Famous Photos of the World

There are numerous photos I would love to include in this list but to give readers a snapshot of my favourites; I have chosen just four works of art to illustrate four different reasons why these photos captured my imagination. Here I will share with you my thoughts on the genius behind these inspired photographs, which continue to rock the world decades later.

1878: Sallie Gardner at a Gallop by Eadweard Muybridge

In my mind, this photo is not so much an image of outstanding beauty, but more of a trophy for the success of an experiment issued by Professor Leland Stanford, who set photographer Eadweard Muybridge the task of discovering whether, at any time during the full speed gallop of a horse; all four of the horse’s legs are lifted off the ground.

In order to display the images correctly, Muybridge used a spinning wheel, which was widely regarded to be the first ever usage of motion picture.

It is the challenge and intrigue of Professor Stanford and Mr Muybridge behind the photo, as well as the advent of the spinning wheel display, that, for me, this photo remains one of my all time favourites.

1932: Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper by Charles C Ebbets

With stunning imagery, the staggering feat of taking lunch while suspended in the New York skyline, and a beautiful display of camaraderie between workers, this photo by Charles C Ebbets was destined for success.

However, the photographer, who took the photo while on the 69^th floor of the GE building in New York, was unknown as the artist behind the image until 2003.

The reason I have chosen to include this well known photo in my list is for a very different reason however. Despite the incredible image so deftly caught on camera, I can’t help but feel a little sick every time I look at the photo and consider the potential consequences of such a situation! That in itself is no mean feat for a photographer.

1945: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by Joe Rosenthal

Taken on the island of Iwo Jima near to the end of the Second World War, this Pulitzer Prize winning photo is an iconic symbol of the struggle of war, and particularly poignant as only some of the men in the photo survived the battlefield that day.

The effort, teamwork and ultimate sacrifice of some of the soldiers in the photo is a symbol of ultimate patriotism, and has thus been rewarded with a proud place in the annals of history.

Surprisingly, the photographer was preparing to take another shot with the marines below the flag, but quickly saw the opportunity and snapped the photo without even looking through the view finder. It’s groundbreaking but fleeting moments like these, that as a photographer, I have always dreamed of capturing.

1968: Earthrise by William Anders

This incredible image was taken on the Apollo 8 mission and broke a world record for being the first photo of the whole earth from space. More than this, it is said that this photo inspired a generation of environmentalists who, thanks to William Anders, witnessed the sheer beauty of the world and were driven to maintain it.

It really is an awe-inspiring photo, and while I don’t envision capturing a photo of that magnitude in my own career, the power of one photo to motivate a community towards a good cause is definitely a noble aspiration.