California:Among billions of images shared daily, one photo stands apart as the most viewed in human history — the iconic “Bliss” wallpaper from Microsoft’s Windows XP. Captured in 1996 by seasoned photographer Charles O’Rear, this serene landscape shot was taken in California’s picturesque Sonoma County.
Now in his eighties, O’Rear recalls how he always kept his camera close, ready to capture unexpected moments of natural beauty. Using a Mamiya RZ67 camera paired with Fuji color film, he snapped what would become an everlasting symbol of digital imagery.
Initially released as a stock photograph in 1998, the image was purchased by Corbis, a company owned by Bill Gates. Two years later, Microsoft acquired the full rights and selected it as the default wallpaper for Windows XP — a choice that led to billions worldwide seeing this breathtaking scene on their screens.
The photo’s value was so high that courier companies refused to transport the film due to its precious nature, prompting Microsoft to fly O’Rear in person to deliver it. Despite widespread disbelief that the image could be a simple photograph — many assuming it’s digitally altered — it remains a pure, untouched capture of nature’s tranquility.
“Bliss” has not only become a cultural icon but a reminder of how a single moment, frozen in time, can reach and inspire the world.
