Prorgrams & Events
Steve Mccurry: Celebrating Multiculturism Through Photography
On June 15 at 8:10pm, world renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry entered the stage at the Central Market Annex greeted by a cheering crowd of over 200 fans anxious to hear him speak about his métier, photojournalism. To the crowd’s surprise, during Mr. McCurry’s two hour talk, he delved not only into the mechanics of photography, but he also shared the personal motivations that propelled him to shoot timeless photographs like the Afghan Girl, which appeared on National Geographic’s, June 1985, cover. McCurry revealed that highlighting the similarities and beauty of regular people living their everyday lives all over the world is what motivates him.
McCurry, who began his photojournalism career covering the Soviet war in Afghanistan, expanded his beat to include other developing countries such as Pakistan, India, Iran, Iraq, Beirut, Cambodia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
During his presentation, McCurry shared about 30 photographs, explaining that one good photo can capture a range of emotions that have the ability to connect people from different backgrounds to a single experience. After the presentation, Steve led a casual yet very informative question and answer session which gave audience members a chance to ask candid questions ranging from “What type of lens do you use for your camera?” to “What aspects of daily life are you aspiring to project through your shots?” Steve answered the technical questions with ease, and offered an additional insight that his goal was not to chronicle the life of politicians or military leaders but “the regular people caught in between”.
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| Steve McCurry being interviewed by a local television program. |
McCurry concluded his engaging session by sharing a photo of him dressed in traditional Afghan attire. Smiling at his many fans seeking autographs, McCurry said, “That was really a great crowd!”
Steve McCurry also spoke to secondary school students at the Pendang Secondary Technical School in Kedah. A group of 300 students and staff turned out for the event. The students and teachers were excited and were grateful that the U.S. Embassy made an effort to bring McCurry to their school. Several students said that they really “enjoyed this great program.”