for this book) and pasting it into my journal when I was a pre-teen. At the time, I think it symbolized for me the way that all faces – even potentially my own little goofy face – could tell a story and have value. Later, he followed-up with an article on the now thirty-something Afghan woman that the girl became, and the beauty of her weathered face taught me a different sort of dignity than it did at thirteen. This is where McCurry excels: in principal, I would want a photojournalist to turn a cold impartial eye on the world, and yet McCurry is decidedly impartial, and his lens gazes at each face tenderly, in a ethereal mortal light -- like a death mask taken on one’s wedding day.
Perhaps I’m simple-eyed… but sometimes, the simple can be more complex than the complex?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews