Steve McCurry : Contemporary Photography
Sophie Barker

Steve McCurry is one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography. Travelling around third world countries with just a few clothes and a camera, he is able to capture some of the most extraordinary real life stills.

McCurry was born in Pennsylvania and later studied there at the State University, achieving a degree in film before going on to work with the local newspaper and beginning a career of freelance work.
After getting a taste for film and photography work, McCurry decided to extend his work to the wider world, setting off to travel round India in the 1990s, exploring the country with his camera. India was the first place McCurry travelled to as a young photographer and in an interview with photo awards, he said, ‘You cannot find another country with such a rich and varied geography and culture amid the chaos and confusion.’

Some of the conditions in which McCurry took his photos were very extreme, exaggerating the extent of how real the photos were so that the audience can get a deep insight into the lives of people living in these circumstances.
Here is a photo of McCurry proving how far he goes to capture the scenes of real life. Here he is in the middle of a flood with just a bag and a camera surrounded by hundreds of suffering citizens.
Alongside this article is a variety of my favourite photos from McCurry’s collection and the ones which struck me as the most memorable and raw.