The Story behind the Windows XP Background - "Bliss"

[Curtieson]

I thought this was a great little story, I was one that fit SQUARLY into the "it must be photoshopped" camp...so I am actually really excited to hear that it was legit. I do agree that it is one of the most iconic photographs of our generation.

The story behind the wallpaper we'll never forget - YouTube

Charles O'Rear is the photographer who took Bliss, the image that became the desktop of every single Windows XP computer in the world. Billions saw it and probably think the photo is so perfect and colorful that it is computer generated?or at least Photoshopped. O'Rear reveals the origin of the photo in this video.

 

[jmshub]

I read the story somewhere before, but it's still a good one. Thanks for the video!

 

[Guytronic]

Hey thank you for this!!

Absolutely fascinating to me.
I have never seen this before right now.

A small nuance that was so taken for granted.
I still see serious photographers at places like Yosemite or on the coast using the large format cameras for those eye popping shots.

Digital photography in some cases wants to emulate film right out of the processor.
Actually very hard to do without great expense and glass.

 

[Curtieson]

I only wished I had watched this before my recent trip to San Fran. I am not sure I could have gotten the wife on board with making a special drive to see this location, but I'd get a big kick out of pulling off the road and seeing the XP Hill in person

 

[jmshub]

Paul Thurrott wrote the article I recall where he talked about this background pic. http://winsupersite.com/windows-xp/story-behind-windows-xp-bliss-background