World-class photographer's immersive Tibetan portraits
"The best way to photograph a portrait is
to really look into their eyes.
The eyes are expressive.
They speak."
— Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry Portrait Photography
Text source: Steve McCurry on
His "Meditative" Photography
By Andrew M. Goldstein
Steve McCurry Official Website
Image source: Steve McCurry
Monks playing bumper cars in front of the Potala Palace, 2000
Photography is meditation
McCurry was born in 1950
in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He studied film at Pennsylvania State University
and became a photojournalist for a local newspaper after graduation.
In 1978, McCurry made his first trip to Asia,
officially beginning his global journey.
Nomadic women in a yak-hair tent, Tibet, 1999
"Photography is about wandering and observing.
At 19, I became interested in photography.
It has a contemplative or meditative quality
that brings me inner peace."
A Tibetan family gathers around the stove, heating their butter tea over the fire while the mother stirs yak butter.
Shigatse, 19
"I love wandering and taking photos
without any time constraints
or pressure of any kind.
The world is like a blank canvas—
everything feels fresh."
Garzê, 2000
Passion for Asia
"Life is short.
The most interesting and valuable thing
is to truly see our planet."
McCurry left behind nearly three decades of photographic records
in Afghanistan, Myanmar, China,
Thailand, Pakistan, and other places,
holding a special fondness for Asian cultures.
Shaolin Temple, Henan, 2004
"Here lies profound cultural history,
where ancient architecture and art survive,
allowing us to see connections with the past.
Much of science, culture, philosophy,
and religion originated in Asia."
Monks debating Buddhist doctrines, 2001
Portraits glimpse into the soul
McCurry is renowned for his vibrant color photography,
documenting ancient traditions,
forgotten cultures, and modern civilizations across the world.
He captures human struggles,
endeavors, and joys across cultural boundaries through his lens.
"Most of my images are people-based.
I try to capture a person's natural state,
to glimpse the most essential soul through portraits.
A person's experiences are etched on their face.
I want to connect their lives through photography
to the destiny of all humanity."
Afghan Girl
The meticulous use of color and humanitarian spirit
give McCurry's photography enduring appeal.
His work "Afghan Girl" graced
the cover of National Geographic in 1985.
The girl's piercing eyes vividly captured
the refugee condition during Afghanistan's conflict in the 1980s.
Afghan Girl
Seventeen years later, McCurry photographed
the Afghan Girl again from the same angle.
He said: "Time and life's hardships
have erased her youth,
her skin has loosened,
but her eyes still shine brightly."
Afghan Girl, 17 Years Later
"Even though we all have a face,
each person is unique.
This difference is fascinating
because everyone's face holds
an incredible story."
Women in Photography Initiative
He also supported education and healthcare
for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
and promoted the Young Women in Photography Initiative.
"We are all connected because we share
the same planet, and we must help each other,
striving to coexist in a good way.
Let us try to cherish this planet,
avoid killing one another,
enjoy our brief lives,
and make them as fulfilling and meaningful as possible."
Visually-Oriented Observer
McCurry's work has a strongly recognizable style,
closer to the poetry of anthropology and documentary.
He happened to be in an era of traditional cultural transformation.
As a keen observer,
his images often carry different meanings and significance.
An Amdo girl and nomads queue to enter the Jokhang Temple, 1999
"I'm a visually oriented person.
If you walk down the street and see something,
you might tend to keep walking.
But for me, I take pictures as I go.
Sometimes, when you open your heart,
you'll discover something special.
Photography isn't a rigid process."
"Over time, I come to view things
from different perspectives. My goal is to
explore unknown people and events,
to document the human condition
in various locations
at specific moments in time."
Smiles, Respect, Trust
"Successfully capturing 'natural' moments
requires patient observation and persistence.
We connect through eye contact
and resonate emotionally by viewing a photograph.
This invisibly forms a powerful force—
this is the very meaning of photography's existence."
"The best way to approach someone is to respect them.
A smile makes those around you feel at ease.
If you earn their trust,
they will open their hearts to you. Once you explain
what you're doing, people become willing
to cooperate and let you take their photo."
"If you wait,
people forget your camera,
and the soul drifts into the frame."
Gazing Eastward
The photography collection "Gazing Eastward" brings together portraits of children, adults, monks, pilgrims, and wanderers from Afghanistan, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Tibet, China. It reveals human experiences transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries, drawing readers into the stories of his journey.
"Portraits of the East" (Published by Phaidon Press)
"I prefer seeking inspiration in the mountains.
The Himalayas have always captivated me.
The cultures of Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet, China,
hold profound spiritual significance.
I am fascinated by the people
who live at such high altitudes."
Bhutan, 2002
For me, the most fascinating place is Litang, Sichuan.
Litang is a small town
where people from different regions gather every year
to attend the grand horse racing festival.
Local Tibetans wear traditional costumes,
competing, playing, and celebrating on the grasslands—
a place rich in humanistic spirit.
Litang, 2001
Inborn sense of style
Once,
while passing through a photo studio in a village
near Labrang Monastery in Gannan,
I noticed various portrait backdrops.
I asked the owner if he’d let me spend a few hours
photographing some of his customers.
This young girl,
dressed in traditional Tibetan attire,
entered the studio with her family—
and I took her portrait.
Village near Labrang Monastery, 2000
Many Tibetans possess an innate sense of style.
Living in such remote parts of the world,
their way of dressing and adornment is truly extraordinary.
They are a proud and dignified people.
A pilgrim from Amdo poses for a commemorative photo at a local photography studio, 2000
Passion, Persistence, No Shortcuts
As one of the world's most renowned humanist photographers,
McCurry unveils cultures and lives across the globe,
delivering not only visual awe
but also profound reflections on existence.
Through his personal journey,
he offers young generations
the most sincere advice.
Young monk holding flowers, Tibet, 2000
When you do what you love,
you excel at it.
Life is a marathon—
persistence is key.
Yet life is also short,
so you must find
fulfillment or joy in your work.
Don’t just do what you think
you’re supposed to do.
Wherever you are,
there are no shortcuts.
A Tibetan monk prostrates beside a bodhi tree, 2001
"Life is a burning flame,
a shining sun,
wind, rain, and thunder,
matter and earth,
being and nothingness—
it transcends eternity."
— Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Steve McCurry
Renowned Photographer
Joined Magnum Photos in 1986, one of the most celebrated contemporary photographers. His work has been published in countless travel magazines and earned the industry’s most prestigious awards, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, the National Press Photographers Association Award, four first-place World Press Photo prizes, and the Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal for lifetime achievement in London. Inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame.
Has held solo exhibitions at museums and galleries worldwide. His works are held in collections including the Sir Elton John Photography Collection (Atlanta), Musée National d'Art Moderne (Paris), International Center of Photography (New York), and National Museum of Modern Art (Tokyo).
