Visual Analysis of the Afghan Girl - Case Study Example

s Visual Analysis of the Afghan Girl The iconic photograph of the ‘unknown’ Afghan Girl was shot by journalist Steve McCurry in early 1980s. It became a well-known photograph after it was featured in the June 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine. Formally identified as Sharbat Gula in 2002, the Afghan girl was around 12 years old when the photograph was taken by McCurry in a refugee camp in Pakistan. Having lost her parents during the military occupation of Afghanistan by erstwhile Soviet Union and the resultant conflicts, she along with her grandmother and siblings traveled through mountainous terrain during harsh winter to reach the refugee camp.

The image of her on a greenish background draped in a tattered red scarf or burqa with her iconic green eyes directly starring at the camera became the symbol of the Afghan conflict and sufferings of the refugees. So, a visual analysis of the photograph will done focusing on how the colors and framing was effectively composed, and how it reflects her tough life but at the same time her strong resolve. It seems that McCurry has set up the shot of the girl with apt coloring and framing, starting with a green building in the background.

This green building coincidently yet perfectly matches the green eyes of the girl. The tattered and soiled red scarf contrasts with that background thereby not only complimenting the girl’s green eyes but also making those eyes stand out, which entices viewers to the girl’s striking and piercing stare. In addition, McCurry uses the girl’s own torn out red scarf to frame her face, which provides more focus to her face and eyes. As McCurry has chosen to shoot the photograph in a low light area with soft overtones, it makes the girl’s eyes even more vibrant and brighter.

At the same time, the burned and ragged scarf and importantly her dirty and slightly wrinkled face reflect her difficult life. Although, some form of pre-print photo retouching was done, extensive work was not possible because of the lack of advanced technologies at that time. So, it is obvious that photo was effectively composed, both in terms of color and framing, through natural means and mainly because of the skills of the photographer. Although the contrasting colors and framing has created a sort of illusion, when viewed deeply it provides disturbing but at the same time stunning perspectives about her emotional side.

That is, when her dilapidated clothes and her haunting eyes are deeply focused, it seems her emotion at that time was a mixture of sullenness and courage. Although, the eyes are hypnotizing at first glance with repeated and deeper views, it reflects the pain and sufferings she has undergone at such a young age because of the political situation. She has lost both her parents because of the war and then had to traverse tough terrain in unkind climate with a constant fear being killed. She also had to hide in number of caves during her journey to save her life.

McCurry said the photo of her “summed up for me the trauma and plight, and the whole situation of suddenly having to flee your home and end up in refugee camp, hundreds of miles away” (“National Geographic Cover”). Despite such travails, her face and in particular her eyes were laced with a steely defiance. As stated in the National Geographic magazine, she belonged to the Pashtun tribe, considered to be one of the fiercest tribes in Afghanistan. So, it can be implied that her tribal background and tough upbringing could have made her to unconsciously reflect that hint of defiance and inner strength in the photograph.

Although, it is an extremely beautiful image of a young girl with effective color and framing composition, her dress, skin, and importantly eyes symbolize not only her pain but also her strength. Work Cited “National Geographic Cover Features Afghan Girl.” National Geographic, n. d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.