Danielle McCarthy
Art

Meet the 76-year-old man behind the most viewed photo in history

Some estimates say that the Windows XP’s wallpaper has been seen by 1 billion people, making it the most viewed photograph in the world.

In 1996, Charles O’Rear, on the way to visit his girlfriend, captured the iconic wallpaper “Bliss” in Sonoma County, California.

The 76-year-old man behind the image is now producing “the next generation of wallpapers” and they look just as stunning.

Now, his new projected called New Angles of America is wallpapers targeted for smartphone users.

“I am thrilled to create for Lufthansa a sequel to the “Bliss” photo on smartphones so that my views of other beautiful places can continue to be enjoyed by millions of people. After all, smartphones have become the primary place for the world to see new and interesting photography. And, I’m glad to be part of it.”

“I am turning 76 and realise how much the Microsoft Bliss photograph has meant to my life. As the photographer of the most viewed photo in history, I have enjoyed every minute of the fame.”

Scroll through the gallery above to see his latest images.

Do you have the “Bliss” photo as your wallpaper? Let us know in the comments below.

Image credit: Lufthansa

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history, photo, windows, man, Most, behind, meet, 76-year-old, viewed, wallpaper, Bliss