Chuck O'Rear, the man behind the world's most-viewed photo, has recently shared amazing insights into the creation of his iconic image.
Taken back in 1996 during a routine journey through California, the photo, titled "Bliss," became the default desktop wallpaper for Windows XP.
Windows XP default wallpaper taken by Chuck O'Rear
Chuck O'Rear, 81 years old, the photographer behind the Windows XP default wallpaper, captured an image that would become iconic of the operating system.
He took the photo in 1996 during a trip through California, and he titled the photo "Bliss."
O'Rear shared that he always carries a camera with him so he can capture every wonderful moment.
The photo displays a serene and vibrant landscape of rolling green hills under a clear blue sky. The photo has become recognizable and is considered the most-viewed photo in the world.
The Bliss photo was coincidentally acquired by Microsoft, run by Bill Gates.
In 1998, Microsoft, run by Bill Gates, acquired photo hosting company Westlight and used the famous photo of Chuck O'Rear as the default wallpaper on Windows XP, the image that people always see first when opening their Windows computers.
At first glance, most people think that the photo was created by AI or photoshopped. However, the Bliss photo was taken with a Mamiya RZ67 camera with a Fuji Film filter and a tripod.
Chuck O'Rear explained that he chose Fuji Film, known for its vibrant colors, and utilized the remarkable lenses of the Mamiya RZ67 camera.
O'Rear believes that the combination of the camera's size and the film's characteristics played a significant role in making the image stand out.
He suggests that if he had used a 35-millimeter camera instead, the impact of the photograph would not have been nearly as profound.
The mysterious price of the world's most-viewed photo that was taken by Chuck O'Rear
Despite being the most famous photo in the world, Bliss's true price has not been revealed. However, it is rumored that Chuck O'Rear was paid over $100,000 for the Bliss photo.
The process of trading the Bliss photo with Microsoft was not an easy thing either.
O'Rear said he had to personally go to Microsoft's Seattle office to hand-deliver the photo of Bliss to them.
He was also paid more for his photo which was rumored to be around $100,000.
Chuck O'Rear is now in his 26th year working as a professional photographer for National Geographic.
The owner of the world's most-viewed photo revealed that, even though many years have passed, he still receives emails every week related to 'Bliss photo'.
