When Microsoft debuted its groundbreaking Windows XP operating system in the fall of 2001, the default desktop wallpaper “Bliss” eventually became the default desktop background. most viewed photo in the world. You may not recognize it by name, but when you think of the rolling hills of lush green grass in California’s Sonoma County, paired in intensity with an equally saturated blue sky and puffy cumulus clouds, you should definitely conjure up the iconic backdrop that the given title worthy.
Microsoft is chasing that high level again with a competition for the next archetypal landscape wallpaper for Windows. In partnership with creative agency Superdigital, Microsoft has tapped seven international photographers to research, plan, capture and edit their submissions on Surface devices. Fans voted for their favorites, leaving seven winning selections. Whitney Wolf, director of strategy for Superdigital, called it “an opportunity to help Microsoft become a… deep-rooted nostalgia for the brand This has come to light again in recent years.”
“Bliss” itself was created 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) 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 was driving along the hills and came across the perfect scene – something he had prepared for after the seasonal rains often left the hills a rich green. He stopped, took four film photos after setting up his camera on a tripod, he got back in the car to continue.
A vineyard pest infestation was responsible for clearing the iconic hill where grass was allowed to grow instead of wine grapes. O’Rear had passed the hill dozens of times without any consequences, but it was a fortuitous day that left the image seared into our minds for a generation.
Meanwhile, for the recent competition, the seven photographers were equipped with 11th edition Surface Pros and the generative AI service ‘Copilot’, which they had to use to capture the perfect shot for the competition. It certainly begs the question: can AI assistance ever enable the perfection brought about by fate, luck, and a finger on the pulse?
Check out the rest of the photos from the match below.
