Steve McCurry

American photojournalist (born 1950) best known for his 1984 Afghan Girl portrait, which became the most famous National Geographic cover in the magazine history. A master of vivid color and human connection, he has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Southeast Asia. Recipient of the Robert Capa Gold Medal for best photographic reporting from abroad. His Afghan Girl remains the most reproduced cover in the magazine's history, outperforming #2 by 15% in reader recognition surveys.