Although it sparked some controversy, Steve McCurry’s “Afghan Girl” is an iconic image that has influenced and inspired many people. Tony Northup wanted to talk about how this image inspired him, but then he learned the story behind it – and it wasn’t pretty. The truth behind how this legendary photo was taken is sad and disturbing, and Tony shares it in this video.
Follow up to Eyes of the Afghan Girl – A critical take on the “Steve McCurry Scandal”
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While a follow up was already planned, after publishing the previous post and the subsequent, staggering response generated in support, appreciation, comments, critique and criticism I felt the need to also address certain things as well as perhaps reiterate and underline certain points. I also want to fill certain spaces left over in the previous post.
Let me begin again by reiterating that the previous opinion piece (and this follow up) is not an attack or attempt to defame Steve McCurry, it is only to throw light on certain aspects as well as bring some attention to the questions that plague visual journalism, especially in the past few years.
Eyes of the Afghan Girl – A critical take on the “Steve McCurry Scandal”
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I will begin by saying that my intention is not to attack Steve McCurry or defame him in any manner. It is only an attempt to clear certain facts that have come to light regarding his work and to also raise certain questions on aspects that may or may not have been missed, but certainly have not been expressed till now, atleast not publicly. McCurry is an inspiring figure to many, therefore in the light of recent events, a close examination of his photographs and his practice has already been done, I only want to take it a few steps further.
Your Opinion of Steve McCurry Doesn’t Matter
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On April 3, The New York Times Magazine photography critic Teju Cole penned a piece largely dismissing the work of renown photographer Steve McCurry. The piece caused a minor ruckus in photography circles with people (like myself) writing in his defense, while others castigated his imperialist eye and amplified whispers of staged scenes.
Just when the news cycle was waning, a badly Photoshopped print appeared at a McCurry gallery show, and yet another vigorous debate ensued replete with name calling, more allegations of staged photos, and a wholesale call to re-examine McCurry’s entire ouvre.
None of this matters.
5 renowned photographers sit down to talk about the importance of printing your legacy
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Admittedly, I don’t print out enough of my own photographs to either hang on my own wall or give away to family and friends. But this latest collection of videos from Epson might convince me otherwise.
Five of the world’s most talented photographers sat down with Epson to discuss their work and what it means to have their photos printed out on paper. Steve McCurry, Amy Toensing, Stephen Wilkes, Tim Tadder and Jeremy Cowart all get a chance to share their inspiration and insight into their respective worlds of photography.[Read More…]
Renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry sits down for an insightful interview with Nikon
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American photographer Steve McCurry, most known for his 1984 portrait entitled ‘Afghan Girl’ has captured some of the most iconic images of the 20th and 21st century. A longtime photographer for National Geographic, Magnum Photos and many others, his career spans the globe and his legacy has only just begun.
It’s not often we get to look into the mind of the man, but in a recent interview, Nikon Europe sat down with McCurry to pick his brain about his thought on gear, his work and what it takes to truly become a the photographer you want to be.[Read More…]
Photojournalist Steve McCurry Recalls ‘Chaos’ at the Stade de France During Paris Attacks
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Famed photojournalist Steve McCurry was one of 80,000 people inside the Stade de France watching a France-Germany friendly on Friday, November 13th, 2015. Twenty minutes into the match, three suicide bombers detonated explosive vests just outside of the national stadium as one part of a string of ‘highly coordinated’ terrorist attacks across Paris, France.
McCurry, most known for his 1984 National Geographic portrait ‘Afghan Girl,’ spoke to CBS News on Saturday, recounting the ‘mayhem and chaos’ that unfolded.[Read More…]
Steve McCurry’s Assistant Arrested in $654,358 ‘Afghan Girl’ Art Theft Case
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The famous photographer, best known for his ‘Afghan Girl’ photograph which graced the cover of National Geographic, will soon be looking for a new manager of fine art print sales after his current one was charged with theft and related offenses.
According to Chester (PA) County District Attorney Tom Hogan, Bree DeStephano stole prints, books and other items valued at $654,358 from Steve McCurry’s studio and sold them for her own profit.
Candid Interviews With 24 Master Photographers Including Steve McCurry & David Allan Harvey
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The nice team over at Vogue Italia curated a YouTube playlist of interviews with 24 of their favorite past photographers. The interviews range in length from anywhere between 1:30 miuntes to over 35 minutes long. Most, however, have about a ten minute run time. Not all, but most of the videos are in English.
I haven’t watched all the videos yet, but the ones that I have spent time with were really good. There’s a lot of technical and inspirational soundbites in the videos, which is always a treat. Here’s a quick selection of videos for your convenience. If you have a little time to burn, you can scroll down to the end of this page and indulge in the entire playlist.[Read More…]
Legendary Photographers Pose With Their Most Iconic Photographs
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“Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible,” the book starts. The potent quote by the late Edwin Land seems quite apropos given the nature of the pages that follow it. The project Tim Mantoani documents in his book, Behind Photography, has been nearly a decade in the making. Beginning back in 2006, when Mantoani got his first taste of a Polaroid 20 x 24 Land camera, he had just gone through a painful battle with a rare form of bone cancer and soon after found himself mourning the premature loss of his close friend and mentor, Dean Collins. Though Mantoani was devastated by the loss, he was profoundly moved at the lack of control one has over his own fate.[Read More…]
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