Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words
Yemen
Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book.
Thailand
Garrett Stewart’s book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art.
China
We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives.
France
Afghanistan
Artists from Rembrandt to Picasso have explored the interaction of people with their books.
Afghanistan
Everywhere I go in the world, I see young and old, rich and poor, reading books. Whether readers are engaged in the sacred or the secular, they are, for a time, transported to another world.
India
Reading a good book is a universal activity, and people read while they do just about everything else.
Pakistan
India
Italy
India
Susan Sontag said, “The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality…” The same can be said for reading books
.
China
“When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.” — Erasmus
May 26, 2013 at 18:46
[…] a collection of photos of people reading, entitled “Fusion: The Synergy of Energy and Words” (Part I and Part II). The idea to shoot photos of people reading was itself prompted by his relationship […]
March 1, 2013 at 19:46
[...] on mõned päris toredad fotod lugevatest [...]
January 10, 2013 at 05:24
Thank you so much Steve.
December 7, 2012 at 11:37
[...] WordPress interview with McCurry here…above photo from his series, Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words… [...]
August 24, 2012 at 14:06
These are wonderful. Thank you.
March 9, 2012 at 08:27
[...] this blog. Thank you Steve McCurry for sharing these stunning photographs of people reading around the [...]
August 19, 2011 at 14:41
[...] more photos here and [...]
December 6, 2010 at 13:57
[...] http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/fusion-the-synergy-of-images-and-words/ [...]
October 26, 2010 at 02:39
This is so wonderful.
October 25, 2010 at 01:02
Exquisite, thank you for posting.
October 23, 2010 at 14:41
Steve I visited your exhibition in Birmingham and was really impressed by your work. You have captured the lows and highs of the subjects and show their souls in your pictures Thank you and well done.
October 22, 2010 at 19:46
amazing issue again, amazing work on it. let me know, if it’s possible to assist you, at least for one shot. thank you for this blog.
Daniel
October 22, 2010 at 19:47
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Zl-6kBTB7Q/TMHnqU4PDwI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/r0oH2CLIKuo/s1600/DSC_0902.jpg
October 22, 2010 at 13:03
It’s Steve McCurry that has inspired me to become a photographer. Even though I have a visual impairament, I tell my self If I could be half as good as Steve I’ll be happy.
October 16, 2010 at 00:16
Your photographs are so wonderful. They make me feel very, very, very small.
October 14, 2010 at 21:29
Hi Steve,
Your photos are amazing, I absolutely love them. I envy you! I would love to have a job like yours – One day, I hope to work for National Geographic and travel all around the world and take photos for the magazine. I am currently a freshman at Georgia Southern University and am majoring in Art, 2D specifically, but I plan on minoring in photography. I have taken many photo classes and I spend the majority of my time taking photos and even editing them. During my senior year of high school, I took AP 2D-Design where I had to create a portfolio and submit it and receive a score based on the quality and other requirements of my images. The highest score one could get on their portfolio is a 5 and I received a 4. Our portfolios had to evolve in some way and had to be concentrated on a specific topic. My concentration started out to be “things one could find in a junkyard” and my concentration evolved into looking closely at the textures of the things that I found in junkyards. I have fallen in love with photography ever since I took the AP 2D-Design class at my high school. I love the National Geographic magazine, the photos in the magazine are incredible and inspiring. Last year I actually entered an online contest for NGM and submitted one of my photos but unfortunately did not win. Taking pictures is more than a hobby for me, I would love to take photos as a living. Here at Georgia Southern, one of my professor’s name is Loretta Brandon, she told me all about you! I wanted to look at more of your photos and send you a message. I enjoy looking at your photos and I hope that we can maybe talk sometime about having a career in photography – do you have any tips for an aspiring photographer who wants to work for National Geographic like me? Thanks for all of your amazing photos! Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re my role model
Thanks Steve,
Haley H
October 14, 2010 at 13:02
[...] View the whole photo essay, as well as McCurry’s reflections on reading, here. [...]
October 6, 2010 at 14:17
[...] de Steve McCurry, de la serie Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words. [...]
September 26, 2010 at 18:21
Genius!!!
September 26, 2010 at 18:20
You are juste AMAZING AMAZIIIING… FANTASTIC!!!!
You are my favorit favorite photografer!!!! Realy!!!!
best regards!!
September 22, 2010 at 13:12
People craving words. No sight more beautiful than that – one worth capturing!
September 18, 2010 at 17:15
Thank you for doing this blog, thank you for taking photographs the way you do. Thank you for taking me to all those places I cannot go and for introduce me to all the people I cannot met. Thank you Profesor Steve for make me feel inspired.
September 18, 2010 at 16:06
[...] pulls together series of shared human experiences, experiences such as LOVE, SOLUTIDE, SLEEPING and READING[READING partII]. Do yourself a favor a take [...]
September 16, 2010 at 17:31
good blog
September 12, 2010 at 17:00
Dear Steve,
These images are so incredible! I can’t help but thinking that they would be wonderful all together as a poster, like those Doors of Amsterdam posters)
or as a long piece of paper that snakes along the top of a room, like the ABC strips, but just with your pictures.
Really amazing!
September 5, 2010 at 23:32
[...] my heart to some of the romance surrounding the printed word, and the joy of reading. Nevertheless, this photo blog unlocked the chains around my Grinchy heart and made me misty, even as the jumpy cynic deep in my [...]
September 5, 2010 at 10:41
Hi Steve
The images and the words are indeed fantastic. Amazing images!
A picture speaks more than a thousand words. The words along with the images
leave indelible mark on one’s heart and soul. They are so inspiring.
I deal with young students in India. My students do a lot of work towards the Service to the community. They go to orphanages and share their books with the special children and help them in their studies. They invite them to attend some events that are held in our school and encourage them to perform. I have documented my students work on my blog. Please visit my blog. It will be an honor for all of us. http://caseducation360degrees.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
September 4, 2010 at 04:27
[...] Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words « Steve McCurry’s Blog [...]
August 31, 2010 at 23:51
Amazing! My favorite is the one with the elephant. I would love to sit and read a novel while resting on an elephant. I suppose they make comfortable backrests. But why are they all men? Where are the women readers? Can we add women readers, please?
August 31, 2010 at 20:12
I especially love the photo of the youth with the elephant & the monks reading.
August 31, 2010 at 14:58
Hi Steve, I am discovering your blog, it’s very informative, I had a great time browsing through the posts…
Cheers
Yan
August 30, 2010 at 14:17
[...] See part I here. [...]
August 30, 2010 at 05:00
[...] Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book. Garrett Stewart's book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art. We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives. Artists fro … Read More [...]
August 27, 2010 at 18:54
I love these photos.
August 27, 2010 at 05:08
[...] read while leaning up against an elephant, but I do have something in common with every person in Steve McCurry’s photo blog – we’re all readers. This guy has travelled all over, and taken some wonderful [...]
August 26, 2010 at 14:17
The range of shots of people reading is wonderful – just trawling through my own archives and realised how many times I have been fascinated by this as a subject too – even found one image that had such a deep personal impact and in some ways told the story of my life, relationships with parents and the kind of head and heart I have now…not bad for a single image….
http://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=720609
August 26, 2010 at 07:41
Hi Steve,
I’m a Kolkata-based Indian who loves words, words and more words, but right now I’m at a loss of them. I clicked on this ‘reply’ box, but I’m punched by a ‘what do I write!’ feeling. Utterly shocking
Your photographs have the power to make people speechless, teary, happy, melancholic and thoughtful… all in the same breath. Kudos to your compositions.
Thank you for freezing moments in time that would have been otherwise lost to us.
August 26, 2010 at 03:11
Wonderful photo essay. I like this very much.
August 25, 2010 at 22:03
[...] display for the first time on his own blog. Entitled “Fusion: The Synergy of Energy and Words” (Part I and Part II) drew a strong reaction from book lovers. “More than 4,000 people visited the site in [...]
August 25, 2010 at 18:35
Wonderful pictures, but my favorite is of the young man reading with a young elephant trying to get his attention
August 25, 2010 at 15:08
[...] beautiful photo collection of people reading around the [...]
August 25, 2010 at 07:02
[...] for the first time on his own blog. Entitled “Fusion: The Synergy of Energy and Words” (Part I and Part II) drew a strong reaction from book lovers. “More than 4,000 people visited the [...]
August 24, 2010 at 20:42
Me encantó la simplicidad de las personas elegidas para esas tomas. Transmiten paz y sencillez.
August 24, 2010 at 19:05
These are exciting pictures. Absolutely the best book devoted to this subject is the masterful “A History of Reading” by Alberto Manguel (Viking).
My favorite chapter tells the tale of the 5th-century St. Ambrose, thought to be the first man known to have been observed reading silently, at the time considered to be a remarkable achievement. Thank you to everyone concerned with this.
August 24, 2010 at 19:39
Wonderful recommendation. Many thanks.
August 24, 2010 at 18:15
[...] McCurry (he of National Geographic ‘Afghan Girl’ fame) has a lovely photo-essay up on his blog about books, and the people who read them. Category: Linked [...]
August 24, 2010 at 05:03
[...] [from steve_portigal] Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words [Steve McCurry's Blog[ - [Photjournalist assembles series of images of people reading, across the planet] [...]
August 24, 2010 at 02:52
[...] 23 Aug http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/fusion-the-synergy-of-images-and-words/ [...]
August 24, 2010 at 02:44
[...] Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book. Garrett Stewart's book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art. We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives. Artists fro … Read More [...]
August 23, 2010 at 22:53
[...] 3) Reading, all around the world. [...]
August 23, 2010 at 21:24
I love these images! If you ever decide to make these into greeting cards, contact me. I would love to sell them in our bookstore.
August 23, 2010 at 19:53
Wonderful post! I hope you don’t mind that I’ve placed a link to it on my own blog. Readers everywhere will love this!
August 23, 2010 at 19:50
[...] who loves reading will love Steve McCurry’s blog post, “Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words“. Fantastic pictures of people all over the world doing what we love to do – [...]
August 23, 2010 at 19:12
Wonderful idea, well captured.
August 23, 2010 at 18:12
[...] Joy of Reading a Book My librarian son sent this link to his book loving mother. The pictures capture the love of reading a book and are worth sharing [...]
August 23, 2010 at 17:55
The photos are beautiful, but I think it’s also interesting that I counted one woman reading in these photos.
Women don’t have leisure to read in most parts of the world. Very sad.
August 24, 2010 at 17:36
The dearth of photos of females reading was the first thing I thought about, too. Yes, it is very sad. And telling, too.
August 23, 2010 at 16:51
Wonderful cords of connection with others. Would love to see a collection of book store photos. A favorite book: 84, Charing Cross Road.
August 23, 2010 at 16:51
Wonderful photos of people reading. How reassuring.
August 23, 2010 at 16:39
Hello Steve,
These photographs are wonderful! I would love to show them to my students….I do a lesson on plagerism and also would like to use your examples because this is a common proiblem PowerPoint presentations. Please let me know if you have a place where I can buy your pictures, or if this is a permanent llink.
Thank you so much!
August 23, 2010 at 16:41
Hello,
You can see my pictures at my website: http://www.stevemccurry.com
Thanks for looking at the blog.
Steve
August 23, 2010 at 15:06
These are awesome. Anyone know where you can buy selected prints from this book?
August 23, 2010 at 16:35
Hello,
You can go to stevemccurry.com to view fine art prints.
Best,
Bonnie
Staff at Steve Mccurry Studios, LLC
August 23, 2010 at 14:48
Nice essay. I am relative new to blogging, and also to worldpress. Is there possibility that i reblog some of your images with small introduction of you and your work?
August 23, 2010 at 14:39
What a great terrific and powerful essay. Thanks for the beautiful work.
August 23, 2010 at 13:11
Wonderful images! We readers need reminding that we’re not alone!
August 23, 2010 at 12:56
[...] Here’s a link to some beautiful photographs of people around the world reading: “Steve MCCurry’s Blog - Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words” TAKE A LOOK! [...]
August 23, 2010 at 12:53
[...] Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book. Garrett Stewart's book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art. We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives. Artists fro … Read More [...]
August 23, 2010 at 12:06
Just disovered your blog through shelf awareness. Your pictures are stunning – I’m off to explore more, but the series depicting reading struck such a chord with me…
August 23, 2010 at 09:15
Beautiful and hopeful! Life is surprising! I love your work Steve. Colours are so beautiful. Am half Indian, and your photos touch a chord in me. Thank you!
August 23, 2010 at 09:11
[...] Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book. Garrett Stewart's book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art. We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives. Artists fro … Read More [...]
August 23, 2010 at 05:09
[...] Images of People Reading Posted on August 22, 2010 by Dennis Y. Ginoza at Steve McCurry‘s blog: Fusion: The Synergy of Images [...]
August 23, 2010 at 05:08
beautiful to see this connection to the book.
August 22, 2010 at 21:10
Lovely idea to pull such fine pictures together, powerful vindication of the printed word………..
August 19, 2010 at 23:20
I love your work, I went in his speech in Sao Paulo at MIS, I really liked …
I know many people write to you with the intention of knowing more about his work and I am one who would like to know more about their travels and work, I have a blog of my photos if you like what you can enter and leave your opinion and any possible hint to improve my work, I thank you in advance.
The address of my blog is http://jardielcarvalho.wordpress.com/
I’ma big fan of your work.
August 19, 2010 at 00:06
I love to read and I love art; thank you for sharing this; love your poignant photography!!
August 18, 2010 at 17:44
Beautiful images. Thanks for sharing.
August 18, 2010 at 17:37
Beautiful pictures. Makes me think that humans are forever hungry for knowledge.
August 18, 2010 at 00:40
Hey Steve, I have been wanting to ask you a question and this seems to be the only place for me to do so. I have been traveling throughout Latin America and India for the past year really exploring photography. I love everything about it but I always encounter the issue of, is taking this photo rude because they are staring right at me and may not want their photo taken? In all of your photos it seems to me that everybody is pretty oblivious to the fact that you are taking a photo of them or they just do not care. Maybe you could share some insight on this subject. Always enjoy your work.
-Andrew
August 17, 2010 at 15:43
As usual, whenever I see his images I always think “AHHH!!”
August 17, 2010 at 15:42
As a Librarian as well as a reader – the two do not necessarily always go together – I enjoyed your photos.
August 17, 2010 at 10:14
I like the series you proect Steve. You have great ideas.
August 17, 2010 at 07:49
Respected Steve,
All the images are fantastic ! Like the way how you have shown that people from all over the world likes to read. Fantastic way of story telling.
August 17, 2010 at 07:49
Respected Mr. Steve,
All the images are fantastic ! Like the way how you have shown that people from all over the world likes to read. Fantastic way of story telling.
August 17, 2010 at 06:51
[...] August 17th, 2010 § 0 Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled everyone to read books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of a reader and his/her book. Garrett Stewart's book, The Look of Reading: Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of reading and art. We are familiar with words describing images, but not so familiar with images describing words and the impact reading has on our lives. Artists fro … Read More [...]
August 17, 2010 at 06:50
Thanks for sharing the collection of images and quotes.
August 15, 2010 at 01:48
Very inspiring..
August 14, 2010 at 21:09
[...] books on almost anything really. This post made me smile with it’s collection of photographs of people reading. [...]
August 14, 2010 at 14:03
I shared this on my Facebook to illustrate how a coherent theme/idea transcends time and geographical boundaries. I also happen to love reading and is still write as a profession and and as a passion.
Thank you for the many wonderful images of people in the act of reading. Iam now a fan of your blog (and of your photography of course). Cheers!
August 14, 2010 at 14:06
I shared this on my Facebook to illustrate how a coherent theme/idea transcends time and geographical boundaries. I also happen to love reading and I still write as a profession and as a passion.
Thank you for the many wonderful images of people in the act of reading. I am now a fan of your blog (and of your photography of course). Cheers!
August 13, 2010 at 16:28
excelente serie, hace muchos años que sigo tu trabajo,y lo comentaba amis alumnos de la Universidad.Gracias
August 12, 2010 at 02:56
Image 5 is so real. Thanks for seeing these moments so that we could share them with you.
August 11, 2010 at 23:50
What absolutely stunning work..and oh-so-very inspiring.
August 11, 2010 at 16:18
Hi Steve,
Thanks for sharing.
I liked all photographs….
Reading books… hmm…. better I don’t not write any thing about it
With best wishes,
Pawan
August 11, 2010 at 14:49
Beautilul images and thoughts! Are you familiar with the Wallace Stevens poem, The House Was Quiet and the World Was Calm–the opening lines go:
The house was quiet and the world was calm.
The reader became the book; and summer night
Was like the conscious being of the book.
The house was quiet and the world was calm.
August 11, 2010 at 14:58
Thanks for this. I will look up the poem.
Best,
Steve
August 11, 2010 at 14:03
Brilliant blog post. Really gives an insight into a subject which is taken for granted by us all.
August 11, 2010 at 13:18
A great post…loved the words and images
August 11, 2010 at 12:49
People reading is also a favorite subject of mine. Beautiful work.
August 11, 2010 at 10:55
wonderful essay! I love the fusion between books and images.
August 11, 2010 at 10:36
I am particularly touched by this thematic. I have already talked about it in my blog which is dedicated to the love ok books and reading.
Thanks a lot for all the magnificient and strong images of the world that you share with us.
August 11, 2010 at 08:27
Wonderful Steve. That shot with the elephant is outstanding.
August 11, 2010 at 06:33
Thank you for your work.
August 11, 2010 at 06:19
I am awed and in wonder. So well woven.
August 11, 2010 at 06:17
superb collection and writeup… so refreshing.
August 11, 2010 at 05:28
Love, love, love these images, and your words to go with them.
August 10, 2010 at 23:33
Meaningful photo essay. Like it a lot. Thanks.
August 10, 2010 at 23:32
Steve’s Images Are Pure Magic————>The Essence Of Life
August 10, 2010 at 21:34
How utterly exquisite.
August 10, 2010 at 21:15
Very nice essay!
August 10, 2010 at 20:55
What a magnificent essay! These are images I would love for my students to see every single day in the classroom. Again, I am grateful for your rich artistry here. What your images (and words) say about the power and art of reading convey something so much deeper than our constant bumper sticker reminders to “do your reading.”