An Image re-defined. The story behind Steve McCurry's "The Afghan Girl"

[Mira]

We all know the photo
in the video clip the photographer tells the story behind the photograph, and the one that was almost chosen in it's stead (I ALMOST like it better)
4 min well worth listening to, after the ad

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp=532531691#53254088

[NV Whino]

1. National Geo did a story on his search for her 17 years after the first photograph

He recreated the shot, but it lacked the clarity of the haunted eyes. Which is not to say it was bad or even mediocre, but it didn't have the emotional impact of the first shot.

To me this shot defines portrait. And would most certainly fit in with our "tell me a story" theme this month.

[Stevenmarc]

2. Interesting

I'd love to hear the editors side of the story because while both are beautiful shots I can't see how it was close.

When I look at the shot that didn't make it I see a technically beautiful shot of a girl with her face covered, incredible eyes and hard working third world hands. However, the one that won out,and rightfully so, has this amazing duality to it, an uncovered face of a girl with piercing eyes that transcends the typical NG shot and moves into Vogue territory but you still see someone who's life is far from easy without having to be visually hit over the head with dirty fingernails.

I have to add that it's one of those shots that you should make an effort to see a physical print of.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Thanks, that is a good story

And he has the eye.

[Xipe Totec]

4. What has always struck me is the colors

How the color of her eyes match the color of her clothes peeking though the tears in her shawl.

And how the blue, green, and brown in her eyes seem to be at war with each other.

[Mira]

5. Every now and then, in my life,

I have run across a person with that color eyes. Each time I was struck dumb, but usually not mute. I tell them about the Afghan girl with the eyes that seem to have few equals.
Usually they are light skinned black men.
Once a small coffee colored boy.

[Xipe Totec]

6. Morenos de ojos verdes, in Spanish parlance

Green-eyed Moors.

Rare and beautiful.

[Mira]

8. Thanks

very interesting. I'm glad to know that.

[alfredo]

7. I think they made a wise choice with that image.

[DrDan]

9. Had a chance to see, hear, and chat with Steve a couple years back. Happened to have that

copy of the NG which he autographed.

Nice guy - and what a great photo that is. It just made the cover of the Oct issue as well.

[Mira]

10. That's a treasure. It would be to me, and it sounds

like you know it, too.
Very nice. Thanks for telling us.

[DrDan]

11. it certainly is!

In this day where athletes, politicians, and other pseudo-celebrities garner all the press, it is good to know there are true artists around. And good to see them get some publicity and be recognized for their works.

It is a beautiful picture. We can read so much of the difficulties of her life through the beauty of that face and those eyes.