Life through a special lens: The work of Steve McCurry

An exhibition in London captures the work of an American photographer who travelled the region and the world.

Afghan Girl is the image that, for many, represents the photography of Steve McCurry. Yet the image neither defines nor describes the scale and scope of his work.

A new exhibition in London captures the creative spirit of the American-born photographer, who won his first major award in 1980 while covering the war in Afghanistan for Time magazine.

It was there, four years later that he captured the striking image of a young green-eyed refugee girl in a headscarf, in a haunting portrait that – used on the cover of National Geographic – came to represent the beauty and tragedy of Afghanistan.

As the new exhibtion shows, McCurry has devoted much of his time and work to the region, in particular India, capturing the lives and sometimes unexpected beauty of ordinary people in times of war and peace.

Steve McCurry runs until March 19 at the Beetles and Huxley Gallery in Swallow Street.

All photos:© Steve McCurry. Images courtesy Beetles and Huxley.