Portraits reveal a desire for human connection;
a desire so strong that people who know they will never see me again
open themselves to the camera, all in the hope that at the other end
someone will be watching,
someone who will laugh or suffer with them.
What could be more simple and more complex,
more obvious and more profound than a portrait.
– Charles Baudelaire
A good portrait is one that says something about the person.
We usually see parts of ourselves in others, so the
good portrait should also say something about the human condition.
The most difficult thing for me is a portrait.
You have to try to put your camera between the
skin of a person and his shirt.
– Henri Cartier-Bresson
Photography and the genre of portraiture have enjoyed a
long and fruitful relationship.
long and fruitful relationship.
From the beginning of depiction, the portrait has
invited its audience to recognize the
invited its audience to recognize the
identity of the subject and then to remember.
– Anthony Bannon
A true portrait should today and a hundred years from today, be the
testimony of how this person looked and
what kind of human being he was.
– Philippe Halsman
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Steve McCurry Curated 
82 replies on “On Portraiture”
[…] photography seems involve creating a visual feast. He talks about his philosophy on his own blog (https://stevemccurry.blog/2017/03/01/on-portraiture-2/), […]
[…] Fotografen geholt. Einer der weltbesten Portraitfotografen, Steve McCurry, schreibt in seinem Blog, was ein gutes Portrait ausmacht. Von wem kann man bessere Tipps bekommen als von […]
Fun of Life!!!
I would love to say that your photos are amazing.
thank you so much your generosity and kindness transmited in your works
As an aspiring photojournalist, I am in awe of your talent in catching the “emotion” of those you photograph. .
Most definitely the most brilliant portrait photographer of our times.
Saludos, GRACIAS por tu Labor. Eres digno de imitar por mi persona. Animo.
Great portraits
Kashmir, my country 🙂 >>Love
(see my page: https://technewspoint.wordpress.com/)
as always, moving & evocative
!Maravilloso!
Fantastc!!!
Such a great photography and it is very inspiring…. Thanks for sharing it.
http://www.grandindiantours.com/tajmahal-tour-by-train.html
Reblogged this on Country Inspiration and commented:
Steve’s portraits project character and depth
[…] via On Portraiture — Steve McCurry’s Blog […]
Wonderful. As always, thank you.
Big fan of you anytime.. Cant express how much your photography inspires me !
Thank you for sharing your gift …
Vielen Dank für diese wundervolle Fotos . Sie berühren mich auf eine ganz besondere Weise
[…] One of the world’s most famous portrait photographers, Steve McCurry, has taken to his blog to bring us his musings on what makes a good portrait. Who better to get advice from than a […]
Breathtaking
thank you so much!
<un grand merci, vos portraits sont tellement profonds et inspirants, chacune permettrait d'écrire un livre. Magnifique!
Reblogged this on Wonder and Beauty and commented:
The eye is the window of the soul.
Always with fascination look over photos. I very like works. I am a photographer and always follow suit from you.
Such great photographs!!! 🙂
xx finja | http://www.effcaa.com
Hi Steve
I have always enjoyed your photographs whatever the theme. I must say this is my favourite so far. You can see expressions of determination, courage, resignation, innocence (in the children), contentment. What I thought was missing was a portrait of a person (or people) radiating joy at being alive.
I think you are a spiritually moved finder and welcomer of others…and that is why your portraits glow with the truth, or one aspect of that truth. Always so appreciative of this.
Your portraits of other human beings remind of how beautiful and fierce we are. I come away feeling less alone in the world. Thank you.
[…] und so intensiv, die Portraits von Steven McCurry […]
Excellent as always Steve……you really capture the soul of a person, the essence of what makes us human.
What a great pictures and portraits.
i had begun to wonder
then to worry
then you return – what
more can one ask for
in pensive times?
your works are beyond normal observation, lighting, mood and composition are just perfect.
[…] via On Portraiture — Steve McCurry’s Blog […]
You pictures are amazing ..every one them is so colorful, intense and awe-inspiring
Thank you thank you for bringing us closer to ourselves and others.
love your photos….ventanas al alma…thanks
[…] via On Portraiture — Steve McCurry’s Blog […]
I was fortunate to see some of these images as part of your “From These Hands” exhibit in Venice a couple of years ago — and again I am struck by the unique gift you have to make a profound connection with your subjects, and yet simultaneously be invisible as a narrator. There is such a wonderful candor and sense of “naturalness” to your images that very few other photographers achieve. THANK YOU for sharing your work here, and most importantly for shining a bright light on the fundamental humanity that unites us all.
Well put hmunro!
Very inspiring.
Reblogged this on Frank und frei and commented:
Unglaubliche Bilder!
Atemberaubend! Jedes Bild sagt so viel mehr, als Worte vermögen.
Herzlichst,
Frank
there are no words,save for my eyes thank you.
awesome pictures and great quotations
Que sont beaux vos portraits απλά υπέροχα.
“when you take a photograph of someone, you take a portrait of their soul”
Thank you Stevebhai for these beautiful and diverse portraits, each one tells a unique story.
steve mccurry,the colors of life,beautiful portraits
Terrific in every way
Absolutely spellbinding. Thank you for the inspiration!
Breathtakingly beautiful – thank you.
Mr McCurry, thank you!
Awesome !
your photography work shows the real beauty with perfection. While you have got chance to travel across the world, you have used this change fully.
Really really great photographic approach
love it.
See my page, (about technology) > https://technewspoint.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/nokia-3310-everybodys-nostalgia/
thanks
I always love your photos!!!!!and this portraits are also fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reblogged this on PGS – The Way and commented:
Steve McCurry is one of the greatest portrait photographers of all time. His Afghan Girl portrait for the cover of National Geographic is one of the most iconic portraits ever taken…
You provide a window to global humanity, like no other. Such beauty in each and every photo. Sometimes brutal, sometimes innocence, but always touching the soul.
such a true comment !
As always Steve, wonderful work!
SIN PALABRAS
Brilliant. Inspirational. A reminder of the complexity and richness of human culture.
Reblogged this on MOONSIDE.
Thank you. It’s wonderful to see the diversity of humans, and the commonality. You beautify my world.
Reblogged this on Frechilla Fotografía and commented:
Magistral como siempre. Perfectos encuadres, luces impresionantes….
Hermosas como siempre las fotografias en el centro cultural Borges . lOVE YOU .
Wonderful work! Thank you and keep it up! May we all see the human in humans around us.
These portraits ignite an inner travel lust in me. As usual, outstanding!
Reblogged this on Giai01's Blog and commented:
Xem
Telling a story using portrait photos is only a genius can do.
I wish not to start a debate but I think people of developed countries are good in hiding emotions and hardship of their life.
Mr McCurry, your work inspires me every time I see it. Thank you for giving a voice to so many!
Love your work. I’ve dedicated a Pinterest board to your photos. Thanks for sharing the faces of the world with us.
Thank you Steve. Absolutely perfect as always.
Your portraits are a pure & universal answer to the mystery of the soul.
well said !
(my page: https://technewspoint.wordpress.com)
Art with a huge A ……. !!!!!!!
thank you
The stories you tell with your portraits are stunning, Steve. I learn something in every one.
Dear Steve.
Always a big fan of the compassion in your pictures.
Please check out my instagram blog at
The Resplendent Soul. I wish I can get your feedback. It’s a spiritual and cultural travel blog from India.
Thank you for these portraits and quotations.
Only admiration.
Admiration and respect for a very fine soul reader…