Topic 4 - Reading Photographs - Discussion

Consider these two examples of different Afghan women who are of a similar age.

Write a short post in the forum below (maximum 200 words) reflecting on how you read these two images. What are their similarities and how do they differ? You are free to research further before considering your response. You should also take into account the different dates, the photographers and the titles used here.

I’m reading this image from a white, middle class, male perspective. I have seen both images before and understand that they both come from times of conflict in Afghanistan. The first during a civil war, the second during the Allied invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Due to the wide exposure of McCurry’s image, I think that we conclude both are of young women and draw similarities between the clothing they wear.

McCurry’s image seems to be of a younger person whose clothing appears to be damaged and could reference the conflict in the country at the time. There appears to be fear in her eyes and a look of distrust on her face. This could be attributed to the conflict but could also relate the fact she is being photographed by a white, western man who may not have taken the time to understand her situation or the consequences of being photographed. This differs from Bieber’s photograph, she writes about her experience on her website:

‘Aisha, the social worker, my translator and I were in a non decript [sic] room. At a certain point I felt it was becoming a bit stressful for Aisha. I decided to put my camera down and poke with her through my translater – women to women.’ (JBieber, 2015)

With this understanding about how the photograph was created, with the care given to the subject, I think it is possible to read a more relaxed expression in the face of Bibi Aisha. This is also reinforced by the fact that her name has been used as the title, rather than a generic description of national identity and gender.

JBieber (2015). Aisha - jodi bieber. [online] jodi bieber. Available at: https://www.jodibieber.com/aisha/ [Accessed 16 Oct. 2023].