Leica India has hosted an event featuring legendary photographer Steve McCurry that celebrated a century of pioneering craftsmanship and visual storytelling. Several photographers, film personalities, and creative community members came together for the event, featuring a discussion on storytelling, photography, and human connections.
One of the highlights of the event was a conversation between McCurry and filmmaker Kabir Khan that explored the former's four-decade-long career in photography, the less-known stories behind his iconic shots, and the power of visual storytelling.
At the event, Steve McCurry shared, "Photography has always been about people and the stories they carry. Every image is an opportunity to preserve a moment that may never exist again. It has been wonderful to engage with India's passionate photography community and share experiences that continue to shape my journey behind the camera."
Meanwhile, Kabir Khan stated, "Storytelling, whether through cinema or photography, has the power to transcend borders and connect people through emotion. Listening to Steve speak about the journeys behind his images was both inspiring and a reminder that the most memorable stories are often the simplest and the most human."
On McCurry's India visit, Sunil Kaul, Managing Director, Leica Camera Asia Pacific, shared, "With Steve McCurry's visit to India, we are proud to further Leica's commitment to creating platforms that celebrate visual storytelling and meaningful creative exchange. For over a century, Leica has remained committed to empowering photographers who shape the way we see the world. Steve's work embodies the values that define our brand, authenticity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to human stories. His visit offers a unique opportunity to engage with India's vibrant creative community and celebrate the enduring power of photography."
At the event, McCurry also told Kabir Khan why he wanted to visit India and how he ended up staying here for two years as part of his photography endeavour. McCurry said that, when he decided to be a photographer, he had already visited Latin America, Africa, and Europe. "I wanted to go someplace new," he said, and he chose India as "Russia was out of the question" and "China was a little bit difficult" for him.
Steve McCurry initially planned to spend around six weeks in India, but he extended his stay while enduring some initial culture shock and multiple other challenges, including occupancy at a dormitory in Delhi with 20 others. However, he kept his photography passion going, venturing out daily to capture various places of India with his camera. It also proved a cultural expedition for McCurry, with his passion taking him to Ladakh, South India, East India, and Assam.
"It just kept revealing itself with all this culture. After the two years, I went home, but then I almost immediately came back and did two stories in Pakistan and Beirut. And then I really hit the jackpot because probably the best two stories I ever worked on, even till today, was A Story of the Monsoon and The Train Journey Across India.
