25 iconic Photos which change the world: Pictures are the canvases of time. They serve as reservoirs to endless memories and unforgettable journeys. They say, “A good photograph put up a point, a great one-the whole story behind the frame.” Photos have been the main source of inspiration for people for centuries. They have reflected upon the truth generations after generations. Some of them grabbed eyeballs because they were too truthful in their appearance.
Below are 25 of such iconic, drastic, world changing photographs which changed the way in which we perceive the world.
1. Dorothea Lange: Migrant Mother, 1936
Clicked in the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, this image reflects the sad state of people at the time. The woman in the picture is Florence Thompson, a mother of seven. She was so short of money that she had to sell the tires of her car to feed her kids. The classic expressions of worry anguish and desperation literally became associated with the mood of thousands like her. Over time, the image has been republished in magazines, journals and newspapers and has come to symbolize the great depression.
2. John Paul Filo: Kent State Protest, 1970
This disturbing image of an angry young woman crying over the body of a dead student won John a Pulitzer. It was taken during the time when Ohio National Guard opened fire at the crowd which was protesting President Nixon’s sending troops into Cambodia. It also inspired legendary singer Neil Young to compose the protest song “Ohio”.
3. Will Counts: Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Massery, 1957
This image was taken in Little Rock, Arkansas where Elizabeth Eckford was the one of the first coloured students in The Central High School. She faced the hatred and heated strife from the white community in Southern United States. Her gruelling walk to the classroom is accompanied by the shouts of white student Hazel Massery who later expressed regret for her actions.
4. Eugene Richards: Wounded Soldier, 2008
The album ‘War Is Personal’ by Eugene Richards shows the stark reality of the human cost in the war of Iraq. In this heart rendering image, a wounded soldier hugs his mother back at home. He is the survivor of a brutal attack which cost him a part of his head.
5. Kevin Carte: The Starving Child And The Vulture, 1994
Probably one of the most acknowledged and empathized upon images is this dreadful picture taken by Kevin Carte. This Sudanese child is being stalked by a vulture. The bird is aware of the fact that the child will die due to starvation, so it is patiently waiting for his meal. This click won the photographer a Pulitzer but unfortunately he was so shocked by the naked stark poverty that he committed suicide three months after gaining recognition for the picture. It enlightened the world on the ruthless effects of famine in Africa.
6. The Floating Bodies In Tsunami, 2004
Thailand suffered the vicious attack of tsunami on its Boxing Day in 2004. More than 35,000 deaths were reported and a vast numbers were missing. This image shows the dead bodies floating atop each other on the bay.
7. Arthur Sasse: Einstein With His Tongue Out, 1951
This legendry photograph was clicked by Arthur Sasse on Professor Einstein’s 72nd birthday. Hoping to celebrate his birth day in peace, Einstein was apparently hounded by the press. Exasperated finally, he stuck out his tongue for the camera. This image became a classic instantly and ensured that the distinguished Nobel Laureate would become synonymous not with genius but wacky genius.
8. Malcolm Browne: The Burning Monk, 1963
The Buddhist monks of Saigon have resorted themselves to immolation as a protest regarding the unreliable reforms in Vietnam. Amongst many examples, one is of this Buddhist Mahayana monk, Thich Quang Duc. He set himself afire on the outskirts of Saigon for the harshness enacted upon the fellow Buddhist monks in South Vietnam. While his body burned, Duc’s heart remained in one piece only. As a result, he was christened as a Bodhisattva by followers and fellow monks. His grave act put pressure on the administration to implement the reform laws faster.
9. The Young Mother At Five, 1939
One of the photographs which transformed the course of medical history was that of Lina Medina who became a mother at the age of five. Lina was born in Oeru in 1933. She was taken to the hospital by her parents due to her enlarged belly which they thought was a tumour. However, the doctors confirmed after a series of tests that she was pregnant and that too for seven months. A month later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy whom she named after the doctor as Gerardo. Lina’s case was the first ever known case of precocious pregnancy. Her son was firstly raised as Lina’s brother but eventually he found out that she was his mother. Gerardo died seven years after due to bone marrow disease. Lina is 74 now and lives with her husband in Lima, Peru.
10. Murray Becker: The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937
The destruction of Hindenburg on 6th may, 1937 was the quintessential disaster of the 20th century. However, out of 97 passengers, 62 survived but when the status of the catastrophe was calculated, it far outweighed the body counts. Unfortunately, the worldwide publicity of the crash due to images shattered the reputation of Zeppelins. The public lost faith in what once was deemed the safest mode of air travel.
11. Freddy Alborta: Che’s Corpse, 1967
Over the period of time, Che Guevera has become the patron saint for revolutionaries everywhere. He has a mythical status, more because of the way of his demise. Captured and executed in 1967 in Bolivia, the group of executioners gathered around his dead body for a strategic picture before dumping his dead body in a secret grave. This was a mere effort to give the world evidence that Che was dead. Fearing that the photo would be termed fake, they even amputated his hands and preserved those in formaldehyde. However, in doing so, they birthed his legend unwittingly. The image has a striking resemblance to Christ after being taken down from the cross. His face was eerily peaceful showing forgiveness. Thanks to this image, “the passion of Che” survived in realms of martyrdom.
12. Ian Wetherell: The Loch Ness Monster, 1934
The speculations surrounding The Loch Ness Monster date back to 565 B.C. However, when photography gained popularity, the nessie fever took heights. This Surgeon’s Photo was reportedly taken in April, 1934. It gave spark to heated speculations, several expensive underwater search expeditions and a number of local tourism industries which earn millions every year. However, these speculations stopped in 1994 when a published report exposed the model maker Christian Spurling having faked the image. As per his statement, his stepfather was a famous hunter and was hired by London’s Daily Mail to locate the monster. Instead of smoking out the creature, he built his own monster and made it float on the lake surface with putty and toy submarine.
13. Tom Shipp And Abe Smith, 1930
Both Abe and Tom were convicted in 1930 of rape and robbery. They were hanged by the crowd on 7th August 1930. In the process of hanging, Smith tired to free himself. He was lowered and his wrists were broken. This picture is a stark mirror for the brutality of racism where these two were punished more severely than agreed as they were African Americans.
14. Iwo Jima
The image of the US Marines from the 28th regiment and 5th Div raising the flags of the States on Mount Jima is one of the most famous news photographs of all time. This famous battle has been narrated more than the World War Stories.
15. Newspaper Blunder, 1948
This epic photograph is probably the world’s most renowned media error. Harry Truman was to supposedly lose the 1948 presidential elections. In the picture, he is holding The Tribune with its headlines ‘Dewey defeats Truman.’ The photograph served as a grim reminder that information must be verified before it reaches the public.
16. Saigon War, 1968
Another memorabilia for the world comes from Saigon area. Here, the South Vietnam police chief is seen shooting a man supposedly an officer of Viet Cong. This image is a fitting example of crime during war and a reminder to unnecessary atrocity faced by innocent civilians.
17. Man Conquering Moon
Not many images can have such an impact as this one. Taken on the lunar surface, the image has Buzz Aldrin with the flag of United States in July 1969.
18. Alfred Eisenstaedt: The Kiss, 1945
On August 14th, 1945, Japan surrendered to the U.S. This signalled the end of World War II. Celebrations erupted across streets and the most joyous were the ones in uniform. The wave of overjoyed masses also had one of the most brilliant photographers of the 20th century; the German immigrant Alfred Eisenstaedt. While capturing the celebration, he spotted a young sailor who was running and grabbing any girl with ages no bar. He captured the brimming happiness of the sailor when he locked lips with a beautiful nurse. The image was circulated rapidly across the whole country. To this day, the image is a cheerful, enduring reminder of America’s exuberance when the long battle ended.
19. Roger Fenton: Valley Of Death’s Shadow, 1855
Roger Fenton is highly regarded as the first photographer to base his snapshots on the theme of war. In this famous photograph, he arranged some cannon balls across such a huge barren landscape. He was forced to do so because he could not take pictures of the war as he could not get the necessary exposure time frame to click images. This widely acclaimed image is metaphorical and eerily empty. It demonstrates that a photograph, even when taken on a battlefield, can be thought provoking and affecting just like poetry.
20. Jeff Widener: Protest On Tiananmen Square, 1989
As a means to nip the evil in the bud, the government had sent tanks to massacre workers, students and children due to a crackdown on Tiananmen Square. As visible in the image, a protestant stands in front of the tanks bravely. Although unknown till date, this man is responsible for reviving the world’s perception of courage.
21. Elliott Erwitt: Segregation Of Water Pumps In North Carolina, 1950
This picture widely gained reputation as an epitome of change by pointing out the injustice of apartheid. One can only imagine that a lot has been transformed since its inception.
22. Robert Capa: Moment Of Death, 1936
This image captured the exact moment of death of a loyal militiaman. When published in the French magazine vu, it caused a stir by strengthening the Republican Cause.
23. Match Between Muhammad Ali And Sonny Liston, 1965
This famous rematch between Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali remains controversial till date because of how Liston went down in the first round itself out of nowhere. This photograph of Ali standing over his prey has become one of the may iconic, memorable shots which epitomized the man as “The Greatest.”
24. Steve McCurry: The Afghan Girl, 1984
The real identity of this girl was under the wraps till 2002. But, since its inception, Sharbat Gula’s face has been one of National Geographic’s most iconic covers of all time. It depicted the struggle of refuges all around the globe.
25. Jesse Owens
One of the most successful athletes of 1936 Olympics, Jesse Owens thrived when Nazi authorities were brutally propagating the supremacy of the Aryans. His unquestionable performance was looked upon as a fitting response to Hitler’s tactics. This legendary image when looked in the same context, utters volumes of his timely victories.
Very good choice! One might mention the questionmarks that can be put about Robert Capas -still great – photo
Nice and informative resume!
Thanks for visiting Erik 🙂
Thanks for visiting Komodor 🙂
Thank you Komodor. 🙂 Its an honor.