Charles O'Rear's Napa Valley Photo: Windows XP Wallpaper

Blades of Green

Microsoft's Windows XP operating system is known for many things. However, its lasting impact may be best summed up in a single image: a desktop wallpaper featuring a field of green grass and a clear blue sky. That image, “Bliss”, has become one of the most recognized photographs in the world. Microsoft paid $155,000–the second highest amount paid to a living photographer–to Charles O'Rear, a photographer from Napa Valley, California, for the rights to the photograph. The photos are a testament to how photography can change from a personal pastime to a globally viewed piece of art. Charles O'Rear, didn’t create it on assignment. He was driving to see his girlfriend when he drove by this scene. He wasn’t on assignment, but it was the perfect day. The winter rains had just ended with the grasses turning bright green. The sun was out, and there were some clouds. O'Rear knew the photograph's potential, so he stopped the car to snap the image that became the default wallpaper for a world-changing operating system. The vineyards are not the vineyards anymore.

Untold Value of a Yearly Wallpaper

The next time you see an unremarkable photograph as your wallpaper, know that it’s a decision that can have world-wide implications. The most famous desktop background ever had almost never come to be. "Bliss" is a photograph that exceeded the imagined value of digital wallpaper 2 decades ago. It has been seen by over 1 billion people since being released in 2001. The wallpaper has been spotted everywhere from the White House Situation Room to North Korean power plants. How did this happen? The photograph was picked up by Corbis, a stock photo website founded by Bill Gates, and then Microsoft, for a fee that was unprecedented for the time. Gates wanted the best image for the default Windows XP desktop wallpaper. They valued this image so highly that Microsoft said no shipping company could cover the insurance. O'Rear had to fly to Microsoft’s Seattle, where the company's technology and finance giants saw a simple photograph as a digital masterpiece.

An Opportunity in an Infestation

Napa Valley, known for its vineyards, was plagued by an infestation during the 1990s. This forced the removal of grapevines and their replacement by wildflowers and grass. O’Rear’s photographs of this unusually green landscape have an enchanting, nostalgic feel. Months of rainfall had refreshed the grass and trees, making the area look exceptionally vibrant. “It’s a perfect moment, it’s gone and you catch it,” O’Rear said in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Ride to Greatness

The photograph of the Napa Valley grass field was not taken on assignment. O’Rear was on his way to see his girlfriend when he “saw the shot” and stopped to take the photos. This change brought an unexpected revenue generator to the O’Rear photography portfolio. In essence, becoming a digital masterpiece. O’Rear was returning from a trip to visit his girlfriend, which is why he was in a car, driving through the picturesque Napa Valley. He was not on assignment, but even so, he was ready to snap an image of a scene that captivated him: “The sun was out, there were some clouds, and it was the right kind of day.” It turned out that the day was more than just right for him; the world would agree with him several years later.

The Role of Digital Platform

O’Rear's photo found success with the help of a digital platform. Corbis, a stock photo website, was a significant medium for the sale of the photo. Though Corbis was owned by Bill Gates, the photo was not a paid assignment. When Microsoft contacted O’Rear, he was on vacation in Mexico. He delivered the original negatives to Microsoft himself.

How to Create Art with a Digital Medium

Microsoft’s story about the default wallpaper is a great example of how a simple photograph can turn into something globally recognized. If you want to create a digital masterpiece, here are a few tips to consider:

Follow Your Instincts:

• Moment: “I wasn’t even on assignment when I saw the scene. I had to stop and take the photo,” O’Rear recalled in an interview. O’Rear was returning from a trip to visit his girlfriend, which is why he was in a car, driving through the picturesque Napa Valley. If you catch a moment, don’t hesitate to capture it. Go on the ride.
• Lighting: “It was the perfect day. The winter rains had just ended with the grasses turning bright green.” The special lighting and cloudy day were perfect for the iconic image. Even though you can edit photos, the natural quality and lighting of a photograph can rarely be replicated.

Keep It Simple

• Equipment: O’Rear used a Hasselblad 500C camera with a Carl Zeiss Distagon 50 mm f/4 lens. But the camera, however good, was secondary to O’Rear’s vision and skill. It’s easy to assume that the photographer is using some state-of-the-art equipment, but the simple gear is the most important.
• Editing and Post Production: He didn't edit the photos when he uploaded them to the Corbis website, which was later acquired by Gates for Bill Gates, who also founded Microsoft. Then the Microsoft technology team acquired his photos. He did not alter the image for the final submission.
• Keep It Simple: The photo was not edited when O’Rear uploaded it to the stock photo website, Corbis, founded by Bill Gates. That was the most important picture. Although you might be tempted to add filters and effects, the ease and simplicity of the photograph are part of its appeal.

Work and Opportunity

O’Rear’s photograph is a testament to the value of keeping your eyes open and staying ready to capture art in the wild. You could be driving, on vacation, or running errands, but the perfect shot can be around the bend. The world never would have gotten this photo, the second highest price photo paid to a living photographer, and Bill Gates never would have bought the Corbis website if O’Rear had not seen the opportunity in the vineyards. Keep it simple and follow your instincts. _Note*: The famous desktop background almost never came to be.

• Moments in Nature: Nature can provide endless opportunities for artists. Charles O'Rear spotted a scene by the side of the road. If you look up from your device, you might see the image of a lifetime.
• Keep Your Camera Ready: Don't let your equipment stop you from capturing an image. He didn't edit the photos when he uploaded them to the Corbis website.