15 Famous Photos that Marked History

15 Famous Photos that Marked History 15 of the World’s Most Famous Photographs Chapters1. Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de ville by Robert Doisneau2. The Vulture and the Little Girl by Kevin Carter3. Afghan Girl by Steve McCurry4. Tank Man by Jeff Widener5. Heart of Voh by Yann Arthus Bertrand6. V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt7. The Terror of War by Nick Ut8. The Agony of Omayra Sànchez by Frank Fournier9. Woman Resists Eviction in Manaus by Luiz Vasconcelos10. Saigon Execution by Eddie Adams11. The Death of Aylan by Nilüfer Demir12. Guerrillero Heroico by Alberto Korda13. The Falling Man by Richard Drew14. Bliss by Chuck O’Rear15. The Burning Monk by Malcolm BrowneThe history of photography has been marked by several striking photographs which have been etched into the minds of people across the globe; iconic images and subjects that speak a thousand words.Whether they entered the public eye as pieces of photojournalism, fashion photography, landscape photography, portraiture, documentary photography of historical events, or art photography, the mo st famous and iconic photographs in the world come from a variety of genres and eras.These instantly recognizable photographs have not only made a mark on the world, but they have also made the photographer famous, too.Renowned and great photographers such as Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Raymond Depardon and Robert Doisneau aren’t the only ones to have left behind an impressive legacy!Many documentary photographers and photojournalists are among those responsible for these poignant pieces, and they have the influential nature of their work to thank for their success.If you're looking for photography courses, why not check out our great tutors all over the UK. Find local  photography courses near you in London, Glasgow, Cardiff or anywhere in between.It was later learnt that the young girl in the photograph had been found alive and well.3. Afghan Girl by Steve McCurryTaken in June 1984, the portrait of the young Afghan girl known as Sharbat Gula is one of the most recognisab le in the world.McCurry's Afghan Girl appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985 ¦ source: WFAEAt the time this photograph was taken, Sharbat Gula was twelve years old.Perhaps the most striking part of this portrait is the young girl’s green eyes.As McCurry took this photograph while travelling in Pakistan, the Afghan Girl can be used as an example of travel photography as well as portraiture.4. Tank Man by Jeff WidenerTank Man, which was taken in 1989, is the symbol of one student’s rebellion against the suppression of the Chinese army.Powerful, political and poignant ¦ source: globalnews - Jeff Widener/APThis photograph was taken at a demonstration against corruption. As the number of demonstrators continued to grow, the Chinese government made the decision to use the force of the army to restore order.The driver of the tank refused to keep moving forward, contrary to the orders of his superiors.Join online photography courses and add your picture to the list.5. He art of Voh by Yann Arthus BertrandThe Heart of Voh (or CÅ"ur de Voh, as it is called in French) is one of the world’s most famous pictures from the not-so-famous Yann Arthus Bertrand.Taken in 1990, the photograph represents the mangrove, a forest between land and water in New Caledonia.This type of vegetation covers over 75% of tropical land, representing 15 million hectares around the world.This aerial image showed New Caledonia to the rest of the world ¦ source: Yann Arthus-BertrandWhen taking this photo, Bertrand, as a keen landscape photographer, hoped to alert people to the environmental issues in the area.6. V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred EisenstaedtIt was at the end of the Second World War that photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured this moment between an American sailor and a nurse in Times Square.Eisenstaedt's spontaneous snap echoes that of Doisneau ¦ source: NYDailyNews - ALFRED EISENSTAEDT/TIME LIFE PICTURES/GETTY IMAGESThis photograph, which was published in Li fe Magazine, was taken on 14th August 1945 â€" the day that Japan surrendered to the Allies.Just as with Doisneau’s Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville, many people claimed to be the kissing strangers captured on camera.Eventually, the lady in the photograph was identified as Greta Friedman.Ever wondered about the Instagram trend of recipe flatlays? Superprof explains all in this article on food photography.7. The Terror of War by Nick UtThe Vietnam war, which took place from 1955 to 1975, was incredibly controversial.People campaigned for the war and the massacres (represented by this photograph) that came with it to be brought to an end.Nick Ut's Napalm Girl is an example of war photography ¦ source: All That's InterestingPhan Th? Kim Phúc OOnt, or the Napalm Girl as she is known, had to endure 17 skin grafts following the incident depicted in the picture.“I wanted people to know who she was” Frank Fournier on Omayra Sànchez9. Woman Resists Eviction in Manaus by Luiz Vasconcelo sSome believe Brazil to be the land of greed.This photograph depicts the desperation of a mother defending her home ¦ source: www.tribunal-evictions.orgVasconcelos’ photograph shows the woman resisting the Brazilian forces, who had come to claim land for the state.What makes this photograph even more important is its publication despite the treatment of journalists by the Brazilian government.10. Saigon Execution by Eddie AdamsAt the height of the Vietnam war, photographer Eddie Adams followed the Vietnamese army over the course of a few days.Adam's shocking photograph helped bring an end to the war ¦ source: BBC - AP/BRISCOE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTORYHe was present for the execution of a communist prisoner who thought he was only going to be subject to interrogation.After winning the Pulitzer award, Adams said:“The general killed the Vietcong; I killed the general with my camera”11. The Death of Aylan by Nilüfer DemirThe image of an infant refugee found dead on a Turkish beach stopped the world’s news in September 2015.The photograph of the three-year-old's body changes the view of many on the migrant crisis ¦ source: Al JazeeraPhotographer Nilüfer Demir  explained:“By photographing them, I simply wanted to capture the trauma experienced by these people”12. Guerrillero Heroico by Alberto KordaAlberto Korda’s portrait of Che Guevara is everywhere. As a well-known symbol of Marxism, this photograph is printed on on tshirts, bags and stickers.This portrait has become an icon ¦ source: smithsonianmagBut what is the story behind this portrait?The photograph was taken in 1960 as a memorial for the victims of the explosion at La Coubre.Guerrilllero Heroico was declared the most famous photograph in the world by the Maryland Institute of Art.13. The Falling Man by Richard DrewTaken during the horrors of the attack on the World Trade Center on 11th September 2001, the famous photograph of the falling man shows a man jumping from a high floor of on e of the twin towers.The publication of this photograph caused controversy in the press ¦ source: www.thedailybeast.com - AP Photo/Richard DrewSeveral people threw themselves into the air to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes as the buildings burnt.14. Bliss by Chuck O’RearIn January 1995, Chuck O’Rear, a National Geographic photographer, took this photograph in Napa County in California.Chuck O'Rear's Bliss is known by everyone who used Windows XP ¦ source: extremetechBliss rose to fame as the default desktop background for Windows XP.Several of O’Rear’s other works have also been used as backgrounds.15. The Burning Monk by Malcolm BrowneA Buddhist monk called Thich Quang Duc immolated himself on the streets of Saigon in protest of the treatment of Buddhist monks under president Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime.Malcolm Browne was the only Western photographer at the scene of the incident ¦ source: Time MagazineMalcolm Browne was the only Western journalist at the scene in 1963, and managed to capture a photograph which would mark history.Click here if you're interested in the art of contemporary photography.