Fusion: The Synergy of Images and Words
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.
Ever since Gutenberg invented the printing press which enabled
everyone access to books, artists have tried to portray the relationship of readers and books.
Garrett Stewart’s book, The Look of Reading:
Book, Painting, Text, explores the relationship of
reading and art.He points out that a wide array of artists from Rembrandt to Picasso and Cassatt
and dozens more,over the past 500 years
have painted people reading and the “look of reading” on the subjects’ faces.
We are familiar with words describing images, but not so
familiar with images describing words and the
impact reading has on our lives.
Reading a good book is a universal activity,
and people read while they do just about everything else.
We read to know we are not alone.
- C.S. Lewis
I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.
– Jorge Luis Borges
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!
- Emily Dickinson
E X H I B I T I O N S
CHRIS BEETLES FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHS
3-5 Swallow Street
London W1B 4DE
September 7 –Extended to October 15, 2011
2525 Michigan Ave #A1
Santa Monica, CA 90404
September 10 – December 1, 2011
735 Main Avenue
Durango, CO
September 9 – December 14, 2011
Museum of Contemporary Art
Rome, Italy
December 1, 2011 – April 29, 2012

















August 21, 2012 at 21:08
This is wonderful Would you let me use it in my library?
August 21, 2012 at 22:13
Absolutely!
August 21, 2012 at 22:59
Thank you SO much – it fits right in with our reading promotion efforts.
January 31, 2012 at 13:30
People all pretty much interested in the same things. Just leave them alone and they will find a way to relax, share and enjoy their time. Thank you for sharing these photos – beautiful images, as usual.
January 31, 2012 at 04:02
I was so awed by Mr. McCurry’s work that, with prior permission, I made this video with some of his wonderful photographs and one of my compositions…I hope you enjoy it…thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1766493297935
January 10, 2012 at 09:04
[...] citit o frumoaaasa fraza: Cartile sunt prietenul care nu m-a dezamagit niciodata. Privind pozele: http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/fusion-the-synergy-of-images-and-words-2/ , sunt mai mult decat convinsa ca cititul nu a dezamagit niciodata, pe nimeni. Like this:LikeBe the [...]
January 3, 2012 at 11:19
Steve, only just discovered you today. So much admiration and respect for your work. Thank you, will be following! Beautiful & meaningful images.
October 26, 2011 at 14:02
thank you. and thank you again. my eyes, and soul, have been immersed in that which i might never have become.
October 24, 2011 at 17:57
WOW – amazing website!!!
October 24, 2011 at 17:46
Thank you for showing that people all over are more alike than different.
Perfect love!
October 24, 2011 at 16:30
I wish to have your talent…just amazing O.o
October 24, 2011 at 16:27
So beautiful and so impressive. You really look great with your eye of camera, deeply hits! Thank you, with my love, nia
October 23, 2011 at 20:25
I know you today from at a photograph magazine with Ara Güler (Turkey) so found your blog and your photograps,ı liked too much loves from Turkey.
October 23, 2011 at 16:32
You are my mentor… Amazing work !
October 21, 2011 at 07:36
Discovered your blog with this page, which I love! Have shared it on: https://www.facebook.com/nuhafoundation.
October 21, 2011 at 02:46
thank you for photographs with wisdom……:)
October 17, 2011 at 13:40
Hi Steve,
Can you please post more close-up portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi and other famed people you photographed in one of newer posts?
I guess its not too much I am asking (rather demanding) for
October 13, 2011 at 22:21
Absolutely wonderful!!! I love the theme; how you put everrything together. It flows so well – the pictures and words.
The lighting for your shots is beautiful. I learn so much examining each photo and how you used the lighting. Thanks ever so much for sharing this.
October 13, 2011 at 15:10
Inspired to go shooting (photos) and pick up a good book. Thanks!
October 13, 2011 at 15:04
Great post. You always manage to capture such moments in time that truely speak to me.
October 12, 2011 at 22:16
Steve, I always visit your blog to find assurance that humans are more deeply kindred than separated by the conflicts that pass their lives.
October 11, 2011 at 13:39
I just have one question… how do you know or you decide when to capture a shot? See all your shots are not prearranged or set like fashion photography.. Just fraction of seconds?
October 11, 2011 at 07:21
Great work Steve, you’re the inspiration for photographers around the world. http://jnadalesfoto.wordpress.com/
October 10, 2011 at 15:30
It’s very surprise for me when i look at your photo. This collection make me happy. I think everyone can reading but I just think only. But your photo show to me that my thinking is real…
THANK YOU FOR THE BEST PHOTO FOR ME.
***If it’s possible, I hope to see your collection at Thailand.
October 10, 2011 at 14:31
Parabéns, suas fotografias são um encanto, continuarei acompanhando o seu trabalho.
Depois visite o meu blog http://rosanabarros.blogspot.com/
Tenha um bom dia
October 7, 2011 at 23:04
Hello,
A very common scene throughout the world but It combines together to form a nice story. It delivers a very strong message that gathering knowledge from books,newspapers or magazine never been obsolete and the communication is still very strong even in this jet age.
Partha
October 4, 2011 at 16:46
Uniting the world through your photographs. How cleverly you have shown how same we all are , wherever we are from. India to Istanbul. Great social message.
October 3, 2011 at 20:54
Caro sr Steve,
Estou morando no Rio de janeiro a aproximadamente 2 anos, como todos falam é uma cidade maravilhosa, mas uma das coisas que mais impressionaram quando aqui cheguei foi de ver o grande numero de pessoas que leem nas ruas , nas praças , pontos de onibus, em todos os lugares e tambem a quantidade de vendedores de livros usados que instalam suas bancas ao longo das ruas, Seu olhar atento e suas fotos nos revelam este habito tao saudavel ao redor do mundo. abraços do Brazil
October 3, 2011 at 18:57
Good one, Steve!
October 3, 2011 at 17:29
Your photos and story line is so beautiful. One will not starve of beauty when she can access such works of art…
October 3, 2011 at 17:10
just grab a book and read. theres nothing more valuable than writing.
October 3, 2011 at 16:23
I love books! They take me to places I have never been and will ever be. It is so powerful that it can change lives just by flicking through pages of inspiring words.
The pictures you took are awesome!
October 3, 2011 at 15:55
Thank you, your photographs are inspirational, Judith (Lincolnshire UK)
October 3, 2011 at 15:03
The power of the word versus the power of the camera!
Beautiful!
Kind regards, Corina van Holstein
October 3, 2011 at 13:54
Are all these photos by Steve McCurry ? I suspect they are. They are all fantastic of course.
October 3, 2011 at 13:56
Yes, all by Steve. Thanks!
October 3, 2011 at 10:40
It is always a pleasure looking at your work!
October 3, 2011 at 09:20
Wonderful collection, starting with an image of a person I deeply admire. Thanks Steve.
October 3, 2011 at 09:13
thank you for sharing the images..all of them is wonderful..
October 3, 2011 at 08:03
Your photography is amazing, and so arec all your travels! GREAT Post!!
October 3, 2011 at 07:18
you’re a incredible inspiration for me.
thank you from Italy
October 3, 2011 at 06:09
Such beautiful photographs! Especially the ones taken in China and Mumbai.
Your work inspires, thank you.
Best,
Soshal
October 3, 2011 at 04:10
Publishing Houses need to hire you! Stunning study of the glory of print. Thank you.
October 3, 2011 at 02:43
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station feels like it’s living and breathing.
In near future Govt has a plan to replace these classic black&yellow cabs with modern cars. We will not see it again if it happens. Thanks for sharing.
http://KaushalSingh.wordpress.com
October 3, 2011 at 01:39
As always a great collection.. I’ve been inspired from this series and have a few posts in my blog, in the ‘reading’ theme.
October 3, 2011 at 01:03
When I read to my husband in the evening it is as if we are on a magic carpet ride, enjoying and riding the carpet together, visiting times past, present ,and future and creating an intimate journey together. Words become pictures arousing intense emotions sometimes more so than television or movies.
October 2, 2011 at 22:52
And thanks again for the voice of basic sanity and so eloquent…….
October 2, 2011 at 22:04
HI Steve,
I loved your exhibit at the Peter Fetterman Gallery-
Loved the colors and energy the prints seem to stir!
As an artist it’s wonderful to see your work in person.
Best Regards, and thank you for sharing your vision!
Seda
October 2, 2011 at 21:08
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos with us. Every one of them makes one think and wonder.
October 2, 2011 at 21:05
thank you for taking the images, and again thank you for sharing
October 2, 2011 at 20:49
I was wandering through the new bookstore at the MFA-Boston Friday evening and I left with two books… your “ The Path to Buddha” and Andre Kertesz “On Reading”, neither of which I had seen before. It’s a funny twist to sign up for your blog and get this first post about your upcoming exhibits. Your images are beautiful and thoughtful. I always want to know more.
-Betsy
October 2, 2011 at 20:29
Very @ the heart of the image…