A portrait of a young Pashtun orphan in a Pakistani refugee camp established Steve McCurry as a central figure in modern photojournalism. His documentation of Sharbat Gula in 1984, featuring her distinct green eyes, became a defining image for National Geographic and remains among the most recognized photographs in the magazine's long history.
Early Career and Conflict Reporting
Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry attended Pennsylvania State University, where he transitioned from cinematography studies to earn a degree in theater arts in 1974. His photography career began with contributions to the student newspaper, The Daily Collegian. After spending a year in India, he traveled to the Pakistan border. Disguised in local clothing, he crossed into Afghanistan just before the Soviet invasion to document the war. He successfully smuggled his film rolls out of the country in his turban and clothing. These images earned him the 1980 Robert Capa Gold Medal and international visibility through publications like The New York Times, Time, and Paris Match.
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McCurry joined Magnum Photos in 1986 and consistently contributed to National Geographic, covering global conflicts including the Iran–Iraq War, the Lebanon Civil War, the Cambodian Civil War, the Gulf War, and the Afghan Civil War. In 2005, he transitioned from color slide film to digital capture to improve field editing and transmission. Despite this shift, he retained an interest in traditional media; he used the final roll of Kodachrome film ever produced by Kodak in 2010. Beyond journalism, his commercial work includes projects for Microsoft in 2015 and the 2019 publication of Animals by Taschen.
Controversy and Ethical Scrutiny
In 2016, McCurry faced public criticism regarding the heavy digital manipulation of his images, including the removal of people and objects. He characterized his work as visual storytelling rather than strict reportage. While initially attributing some alterations to the staff who processed his prints, he later acknowledged responsibility for the edits. Further controversies emerged in 2019 when a documentary by photographer Tony Northrup questioned the ethics of his documentation, specifically regarding the safety of the subjects in his most famous portraits.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Philadelphia
- Education: Pennsylvania State University
- Notable Work: Afghan Girl
- Member: Magnum Photos (since 1986)
- Robert Capa Gold Medal: 1980
- World Press Photo prizes: 1985, 1992
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of the Afghan Girl photo?
It was taken in December 1984 at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Pakistan, depicting an approximately 12-year-old orphan named Sharbat Gula.
Did Steve McCurry cover the September 11 attacks?
Yes, he photographed the World Trade Center towers from his building and later accessed Ground Zero to document the site in the immediate aftermath.
Achievements
- Robert Capa Gold Medal — 1980
- Notable work: Afghan Girl
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