On 19th August photography lovers across the globe celebrate World Photography Day. The main aim of this day is to inspire positive change across the world. Connecting people and raising awareness through the use of photography. We honour 2022 World Photography Day by looking at the most iconic moments captured in history.
V-J Day in Times Square – Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1945
The “Victory over Japan Day in Times Square”, known as V-J Day in Times Square – a photograph taken in 1945 by Alfred Eisenstaedt. This photograph of an American sailor kissing a woman in Times Square became a symbol of the excitement and joy at the end of World War II.
Lunch atop a Skyscraper – Unknown, 1932
Lunch atop a Skyscraper is a black-and-white photograph taken on September 20, 1932, of eleven ironworkers sitting on a steel beam 850 feet (260 meters) above the ground on the sixty-ninth floor of the RCA Building in Manhattan, New York City. This image of workers taking a daredevil’s lunch break at the top of a skyscraper certainly makes the viewer dizzy but also draws attention to the very risky life of the workers. In the first half of the 20th century, dozens of workers died after fatal falls while constructing various skyscrapers.
Afghan Girl – Steve McCurry, 1984
The piercing green eyes and a penetrating stare of a child around 12 caught the attention of the world in 1985. Steve McCurry took this photograph, Afghan Girl, in the refugee camp of Nasir Bagh during a trip to Afghanistan in 1984 to document the migration of Afghan refugees. It became the symbol of the Afghan struggle.
Flying Skirt – Sam Shaw, 1954
Decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe remains one of Hollywood’s most adored sex symbols.
While exiting a movie theatre a breeze from the subway passing below lifts Monroe’s white dress suggestively over her knees. Sam Shaw got the shot of what he referred to as “her composition.” Years later, Marilyn’s and Sam’s pictures continue to captivate viewers across the world.
Napalm Girl – Nick Ut, 1972
In 1972 Associated Press photographer Nick Ut captured terrified children running from the site of a Napalm attack during the Vietnam War fleeing the scene from a Napalm bombing. A South Vietnamese plane accidentally dropped Napalm on its own troops and civilians and nine-year-old Kim Phuc, also known as Napalm Girl ripped off her burning clothes while fleeing the scene. This photography is thought to be one of the most memorable photos of the 20th century.
Einstein’s Tongue – Arthur Sasse, 1951
On Albert Einstein’s 72nd birthday in 1951, photographer Arthur Sasse tried to get him to smile for the camera. Tired of smiling for pictures, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist stuck out his tongue instead and Sasse shot one of the most recognizable images of Einstein. He apparently did it so quickly that only one photographer was able to capture the moment. Einstein liked the photograph so much that he asked for nine copies!
This special day is an opportunity to share your love of photography – follow us on Instagram and tag #odpshutters as well as #worldphotographyday to get your work featured on our page.
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