In 1984, Steve McCurry took a photo of afghan girl that revolutionized the world. Steve McCurry is well known around the world for taking photos of people in third world countries that open our eyes and shows us how much people are struggling. They usually don’t have many human rights, but seem to be content.
The photo The “Afghan Girl” is a very famous photo that was taken in a school in Afghanistan. McCurry was intrigued by one of the girls in the back, which happened to be a refugee whose parents had perished during the soviet bombings. She had haunting green eyes that seemed to look right through you to your soul. He asked the teacher if he could take some photos of her, but only a couple of them turned out to be good.
After he left Afghanistan, he published the photos and they immediately became popular. The most famous one however was the one of the girl looking straight into the camera. It was in magazines, in books, posters, label pins and even rugs, but no one knew anything about her. Steve McCurry decided that he would try to find the girl again but even 17 years later, he had no such luck.
National Geographic team decided to help McCurry find her again, and they started to look in where she was originally photographed. They managed to contact her brother and husband, who allowed the team to meet with her.
Her name was Sharabat Gula, she had 4 beautiful children, but unfortunately one of them died in infancy, and was married. The only two times she had been photographed was in 1984, and during the interview. Although they were able to take more photos of her, the catch was that it had to be a woman. So they sent in one of the female team members, and she took a couple more photos.
Just to be sure that the lady they were photographing was indeed the girl in the photo, they did a face scan and Matson knew the irises were the same, the moles and scars even. They had found her at last.
When she saw her own photo, she was pleased with the aspect of dignity and resilience that was a symbol for her people. She didn’t seem as interested in her own fame as she was in the fame for her people.
When Matson was asked how much money Sharabat would receive from her photo, Matson answered “she was being looked after”. Even though Sharbat wished to not be contacted anymore, she will always remain the “afghan girl” in our hearts.
She has now stands for a huge group of refugees not just for refugees in her own country. She has taught us that behind pain, and struggles, there is beauty and strength.
The photo The “Afghan Girl” is a very famous photo that was taken in a school in Afghanistan. McCurry was intrigued by one of the girls in the back, which happened to be a refugee whose parents had perished during the soviet bombings. She had haunting green eyes that seemed to look right through you to your soul. He asked the teacher if he could take some photos of her, but only a couple of them turned out to be good.
After he left Afghanistan, he published the photos and they immediately became popular. The most famous one however was the one of the girl looking straight into the camera. It was in magazines, in books, posters, label pins and even rugs, but no one knew anything about her. Steve McCurry decided that he would try to find the girl again but even 17 years later, he had no such luck.
National Geographic team decided to help McCurry find her again, and they started to look in where she was originally photographed. They managed to contact her brother and husband, who allowed the team to meet with her.
Her name was Sharabat Gula, she had 4 beautiful children, but unfortunately one of them died in infancy, and was married. The only two times she had been photographed was in 1984, and during the interview. Although they were able to take more photos of her, the catch was that it had to be a woman. So they sent in one of the female team members, and she took a couple more photos.
Just to be sure that the lady they were photographing was indeed the girl in the photo, they did a face scan and Matson knew the irises were the same, the moles and scars even. They had found her at last.
When she saw her own photo, she was pleased with the aspect of dignity and resilience that was a symbol for her people. She didn’t seem as interested in her own fame as she was in the fame for her people.
When Matson was asked how much money Sharabat would receive from her photo, Matson answered “she was being looked after”. Even though Sharbat wished to not be contacted anymore, she will always remain the “afghan girl” in our hearts.
She has now stands for a huge group of refugees not just for refugees in her own country. She has taught us that behind pain, and struggles, there is beauty and strength.
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