emirates man
apr/may 2015
| CULTURE | ART WOMEN IN THE FRAME 53
The legendary photographer who took the iconic Afghan Girl picture speaks about his new exhibition – a series of photos of UAE women titled, 7 Princesses
These photographs are a way to celebrate women and the UAE. Women here are not visible the way they are in other countries. Part of the objective was to show the location, too. In some cases the location dominates the picture, especially in the photo of the woman in the mountains.
The women volunteered for the pictures and were very cooperative. They were very personable and friendly. These are women who are doing interesting things. They speak their mind and they’re forceful.
You can do a wonderful portrait in 30 minutes or less. But when you’re working with certain light it can take longer. Each photo in this series took about three hours. We worked from 3pm to sunset because we had to wait for the light to get soft.
When I take a portrait I try to make it seem natural and matter of fact to make the person feel comfortable. It can take a few minutes. A lot of it is to do with the psychology of working with people. If I’m not comfortable then I can’t make the person at ease and the picture will look awkward and tense.
My first professional job was in 1972 working on a college newspaper in Pennsylvania. It was a thrill to see my pictures in print. I quit that job to go travelling in 1978. I didn’t have any money and went to Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. I was finding my way, trying to figure out how I could do this and pay the rent.
Steve McCurry
Top: McCurry with his most famous photograph. He tracked down his subject 20 years later and photographed her again (to his left) Top and left: Images from his Dubai exhibition
I took the Afghan Girl photograph in 1984 in a Pakistan refugee camp. I’m happy to talk about it, but when you’re asked the same question thousands of times after a while you get to a point where you think: What? Again? But people like the photo, so thank goodness for that.
From a financial point of view, I could have retired 15 years ago. But photography is what I do; it’s like breathing to me. It gives life purpose and meaning. It’s a pleasure, like eating, sleeping, or swimming. Photography is my life: wandering around, taking pictures, and enjoying being alive.
The Empty Quarter, Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, Sun to Thur, 10am to 7pm, free. Tel: (04) 3231210. Taxi: Gate Village, DIFC.
theemptyquarter.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94