Bliss (Photograph)

# Bliss (photograph) Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)) Bliss[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bliss_(Windows_XP).png)The*Bliss*wallpaper [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Napa_County_California_Location_Map.png)  Photograph location Artist[Charles O'Rear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_O%27Rear)YearJanuary 1996Medium[Landscape photography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landscape_photography)Location[Sonoma County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_County), California, United States[38°15′00\.5″N122°24′38\.9″W/38\.250139°N 122\.410806°W](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Bliss_(photograph)&params=38_15_00.5_N_122_24_38.9_W_region:NL_type:landmark)Owner[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)***Bliss***, originally titled***Bucolic Green Hills***, is the default[wallpaper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallpaper_(computing))of[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)'s[Windows XP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP)operating system\. It is a photograph of green[rolling hills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_hill)and daytime sky with[cirrus clouds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_clouds)\.[Charles O'Rear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_O%27Rear), a former*[National Geographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geographic)*photographer, took the photo in January 1996 near the[Napa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_County,_California)–[Sonoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_County,_California)county line, California, after a[phylloxera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylloxera)infestation forced[vineyards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vineyard)to be cleared from the hill years prior\. He used a[Mamiya RZ67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_RZ67)camera and[Fujifilm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm)'s[Velvia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvia)film to create the photograph; O'Rear remarked that he did not enhance or manipulate the photograph\. Initially a[stock photo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_photo)available through his photo agency Westlight that was acquired by[Bill Gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates)'[Corbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbis_(company))in 1998, Microsoft obtained full rights of the photograph in 2000 and then used it to promote Windows XP\.*Bliss*received positive reception from reviewers, and has been speculated to be the most viewed photograph in history by Microsoft and journalists\. Microsoft has reused the photograph in several promotions since the release of Windows XP\. Photographers have attempted to re\-create the iconic image, but the rolling hill has since become a vineyard again\. [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_O%27Rear,_full.jpg)[Charles O'Rear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_O%27Rear)\(pictured in 2007\) is the photographer of*Bliss*\.The photograph depicts a lush green[rolling hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_hill)with[cirrus clouds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_cloud)during a daytime sky, with mountains far in the background\.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Taylor-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)It was taken by[Charles O'Rear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_O%27Rear), a former*[National Geographic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geographic)*photographer and resident of[St\. Helena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Helena,_California), California, in the[Napa Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_Valley)region north of San Francisco, while on his way to visit his girlfriend in January 1996\.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Kahl-3)He drove along the Sonoma Highway,[California State Route 121](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_121)intersecting[12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_12), when he noticed the hill, which had been cleared of[vineyards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vineyard)after a[phylloxera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylloxera)infestation years prior\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Hachman-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)O'Rear came to a stop in southern[Sonoma County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_County),[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-7)near the[Napa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_County,_California)–Sonoma county line and pulled off the road\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Freedman-8) O'Rear recalled that he was alert for a photo opportunity the day he took the photograph, considering that a storm had passed over and winter rains left the hills green\.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Taylor-1)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 1:10"There it was\! My God, the grass is perfect\! It's green\! The sun is out; there's some clouds," he remembered thinking\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 1:24He took four shots and got back into his truck\.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Freedman-8)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 2:10 O'Rear used a[Mamiya RZ67](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_RZ67)medium\-format camera on a tripod and Fujifilm's[Velvia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvia)color film that saturated green and blue colors\.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 2:29He credited the combination and said that if he had shot with[35 mm film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/135_film), it would not have had an identical result\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 2:40O'Rear later recollected that he had previously attempted to capture the Napa Valley hills with the[Kodachrome 64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome)film, but was dissatisfied due to the unsaturated greens\.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Savvides-10)Despite being widely believed that the photograph was manipulated or created with software such as[Adobe Photoshop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Photoshop), O'Rear said that he did not digitally enhance or manipulate the photograph in any way\.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Taylor-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11) After creating the photograph, O'Rear made it available as a[stock photo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_photo)through Westlight, a photo agency he co\-founded\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Rooke-12)[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-13)Westlight was bought by[Seattle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle)\-based[Corbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbis_(company))\(now[BENlabs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BENlabs)\) in May 1998, who digitized its best\-selling images\.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Pickerell-14)[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-15)By the time of its acquisition, Westlight was estimated to have been one of the largest stock photo companies in the United States\.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Pickerell-14)He also submitted a vertical shot, which was available at the same time\.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-16)The photograph was originally titled*Bucolic Green Hills*\.[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-17) In 2000,[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)'s[Windows XP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP)development team contacted O'Rear through Corbis,[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 3:50which he believes they used instead of their larger competitor[Getty Images](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getty_Images), also based in Seattle, because the former company was owned by Microsoft co\-founder[Bill Gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates)\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Hachman-5)[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-18)"I have no idea what \[they\] were looking for," he recalled\. "Were they looking for an image that was peaceful? Were they looking for an image that had no tension?"[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 2:54He said that he was unsure how Microsoft found the photograph\.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Savvides-10)Microsoft chose the image because "it illustrates the experiences Microsoft strives to provide customers \(freedom, possibility, calmness, warmth, etc\.\)", and the design ideas of Windows XP\.[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-19)[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Gupta-Nigam-20): 816XP marketing also used photos of hills and clouds,[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-21)but the Microsoft branding team "wanted an image with ‘more grounding’ than the images of skies they had used in Windows 95\. Also, the green grass and the blue sky fit perfectly with the two main colors in the branding scheme\."[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)Another image of O'Rear's, known as*Red Moon Desert*in Windows XP, was also considered to be the default wallpaper, but was changed due to[testers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_testing)comparing it to buttocks\.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-22)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Ridley-23) Microsoft said they wanted not just to license the image for use as Windows XP's default[wallpaper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallpaper_(computing)), but to buy all the rights to it\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 3:37[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-24)They offered O'Rear what he says is the second\-largest payment ever made to a photographer for a single image; however, he signed a[confidentiality agreement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidentiality_agreement)and cannot disclose the exact amount\.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Heisler-25)It has been reported to be "in the low six figures\."[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)O'Rear needed to send Microsoft the original film and sign the paperwork; however, when couriers and delivery services became aware of the value of the shipment, they declined since it was higher than their insurance would cover\. Instead, Microsoft bought O'Rear a plane ticket and he personally delivered it to their offices in Seattle\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 3:57"I don't think the engineers or anybody at Microsoft had any idea it would have the success it had," he said\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 4:40After the rights to the photograph were bought by Microsoft, it was renamed*Bliss*and was chosen as the default wallpaper of the[Luna visual style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_visual_styles#Luna),[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-The_Times_of_India-26)the default[graphical user interface](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface)of Windows XP\.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-27)The image was used extensively by Microsoft for promoting Windows XP and their $200 million advertising campaign\.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Marek-28) Since the origins of*Bliss*were not widely known after the release of Windows XP, there had been considerable speculation about where the landscape was\. Some guesses have included locations in France, Ireland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, and southeast Washington\.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11)[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Marek-28)[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-29)Dutch users believed the photograph was shot in Ireland since the image was named "Ireland" in the Dutch release of the software\.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-30)O'Rear said that Microsoft also questioned him about the authenticity of the photograph several years after the release of Windows XP, with the developers saying that "most of us think it was Photoshopped\."[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Hachman-5)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Savvides-10)O'Rear is adamant that, other than Corbis' minor alterations to the digitized version, he did nothing to it in the[darkroom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkroom), contrasting it with[Ansel Adams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams)'*[Monolith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolith,_the_Face_of_Half_Dome)*: > I didn't "create" this\. I just happened to be there at the right moment and documented it\. If you are Ansel Adams and you take a particular picture of[Half Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Dome)and want the light a certain way, you manipulate the light\. He was famous for going into the darkroom and[burning and dodging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_and_dodging)\. Well, this is none of that\.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11) The photograph was positively received\.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Gupta-Nigam-20): 818David Clark of the British magazine*[Amateur Photographer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_Photographer)*commented on the aesthetic qualities of*Bliss*, saying that "critics might argue that the image is bland and lacks a point of interest, while supporters would say that its evocation of a bright, clear day in a beautiful landscape is itself the subject\." He described the landscape as having surreal features and speculated that it was chosen by Microsoft because of its appeal and landscape\.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)Writing for*[Digital Camera World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_US)*, Hannah Rooke said that*Bliss*became a metaphor for peace, nostalgia, and natural charm\.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Rooke-12)[Wayne Freedman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Freedman)of*[ABC7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGO-TV)*called it the contemporary version of Adams's*Monolith*photograph\.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Freedman-8)Observing the sky in the photograph, cultural anthropologist Katrien Pype referred to it as "almost perfect\."[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-31) In a journal,[Pedagogical University of Kraków](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogical_University_of_Krak%C3%B3w)professor Marcin Kania referred to*Bliss*as "one of the most recognizable contemporary landscape photographs\."[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-32)Jacob Ridley of*[PC Gamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Gamer)*described*Bliss*as the "wallpaper that defines \[all\] Windows wallpapers,"[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Ridley-23)while Adrienne Vogt of*[Bustle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bustle_(magazine))*said that the photograph became omnipresent with Microsoft\.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-33)Writing for*[Sonoma Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_Magazine)*, Meg McConahey added that a[cult following](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_following)emerged around the photograph\.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-34)Shortly before Microsoft retired Windows XP in April 2014,[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Luckerson-35)news about the*Bliss*photograph escalated in popularity\.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Gupta-Nigam-20): 816 [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_plaque_marking_the_location_of_the_iconic_Bliss_photograph_(cropped).jpg)Today, a plaque marks the location of O'Rear's original image\.Due to the market success of Windows XP over the next decade,[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Clark-2)Microsoft and some journalists speculated that it might be the most viewed photograph in history\.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 0:02[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Heisler-25)[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-The_Times_of_India-26)Cynthia Sweeney of*[Napa Valley Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_Valley_Register)*estimated that the photograph has been seen by billions of people,[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Sweeney-4)while O'Rear estimated that*Bliss*has been seen on a billion computers worldwide, based on the number of copies of Windows XP sold since then\.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11)Regarding the one\-billion estimation, he said that it is "an educated guess rather than a fully\-accounted\-for statistic\."[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-The_Times_of_India-26) After the release of Windows XP, Microsoft used*Bliss*in several promotions\. In December 2001, a[screensaver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screensaver)featuring*Bliss*was released,[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-36)while in July 2021, a modified version of the photograph was added to[Microsoft Teams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Teams)as a background\. They wrote that the modified version "shifted the shadows, softened the clouds, and added some dandelions\."[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-37)Microsoft later released a[4K resolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4K_resolution)rendering of the background on their Microsoft Design website in June 2023\.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-38)A limited\-edition[holiday sweater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_jumper)featuring*Bliss*was made available by Microsoft in November 2023 at the Xbox Gear Shop\.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-39)The sales of the sweater were donated to[The Nature Conservancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nature_Conservancy)to combat[climate change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change)\.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-40)In August 2025, Microsoft released limited edition versions of Crocs featuring*Bliss*\.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-41) O'Rear conceded that despite all the other photographs he took for*National Geographic*, he will probably be remembered most for*Bliss*\.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11)"Anybody now from age 15 on for the rest of their life will remember this photograph," he said in 2014\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 5:33O'Rear framed a photograph of*Bliss*in his home\.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-42)After the release of[Windows 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7)in 2009, O'Rear said that if asked, he would have provided more photographs to Microsoft\.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Younger-11)Prior to Microsoft retiring[Windows XP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP)in 2014, O'Rear was interviewed by them about the history of the photograph\.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Taylor-1)[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Luckerson-35)In the interview, he said that he had hoped Microsoft would have contacted him for a[Windows 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8)wallpaper photograph\.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Microsoft-9): 8:26In a separate interview for*[The Sydney Morning Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*, O'Rear said that he regretted the deal he negotiated with Microsoft and wished that he had opted for a "fraction of a cent for every time it's seen" deal instead\.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-43) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bliss_location,_Sonoma_Valley_in_2006.jpg)*Bliss*re\-creation by[Goldin\+Senneby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldin%2BSenneby)in November 2006, then covered by a vineyardBefore the photograph was bought by Microsoft in 2000, the hill returned to its previous state as a home to vineyards\.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Rooke-12)[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Goldin+Senneby-44)Despite this, photographers have tried re\-creating*Bliss*\. The[Goldin\+Senneby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldin%2BSenneby)duo visited the site in Sonoma Valley in November 2006, where*Bliss*was taken, re\-photographing the same view now full of grapevines\.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Gupta-Nigam-20): 832Their work, titled*After Microsoft*, was created when the Luna theme was replaced by[Aero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero)in[Windows Vista](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista)and also discussed the history of the photograph and its legacy after the phasing out of Windows XP's default theme\.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-45)[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-46)The duo said that they were attracted to the*Bliss*location due to it being "a backdrop to our lives in the front of the screen, as a kind of collective subconscious\."[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Cain-6)Their work was exhibited at the gallery La Vitrine in Paris in 2007\.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Goldin+Senneby-44)Art historian Julian Myers\-Szupinska said that with the return of vineyards, the Goldin\+Senneby*Bliss*re\-creation "loses its shine\."[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_note-Gupta-Nigam-20): 832 - [List of photographs considered the most important](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographs_considered_the_most_important) - [Frutiger Aero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frutiger_Aero)– Design style and Internet aesthetic 1. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Taylor_1-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Taylor_1-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Taylor_1-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Taylor_1-3)Taylor, Victoria \(April 12, 2014\)\.["The Story Behind the Famous Windows XP 'Bliss' Wallpaper"](http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/bliss-photog-shares-story-famous-windows-xp-image-article-1.1754436)\.*[New York Daily News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Daily_News)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171227212048/http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/bliss-photog-shares-story-famous-windows-xp-image-article-1.1754436)from the original on December 27, 2017\. RetrievedApril 12,2014\. 2. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-4)[***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-5)[***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Clark_2-6)Clark, David \(May 28, 2012\)\.["Bliss by Charles O'Rear – Iconic Photograph"](http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/iconic-images/bliss-by-charles-orear-iconic-photograph-13083)\.*[Amateur Photographer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_Photographer)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150109070022/http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/iconic-images/bliss-by-charles-orear-iconic-photograph-13083)from the original on January 9, 2015\. RetrievedMay 12,2013\. 3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Kahl_3-0)**Kahl, Amelie \(September 26, 2023\)\.["Bliss: A Look Into the Origin of Bliss"](https://www.sleek-mag.com/article/bliss/)\.*Sleek Magazine*\. RetrievedJune 2,2025\.People are still flooding my inbox because of a picture I took in 1996\. 4. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-4)[***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-5)[***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-6)[***h***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-7)[***i***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Sweeney_4-8)Sweeney, Cynthia \(March 26, 2014\)\.["Say Goodbye to 'Bliss'"](https://napavalleyregister.com/star/lifestyles/say-goodbye-to-bliss/article_2c485132-b504-11e3-85ef-0019bb2963f4.html)\.*[Napa Valley Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_Valley_Register)*\. RetrievedApril 12,2014\.`\{\{cite news\}\}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service \([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)\) 5. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Hachman_5-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Hachman_5-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Hachman_5-2)Hachman, Mark \(October 25, 2021\) \[2014\]\.["The Story of the Windows XP 'Bliss' Desktop Theme—and What It Looks Like Today"](https://www.pcworld.com/article/444752/the-story-behind-the-windows-xp-bliss-photo-and-what-it-looks-like-today.html)\.*[PC World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_World)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240917070351/https://www.pcworld.com/article/444752/the-story-behind-the-windows-xp-bliss-photo-and-what-it-looks-like-today.html)from the original on September 17, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 6. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-4)[***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Cain_6-5)Cain, Abigail \(July 3, 2017\)\.["The Story Behind the World's Most Famous Desktop Background"](https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-story-worlds-famous-desktop-background)\.*[Artsy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artsy)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240713201417/https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-story-worlds-famous-desktop-background)from the original on July 13, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-7)**Newman, Lily Hay \(April 11, 2014\)\.["The Most Famous Desktop Wallpaper Ever Is a Real, Unaltered Photo"](https://slate.com/technology/2014/04/charles-o-rear-is-the-photographer-who-took-the-windows-xp-wallpaper-photo-in-napa-valley.html)\.*[Slate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_(magazine))*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241001001652/https://slate.com/technology/2014/04/charles-o-rear-is-the-photographer-who-took-the-windows-xp-wallpaper-photo-in-napa-valley.html)from the original on October 1, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 8. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Freedman_8-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Freedman_8-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Freedman_8-2)[Freedman, Wayne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Freedman)\(April 7, 2014\)\.["Windows XP Background Is Photo of Sonoma Hillside"](https://abc7news.com/windows-xp-operating-system-microsoft-bliss-background-sonoma-county-hillside/24994/)\.*[ABC7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGO-TV)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140412235453/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Ftechnology&id=9495694)from the original on April 12, 2014\. RetrievedApril 12,2014\. 9. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-4)[***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-5)[***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-6)[***h***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-7)[***i***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-8)[***j***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-9)[***k***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-10)[***l***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-11)[***m***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Microsoft_9-12)[*The Story Behind the Wallpaper We'll Never Forget*](https://archive.org/details/the-story-behind-the-wallpaper-well-never-forget)\(Video\)\.[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)\. 2014\. RetrievedSeptember 17,2024– via[Internet Archive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Archive)\. 10. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Savvides_10-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Savvides_10-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Savvides_10-2)Savvides, Lexy \(March 30, 2014\)\.["It's Bliss: Behind the Iconic Windows XP Photo"](https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/its-bliss-behind-the-iconic-windows-xp-photo/)\.*[CNET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNET)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240811142046/https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/its-bliss-behind-the-iconic-windows-xp-photo/)from the original on August 11, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 11. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-4)[***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-5)[***g***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Younger_11-6)Younger, Carolyn \(January 18, 2010\)\.["Windows XP Desktop Screen Is a Napa Image"](https://www.napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_7703c8b2-03e9-11df-bb34-001cc4c03286.html)\.*[Napa Valley Register](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napa_Valley_Register)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100914081747/http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_7703c8b2-03e9-11df-bb34-001cc4c03286.html)from the original on September 14, 2010\. RetrievedJanuary 18,2010\. 12. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Rooke_12-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Rooke_12-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Rooke_12-2)Rooke, Hannah \(August 7, 2023\)\.["Have You Seen the "Most Viewed Photo Ever"?"](https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/have-you-seen-the-most-viewed-photo-ever)\.*[Digital Camera World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_US)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241008234433/https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/have-you-seen-the-most-viewed-photo-ever)from the original on October 8, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-13)**Lachnit, Carroll \(January 1999\)\.["Agencies Cast for Consumers"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/202873018)\.*[Photo District News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_District_News)*\. Vol\. 19, no\. 1\. pp\.43–46\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[1045\-8158](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1045-8158)\.[ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest)[202873018](https://www.proquest.com/docview/202873018)\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\.`\{\{cite news\}\}`: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service \([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)\) 14. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Pickerell_14-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Pickerell_14-1)Pickerell, Jim \(May 20, 1998\)\.["Corbis Acquires Westlight"](http://www.selling-stock.com/Article/corbis-acquires-westlight)\.*Selling Stock*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200809132805/https://www.selling-stock.com/Article/corbis-acquires-westlight)from the original on August 9, 2020\. RetrievedFebruary 23,2020\. 15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-15)**Karon, Paul \(July 16, 1998\)\.["Corbis Buys Outline Press"](https://variety.com/1998/digital/news/corbis-buys-outline-press-1117478502/)\.*[Variety](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_(magazine))*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240917131147/https://variety.com/1998/digital/news/corbis-buys-outline-press-1117478502/)from the original on September 17, 2024\. RetrievedSeptember 17,2024\. 16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-16)**[*Corbis Westlight Creative Freedom*](https://archive.org/details/CorbisWestlightCreativeFreedom1998)\(CD\-ROM\)\.[Corbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbis_(company))\. 1998\.Images: 71810\.jpg \(*Bliss*\) and 71811\.jpg \(vertical\) 17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-17)**[O'Rear, Charles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Rear,_Charles)\(2000\)\. Bliss\.jpg \([Windows XP Beta 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Whistler)\)\.[Corbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbis_(company)),[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)\. Headline:*Bucolic Green Hills*\. 18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-18)**Popa, Bogdan \(April 11, 2014\)\.["Microsoft Creates Short Documentary About Windows XP 'Bliss' Wallpaper"](http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Creates-Short-Documentary-About-Windows-XP-Bliss-Wallpaper-Video-437190.shtml)\.*[Softpedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softpedia)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140414092713/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Creates-Short-Documentary-About-Windows-XP-Bliss-Wallpaper-Video-437190.shtml)from the original on April 14, 2014\. RetrievedApril 17,2014\. 19. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-19)**Turner, Paul \(February 22, 2004\)\.["No View of Palouse from Windows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110511110350/http://spokesmanreview.com/pf.asp?date=022204&ID=s1490284)\.*[The Spokesman\-Review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spokesman-Review)*\. Archived from[the original](http://spokesmanreview.com/pf.asp?date=022204&ID=s1490284)on May 11, 2011\. RetrievedSeptember 19,2012\. 20. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Gupta-Nigam_20-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Gupta-Nigam_20-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Gupta-Nigam_20-2)[***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Gupta-Nigam_20-3)[***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Gupta-Nigam_20-4)Gupta\-Nigam, Anirban \(July 2021\)\. "After Bliss: Visual Infrastructures of Technostalgia"\.*Theory & Event*\.**24**\(3\)\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[2572\-6633](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2572-6633)\. 21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-21)**["Microsoft advertisement \("No walls between you and your ideas"\)"](https://archive.org/details/sim_pc-world_1996-03_14_3/page/n3/mode/2up)\.*[PC World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_World)*\.**14**\(3\): iii\. March 1996\. 22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-22)**[Chen, Raymond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Chen_(Microsoft))\(August 25, 2003\)\.["Windows Brings Out the Rorschach Test in Everyone"](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20030825-00/?p=42803)\.*The Old New Thing*\.[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241008234433/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20030825-00/?p=42803)from the original on October 8, 2024\. RetrievedFebruary 28,2020\. 23. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Ridley_23-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Ridley_23-1)Ridley, Jacob \(July 2, 2021\)\.["The Best Windows Wallpapers, Ranked"](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-microsoft-windows-wallpapers/)\.*[PC Gamer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Gamer)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240301213459/https://www.pcgamer.com/best-microsoft-windows-wallpapers/)from the original on March 1, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-24)**Nelius, Joanna \(February 26, 2021\)\.["I'm Packing My Bags to Visit the Real\-Life Inspiration for Windows XP's Wallpaper"](https://gizmodo.com/im-packing-my-bags-to-visit-the-real-life-inspiration-f-1846369405)\.*[Gizmodo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gizmodo)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231208233423/https://gizmodo.com/im-packing-my-bags-to-visit-the-real-life-inspiration-f-1846369405)from the original on December 8, 2023\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 25. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Heisler_25-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Heisler_25-1)Heisler, Yoni \(July 23, 2015\)\.["The Most Viewed Photo in the History of the World"](https://bgr.com/2015/07/23/most-viewed-photograph-windows-xp/)\.*[Boy Genius Report](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Genius_Report)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180716025416/https://bgr.com/2015/07/23/most-viewed-photograph-windows-xp/)from the original on July 16, 2018\. RetrievedJuly 15,2018\. 26. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-The_Times_of_India_26-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-The_Times_of_India_26-1)[***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-The_Times_of_India_26-2)["Microsoft Behind World's Most Viewed Photograph"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/computing/microsoft-behind-worlds-most-viewed-photograph/articleshow/15027635.cms)\.*[The Times of India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_of_India)*\. July 18, 2012\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130510162723/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-18/computing/32729414_1_iconic-picture-windows-xp-microsoft)from the original on May 10, 2013\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 27. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-27)**Miller, Michael J\. \(October 30, 2001\)\. "The New Windows: Great XPectations"\.*[PC Mag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Mag)*\. Vol\. 20, no\. 18\. p\. 116\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[0888\-8507](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0888-8507)\. 28. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Marek_28-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Marek_28-1)Marek, Grant \(October 1, 2023\)\.["I Found the Bay Area Hill in Windows XP's Iconic Wallpaper"](https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/windows-xp-bliss-hill-sonoma-charles-o-rear-15976588.php)\.*[SFGate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SFGate)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210225133511/https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Windows-XP-Bliss-Hill-Sonoma-Charles-O-Rear-15976588.php)from the original on February 25, 2021\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-29)**Younger, Carolyn \(January 24, 2010\)\.["Finding the State of 'Bliss'"](https://napavalleyregister.com/news/community/star/lifestyles/finding-the-state-of-bliss/article_665ec551-412c-5694-ae0b-465506e46856.html)\.*[St\. Helena Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Helena_Star)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231211013007/https://napavalleyregister.com/news/community/star/lifestyles/finding-the-state-of-bliss/article_665ec551-412c-5694-ae0b-465506e46856.html)from the original on December 11, 2023\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-30)**Messieh, Nancy \(August 28, 2011\)\.["Ever Wonder Where the Windows XP Default Wallpaper Came From?"](https://thenextweb.com/shareables/2011/08/28/ever-wonder-where-the-windows-xp-default-wallpaper-came-from/)\.*[The Next Web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Next_Web)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130525212523/http://thenextweb.com/shareables/2011/08/28/ever-wonder-where-the-windows-xp-default-wallpaper-came-from/)from the original on May 25, 2013\. RetrievedMay 12,2013\. 31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-31)**Pype, Katrien \(March 2021\)\.["Beads, Pixels, and Nkisi: Contemporary Kinois Art and Reconfigurations of the Visual"](https://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/656477/2/ASR%20Forum%202019%20-%20June%202020.docx)\.*[African Studies Review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Studies_Review)*\.**64**\(1\): 28\.[doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_(identifier)):[10\.1017/asr\.2020\.74](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fasr.2020.74)\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[0002\-0206](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0002-0206)\. 32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-32)**Kania, Marcin \(2021\)\. "A Photographer Among Greenery, That Is About Portraying Nature"\.*Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis\. Studia ad Didacticam Biologiae Pertinentia*\(1\)\.[Pedagogical University of Krakow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedagogical_University_of_Krakow): 280\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[2083\-7267](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2083-7267)\. 33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-33)**Vogt, Adrienne \(April 11, 2014\)\.["Guys, This is a Real Photograph\!"](https://www.bustle.com/articles/20916-the-windows-xp-bliss-background-is-a-real-photograph-and-heres-how-it-happened)\.*[Bustle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bustle_(magazine))*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240227035006/https://www.bustle.com/articles/20916-the-windows-xp-bliss-background-is-a-real-photograph-and-heres-how-it-happened)from the original on February 27, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 8,2024\. 34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-34)**McConahey, Meg \(April 28, 2014\)\.["Lucky Shot – Most Viewed Photograph in the World"](https://www.sonomamag.com/lucky-shot/)\.*[Sonoma Magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_Magazine)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240415114800/https://www.sonomamag.com/lucky-shot/)from the original on April 15, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 8,2024\. 35. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Luckerson_35-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Luckerson_35-1)Luckerson, Victor \(April 11, 2014\)\.["Meet the Guy Who Took the Most Famous Desktop Photo of All Time"](https://time.com/59521/windows-xp-desktop-photo-bliss-explained/)\.*[Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_(magazine))*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240917120024/https://time.com/59521/windows-xp-desktop-photo-bliss-explained/)from the original on September 17, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 36. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-36)**["Windows XP Bliss Screen Saver"](https://web.archive.org/web/20011227152111/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/bliss.asp)\.*[Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)*\. December 12, 2001\. Archived from[the original](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/bliss.asp)on December 27, 2001\. RetrievedAugust 24,2019\. 37. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-37)**Endicott, Sean \(July 8, 2021\)\.["Microsoft Releases Teams Backgrounds Featuring Clippy, Solitaire, MS Paint, and More"](https://www.windowscentral.com/clippy-isnt-microsoft-365-it-does-have-new-background-microsoft-teams)\.*[Windows Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Central)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240519235633/https://www.windowscentral.com/clippy-isnt-microsoft-365-it-does-have-new-background-microsoft-teams)from the original on May 19, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 38. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-38)**Cunningham, Andrew \(June 8, 2023\)\.["Today I stumbled Upon Microsoft's 4K Rendering of the Windows XP Wallpaper"](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/06/i-just-found-out-that-microsoft-made-a-4k-version-of-the-windows-xp-wallpaper/)\.*[Ars Technica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Technica)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241007103714/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/06/i-just-found-out-that-microsoft-made-a-4k-version-of-the-windows-xp-wallpaper/)from the original on October 7, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 8,2024\. 39. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-39)**Bowden, Zac \(November 28, 2023\)\.["Limited Edition: Microsoft's 2023 Windows Ugly Sweater Features the Iconic Windows XP 'Bliss' Wallpaper and It's Available Now"](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/limited-edition-microsofts-2023-windows-ugly-sweater-features-the-iconic-windows-xp-bliss-wallpaper-and-its-available-now)\.*[Windows Central](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Central)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240301085255/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/limited-edition-microsofts-2023-windows-ugly-sweater-features-the-iconic-windows-xp-bliss-wallpaper-and-its-available-now)from the original on March 1, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 40. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-40)**Cunningham, Andrew \(November 28, 2023\)\.["Microsoft's Ugly Sweater for 2023 Is Windows XP's Iconic Default Wallpaper"](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/windows-xps-bliss-hill-is-on-this-years-ugly-microsoft-holiday-sweater/)\.*[Ars Technica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Technica)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240211065556/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/windows-xps-bliss-hill-is-on-this-years-ugly-microsoft-holiday-sweater/)from the original on February 11, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 8,2024\. 41. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-41)**Warren, Tom \(August 5, 2025\)\.["Microsoft's Windows XP Crocs Are No Joke"](https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/717965/microsoft-crocs-windows-xp-bliss-wallpaper-theme)\.*[The Verge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Verge)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250927140254/https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/717965/microsoft-crocs-windows-xp-bliss-wallpaper-theme)from the original on September 27, 2025\. RetrievedDecember 12,2025\. 42. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-42)**DeSantis, Rachel \(April 14, 2021\)\.["Inside the Real\-Life Love Story That Inspired Microsoft's 'Bliss,' the Most Viewed Photo Ever"](https://people.com/human-interest/how-an-unlikely-love-story-inspired-bliss-famous-microsoft-photo/)\.*[People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_(magazine))*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240729192305/https://people.com/human-interest/how-an-unlikely-love-story-inspired-bliss-famous-microsoft-photo/)from the original on July 29, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 7,2024\. 43. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-43)**Grubb, Ben \(March 26, 2014\)\.["Man Behind Famous Windows XP Wallpaper Wishes He'd Negotiated a Better Licensing Deal"](https://www.smh.com.au/technology/man-behind-famous-windows-xp-wallpaper-wishes-hed-negotiated-a-better-licensing-deal-20140326-35ims.html)\.*[The Sydney Morning Herald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*\.[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240518133734/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/man-behind-famous-windows-xp-wallpaper-wishes-hed-negotiated-a-better-licensing-deal-20140326-35ims.html)from the original on May 18, 2024\. RetrievedOctober 8,2024\. 44. ^[***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Goldin+Senneby_44-0)[***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-Goldin+Senneby_44-1)["After Microsoft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140220095645/http://www.goldinsenneby.com/gs/?p=81)\.*[Goldin\+Senneby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldin%2BSenneby)*\. April 5, 2007\. Archived from[the original](http://www.goldinsenneby.com/gs/?p=81)on February 20, 2014\. RetrievedFebruary 15,2010\. 45. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-45)**Swenson, Kirsten J\. \(June 2, 2015\)\.*Critical Landscapes: Art, Space, Politics*\.[University of California Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California_Press)\. pp\.27–28\.[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_(identifier))[978\-0\-520\-28548\-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-520-28548-4)\. 46. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bliss_(photograph)#cite_ref-46)**Chandra, Omeed \(Spring 2006\)\. "Modernize Windows XP"\.*[Maximum PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_PC)*\. p\. 38\.[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_(identifier))[1522\-4279](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1522-4279)\. - [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg)Media related to[Bliss \(photograph\)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bliss_(photograph))at Wikimedia Commons - [Official website](https://charlesorear.photoshelter.com/)of[Charles O'Rear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_O%27Rear)