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Most Famous/iconic photographs in history

206 replies

HangingBasketCase · 15/11/2014 14:08

Does anyone else enjoy photogtaphy? I've been looking at some of the most iconic photographs of all time, and I have a few favourites. I'll share three of them with you now.

Firstly lunch a top a skyscraper. Taken in New York during the building of the Rockerfeller Centre. I can't get my head around how they were able to sit on a metal beam, so high up without anything to secure them! If you ever visit the Rockerfeller centre you can recreate this photo, it's become that famous!

Secondly St Paul's Cathedral taken early in the morning following a devastating air raid on the city of London. All of the buildings around the cathedral were destroyed, yet almost miraculously St Pauls survived. How inspirational this image must have been to people at the time, seeing the dome of the Cathedral rising from the smoke like a Phoenix from the flames.

Finally "The Kiss", taken on VJ Day 1945, in Time Square. I believe the identities of the couple are unknown, but they weren't actually a couple. They were random strangers, he just grabbed hold of her and kissed her in happiness because the war was over. Wonder what we'd make of that now?

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
OP posts:
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RabidZombie · 16/11/2014 11:47

I loathe that The Kiss photograph.
But every other photograph on this thread, whether previously known or unknown to me, is incredibly powerful.
One photo that underscores the horror of the 9/11 attacks is The Falling Man. I saw a documentary once about someone trying to uncover the identity of the man. Very sad.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
FamiliesShareGerms · 16/11/2014 10:51

I didn't know that, Suburban

I think the best photos have a story behind them, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

SuburbanCrofter · 16/11/2014 10:28

Families, there is also an interesting story behind Peter Norman, the Australian medalist in that picture. He supported Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and was apparently ostracised by the Olympic Committee when he returned home, effectively ruining his career. Smith and Carlos were pall bearers at his funeral when he died.

NorbertDentressangle · 16/11/2014 10:11

ALMOSTMRSG I love the Gorbals Boys one by by Bert Hardy -the boys look like typical happy, cheeky boys going about their business regardless of the poverty and fall out from the war.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
Slubberdegullion · 16/11/2014 09:51

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is meant to be one of the most famous photographs in history.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
FamiliesShareGerms · 16/11/2014 09:44

I immediately thought of the Times Square kids

Father Reid waving a white hanky during Bloody Sunday

Tommie Smith and John Carlos' black power salutes on the Olympic podium in 1968

HangingBasketCase · 16/11/2014 09:33

Oh muffin that photo of all the coffins is so sad Sad

OP posts:
muffinino82 · 16/11/2014 00:58

In South Wales, these photos of the Aberfan disaster haunt so many. Relatives of mine and OH (we weren't born at the time) volunteered to dig, as did so many in the valleys. Everything about the story is just horrific Sad

serenaserene · 15/11/2014 23:16

Margaret Thatcher leaving Downing Street in 1990.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
AlfalfaMale · 15/11/2014 22:55

Great thread.

One of my favourites is Earthrise. Credited by many with kick-starting the (modern) environmental movement.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
ALMOSTMRSG · 15/11/2014 22:53

www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-22256411

Love this picture taken by Bert Hardy to highlight poverty in Glasgow just after the war.

stillenacht1 · 15/11/2014 22:41

Marking my place. Love a good photoSmile

diddl · 15/11/2014 22:23

Pacific, no, apparently they closed the door in time!

It's from a series by Jean Guichard.

There are more here

hlc123 · 15/11/2014 22:06

I have never seen the first photo posted by OP before and then just gone on facebook and someone on my local selling page is asking if anyone is selling it on canvas. For me, one of the most iconic photograph would be the falling man and also Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William, Price Harry and Earl Spencer behind Princess Diana's coffin.

fuckmeblindiknowthatcat · 15/11/2014 21:57

Not a popular one but I love the raw-ness and desperation of this photo:

jihandavincka.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/charles-and-camilla-photo-by-rex-features.jpg

MamaMary · 15/11/2014 21:42

Famous pic from Northern Ireland.

Most Famous/iconic photographs in history
CinnabarRed · 15/11/2014 21:42

Gotcha! Thanks.

PacificDogwood · 15/11/2014 21:23

Cinnabar, right in the centre, at the door, yellow jumper/jacket.

BalloonSlayer · 15/11/2014 21:21

Citron reminding me of that sort of book made me think of this photo from Picture Post. Lovely happy photo, v famous.

CinnabarRed · 15/11/2014 21:21

The photographs of the liberation of the concentration camps have stayed with me all my adult life.

CinnabarRed · 15/11/2014 21:19

Where is the person in the lighthouse picture?

tonsattingforbjudes · 15/11/2014 21:17

Not sure if we've had this old one before on the thread.
A little boy hears for the first time
whyevolutionistrue.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/hearing.jpg

CitronVert · 15/11/2014 21:16

BalloonSlayer, I've got a wonderful photography book which belonged to my lovely grandad who was a keen photographer. It's the stories behind many of the most famous images of the 20th century and that Churchill one is one of them. Apparently the photographer had spent ages trying to get a decent pose out of him and decided to Nick his cigar from him. The picture was taken immediately after that, hence Winnie's grumpy glare.

Ohanarama · 15/11/2014 21:14

I was going to say the John Lennon photo but beaten to it. So eerie that he was signing an autograph for Mark Chapman outside the Dakota building, not realising that Mark Chapman would come back to shoot him dead in the same spot shortly afterwards.

Larrytheleprechaun · 15/11/2014 21:08

Jesus that one of the child and the vulture is horrific. Poor little soul Sad