A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan

From 1994 to 2006, Seamus Murphy photographed Afghanistan as it transformed from civil-war battleground and home of a "forgotten war" to frontier outpost for foreign troops, capturing both the devastating effects of the Taliban regime and the people that live amidst the savageries of war.

In his book A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan, Murphy's images reflect the darkness of a country that seem to be in a perpetual state of devastation, with intimate portraits of Northern Alliance members and the legendary Mujahideen resistance fighter, Ahmad Shah Massoud, assassinated by suicide bombers in 2001. But his images also illuminate the vibrant culture and lives of the Afghan people. "It's nice to show Afghanistan as a real place, not just a place of war and victims, and no hope," said Murphy.

In this audio slideshow, Murphy describes some of the people he encountered in Afghanistan, and shares the stories behind some of his stunning images.

Produced by Stephanie Valera, Asia Society Online

Seamus Murphy has won six World Press Photo Awards. Photographs from A Darkness Visible are on exhibit from October 20 - November 22, 2009 at the VII Gallery in Brooklyn, NY. Buy A Darkness Visible at AsiaStore.

Mental Math | 06:26:10 03:11pm

I think this is just a place that knows war like no other country. I feel like these people just want to be left alone but they keep getting tormented by wars.

john | 02:04:10 06:43pm

When you look hard for the beauty, you can find it, even in the darkest places.

London ontario real estate | 02:04:10 02:07pm

The pictures are magnificent. In particular, I found the 'Ahmad Shah Massoud' photo the most intriguing. Bordered by darkness, and illuminated by a tiny window of light, we see his half profile with a half doubtful and half hopeful expression. What is he looking out at, one wonders. Seamus Murphy truly captured the essence of Afghanistan in his images.

Spa in Toronto | 02:02:10 01:32am

These are amazing photos. Seamus Murphy is an extremely skilled photographer. I truly hope that Afghanistan will soon stabilize so the local population can live in peace.

geo tv | 02:01:10 12:05pm

This is a very beautiful presentation by Seamus Murphy, he depicted a story of Afghanistan in these pictures. He did a very good job. Thanks you very much for sharing this stuff.

teen blog | 01:28:10 01:18pm

An incredible collection of photos. It's such a shame that such a beautiful country is being ravaged by war.

Alex De Souza | 01:11:10 10:35am

Beautiful, provocative haunting

PDF BOOKS | 01:05:10 06:20pm

An amazing slide show containing rare pictures depicting stunning stories of afghanistan.

Indranila | 11:08:09 06:42pm

I think it's the narration which gives these beautiful photographs that special touch. Without it, the images would be incomplete. Together, they make a brilliant slideshow indeed.

Brittany | 11:06:09 10:20pm

Great slideshow! That last image of the woman in the burqa is beautiful. And I love what Mr. Murphy said about that image... that it somehow reflects everything about Afganistan: isolated, secretive, but strong and beautiful.