Steve McCurry: Color and light

 

There is something interesting when you're just looking into the eyes of someone. No expression just eye contact. it's interesting that McCurry tends to shoot most of his portraits with little to no facial expression. In the past we have discussed how eyes are the windows into our soal and I believe that that is something that McCurrys images show. Living in places like the U.S. where we live in individualistic societies and with limited intimate human interaction making eye contact with anyone can be seen as uncomfortable, However the way that Steve's portraits intentionally put you in the place where you have to share a moment with the person in the photograph even for a second.

McCurry also does a great job of including cultures from many different parts of the world.  In a world full of conflict McCurry photos are great story tellers. it is interesting that one of his first and most popular image of a young girl from Afghanistan shows that creating of bridges to connect outsiders in a different perspective then what they're represented like on mainstream media. In a society like the one that the U.S. practices that is so individualistic it is important to share even a short moment with a person from any other place in the world. It reminds us that we are not the only ones in this world and makes any momentarily worry or stress seam so small. 

The image that I picked was one of the portraits that Mccurry shot in India, this image captured my attention because of the mans expression. Looking at all the colors and residue of powder from Holi celebration, meant to celebrate good over evil creates a sense of cheerfulness. McCurrys dedication to share different cultural experiences from Dia de los Muertos images in Mexico to Children playing in Madagascar this artist connects culture and art in the perfect way.