In 1996, while on his way to visit his girlfriend, photographer Charles “Chuck” O’Rear stumbled upon a mesmerizing scene in California. Stopping amidst the rolling hills, he was captivated by the lighting after a storm and decided to capture the moment. Little did he know, this photograph, later dubbed “Bliss,” would become the most viewed computer wallpaper in the world, instantly recognizable to anyone who has used a Microsoft computer.
The unforgettable Windows XP wallpaper
Initially sold as a stock photo to Corbis, the image licensing company founded by Bill Gates in 1989, Bliss gained fame when it became the default desktop wallpaper for Windows XP in 2001. Since then, it is estimated to have been seen by over a billion people.
Many have speculated that the image’s perfection must be a result of digital manipulation. However, O’Rear insists that the stunning composition is simply a product of good equipment, timing, and weather. He credits the brilliant colors to the Fuji Film he used at the time and the remarkable lenses of the RZ67 camera.
Shiftdelete.netToday, O’Rear resides in Napa Valley, not far from where Bliss was captured. He was prepared to take the photo due to the region’s weather patterns, which often cause increased rainfall, turning the hills a vibrant shade of green.
In 1996, O’Rear would drive to see his girlfriend near San Francisco every Friday afternoon, always keeping his photography kit in the car just in case. One fateful January day, he encountered the perfect scene and pulled over to set up his equipment. While the clouds were constantly moving, he felt confident he had secured a beautiful shot.
Microsoft evidently agreed, as they contacted O’Rear’s agent to purchase the rights to the image. The price they offered was so high that no courier would take on the responsibility of shipping the original photograph. As a result, Microsoft paid for O’Rear to personally deliver the physical image.
Reflecting on the photo’s impact, O’Rear admits he had no idea where the image would end up. He has since seen Bliss featured in the background of news reports at the White House and during interviews at the Kremlin.
The journey of Bliss, from the rain-soaked hills of California to a global audience, is a testament to the power of a serendipitous moment captured on a rainy day.
