When Microsoft debuted its landmark operating system Windows XP in the fall of 2001, the default desktop wallpaper “Bliss” ended up becoming the most viewed photograph in the world. You might not recognize it by name, but thinking of the rolling hills of lush green grass in California’s Sonoma County, matched in intensity with an equally saturated blue sky and puffy cumulus clouds, should certainly conjure up the iconic background worthy of its given title.
Microsoft is chasing that high again with a contest for the next archetypal landscape wallpaper for Windows. Partnering with the creative agency Superdigital, Microsoft tapped seven international photographers to research, plan, capture, and edit their submissions on Surface devices. Fans voted on their favorites, leaving seven winning selections. Whitney Wolf, Superdigital director of strategy, called it “an opportunity to help Microsoft tap into a deep rooted nostalgia for the brand that has reemerged in recent years.”
“Bliss” itself was taken in 1996 by National Geographic photographer Charles O’Rear, to whom Microsoft paid an estimated $100,000 or more to purchase the image rights (complete with the original film with the photo on it) in order to anchor Windows XP with the memorable, comforting default background.
O’Rear was driving on the Sonoma Highway to meet his then-girlfriend when he drove past the hills and came across the perfect scene — something he had prepared for after the seasonal rains often times left the hills a rich green. He pulled over, took four film photos after setting his camera up on a tripod, and hopped back in the car to carry on his way.
A pest infestation at a vineyard was responsible for the clearing of the iconic hill where grass was allowed to grow instead of wine grapes. O’Rear had passed the hill dozens of times without consequence, but it was one serendipitous day that allowed for the image to be burned into our mind’s eye for a generation.
For the recent contest, meanwhile, the seven photographers were equipped with 11th Edition Surface Pros and the generative AI service “Copilot,” which they had to use to execute the perfect shot for the competition. It certainly does beg the question: Can AI assistance can ever facilitate the perfection brought about by fate, luck, and a finger on the pulse?
See the rest of the photos in the contest below.
