National geographic "Afghan Girl"

(left: 1985 / right: 2002)

This photograph was taken by Steve McCurry for the cover of the national Geographic’s Magazine. It shows an afghan girl who was forced to leave her home in Afghanistan- at that time she was 13 years old –, after de soviet occupation in her country. It was taken in the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Pakistan, because the soviets had killed her parents.

Even though the photographer didn`t know the name of the girl, he published the photo in the cover. It became the most memorable cover of the magazine.

In 2002, Steve McCurry went back to the ex refugee camp to find the “Afghan Girl”. After several interviews and stories about her, he found this girl`s neighbor. Some days later the neighbor came back with the Afghan Girl`s Brother, who could finally guide McCurry to the real girl. The name of the woman was Sharbat Gula, and she was a 30 years old lady now, but she kept her characteristic green eyes. Her identity was confirmed using facial recognition tests and biometric studies, but as Steve Mc Curry says, he recognizes her at first time. He helped Sharbat paying the education of her children and her trip to Mecca.

I really like this photograph because the intensity of Sharbat`s eyes, and her eyes didn`t change through the years. I think if Steve McCurry takes another photo in 2010, we could see exactly the same eyes. I like this photo also because the color combination between the cloak and the green background. It fits perfectly with the intensity of her green eyes, and even with her color skin. Finally, the illumination was perfect to show all the details of the photo.