The legendary photo-journalist and Magnum Photographer Steve McCurry spoke to Phaidon.com about the stories behind some of his iconic photographs taken from around the world.

McCurry gave us a personal tour of his major retrospective at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (until 17 October).

Every image tells a story, but it’s rather special to hear it from the photographer.

Mules are run into a shoeing stocks, and strapped in to prevent them from hurting themselves and  laid down on their side while farriers work trimming hooves and setting new shoes.

The Snowshoe ski resort in West Virginia hosted this year’s 2010 WHEEL-IN. Off-Roaders from as far north as Michigan and as far south as Florida attended this year’s event held in the always-beautiful majestic mountains of Appalachia.

With registration Thursday afternoon, the parking lot of the hotel began to fill.  Many riders filtered in with vehicles in tow and others drove in coming as they were. Not before long, Jeeps and trucks with trailers had begun to fill random sections of the parking lot. With Jeeps predominantly weighting the field, a Suzuki Samurai, a Ford Lightening, and a factory FJ-Toyota were also contenders.

Friday took riders to various trails and play areas such as Turkey Trot, Pig Pen, and Substation (Rock Garden).  Flat tires due to broken valve stems and the occasional winching of a stuck rig or two were fairly consistent throughout the day. Riders were left feeling exhausted but still wanting more. As some were tailgating in the parking lot, others were heading for a hot shower or a soak in the hot tub while winding down discussing the day’s highlights.

Saturday brought with it heavy fog and mist, and a few bouts of rain. Gathering in the staging area some riders sat inside vehicles, steam venting from holes in lids of hot cups of coffee, hiding from the morning’s dreary elements. Others walked around rapped in blankets engaged in cheerful conservation amongst friends.  Children drove their play cars in the dirt between the rows of jeeps, rode bikes and chased one-another waiting for the day to begin.

Camouflage rain jackets, boots, worn jeans, suspenders and ball caps were the apparel for the event. The many faces of good ol’boys and gals reflected the joy of living for the weekend. Paying their dues during the week, they come out to unwind forgetting about the on goings of every-day life. There is an obvious passion represented here; factory originals take on the transformation from street cruisers, kid haulers and grocery getters to serious off-road machines.  Whether engineered and designed with precision in a performance shop or hand crafted out behind the barn, many hours and thought go into designing and building these unique customized rides. Most are modified in one way or another but, on occasion, you will find a factory original, and this is the beauty of it all.  No matter who you are or what you drive you are welcome. No one is left behind.

This is a way of life. It is a lifestyle. You can’t buy it, you can’t rent it, nor can you borrow it. You live it. It is mud and off-roading, hunting and fishing, it is home grown fun with down home people.  This is off-roading in the east.  It’s 33s, 35s and 44s, it’s lockers, wenches and high-lifts, it is country and mountains and people from all walks of life bringing with them eager smiles, laughter and a firm handshake. They are joined and united by the brand (UFWDA) but ride for the freedom and fun of the escape of the 9 to 5. They ride because it is who they are.

UFWDA is not just an organization of like-minded folks with a common interest. It is more about families and friends and people who like to have fun. They are the individuals that make up the United Four Wheel Drive Association. It is the Men, and Women, couples and singles, the young and old who make this community what it really is.

Sunday was a morning of long goodbyes and a parking lot slowly returning to the expanding emptiness between fading white lines. Tail lights disappearing around the bend as everyone turned towards home with a vision and memory that remains.