The Afghan Girl

Today, a conversation with a friend of mine reminds me of a photo that I wouldn't forget. The photo of a unnamed green-eyed “Afghan girl” brought in Steve McCurry, a Philadelphia born American photographer documentary fame after her photo was released on the cover of June 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine. Moreover, McCurry's photo of the girl was then selected as the cover of National Geographic 100 Best Pictures.

McCurry found this 12 years old girl when he was driving from the borderline of Pakistan to Afghanistan in 1984, ahead to the Soviet troops. When he saw her, he knew instantly that he wanted to shoot her. McCurry approached and took the girl first photo in her life. Those sea green eyes, the golden brown skin and everything in them you can read the tragedy of a land drained by war. She was one of the world's most famous faces, peoples attracted by her piercing eyes yet for 17 years no one knew her name. Her image appeared on the front of magazines and books, posters, printed tees and even mats, but she didn't know it.

Until January 2002, a National Geographic team returned to where she was originally photograph to search for her. She was shifted and finally being identified through a series of contacts that led to her brother and husband, who agreed to ask her if she was willing to be interviewed as she's now the mother of 3 children. They then know her story. They also witness the cruel war. Her name is Sharbat Gula which means the flower of aromatic syrup.

Her second photo in her life..

Can you still recognize her in this reflection of brutal war?