This Nature Photographer Took the Most Viewed Photo of All Time

Charles “Chuck” O’Rear is an American photographer with over 25 years experience pointing, shooting, and capturing the world’s beauty in a snapshot. His work has been featured in no less than 25 National Geographic features. While O’Rear’s photographs have captured the wonder of Canada, Siberia, Silicon Valley, Indonesia, and the Mexican Riviera, his most successful image would be “Bliss”, bought by Microsoft in 2001 to be their default wallpaper. Years later, O’Rear’s “Bliss” was named the most viewed photo in the world. Culture Trip had the pleasure to interview Charles on his past works and see what could be coming next.

As a teenager I had interest in journalism, so during college I pursued photography and newspaper reporting. After college I became a reporter and photographer for the Kansas City Star (Missouri). After a stint with the Los Angeles Times I began freelance photography and, in 1971, produced my first story for National Geographic Magazine. I photographed for the magazine until 1995.

I find nature photography to be challenging and rewarding. Most often I prefer to not aim my cameras at people, rather scenery and or anything that doesn’t move, including people.

During most of my career I always carried a camera in my car, never knowing when I could see the perfect photo. Around 1995, I was driving north of San Francisco when I saw the bright green grass, blue sky and clouds. I stopped, photographed it, and the rest is history.

I was approached by a design firm representing Lufthansa Airlines. I agreed to travel through the American West and record striking images that could be used on smartphones.

When done well, nature photography can illustrate peace and quiet, such as “Bliss”. That is my goal.

The popularity of “Bliss” has been an exciting time. After 25 years photographing for National Geographic Magazine all over the world, future generations (and my tombstone) will remember “Bliss” before any of the work I did for this famous magazine!

While known best for blissful natural landscapes, O’Rear has also taken snapshots of the people he’s encountered on the way. See some examples below.