Afghan Girl – Steve McCurry

Afghan Girl portrait - Steve McCurry for National Geographic

Afghan Girl – Steve McCurry for National Geographic

Why?

Green eyes, red face and veil, green wall; complementary colours interact well together. Eyes turned to show more of the whites which makes them stand out. Dominant eye on the central vertical line of the picture to make it look like she’s staring at you.

How?

He took enormous personal risks in Pakistan and Afghanistan to document the conflict and its effects. The struggle of the Afghan people was best communicated by Sharbat Gula, a twelve year old refugee whose eyes show both fear and defiance. He photographed everyone in her class so that the social-proof would help her agree to the portrait. Photographed with Kodachrome and a now-cheap 105mm  f2.5 lens for National Geographic magazine.

To find the best information available about this photograph without talking with Steve McCurry himself, check out the article about the Afghan Girl – Best Photography Portrait on Shot.Click