# World's Most Famous Photograph **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 18, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890 "2002-03-18T16:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/61 "2002-03-22T14:40:29Z")
After making a cursory search on the web, the conclusion seems to be that Rosenthal has always stuck to his story, and many people believe his story, and just as many don’t. So you be the judge. Per the OP, this is a very interesting question for me, as it’s my line of work. I’d actually guess some iconic celebrity image, perhaps Marilyn Monroe’s with the skirt flying up or an image of Elvis. It’s terribly difficult for me to ascertain how many of these images are cross-cultural. What about cult-of-personality images such as Mao Tse-Tung or Stalin? With China you’re already dealing with a population base that’s much higher than the US and Europe combined? Just suggestions in thinking outside the box… ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/62 "2002-03-22T15:10:37Z")
**pulykamell,** I like your proddings to think outside the box. As has already been suggested in this thread, part of the difficulty in coming to consensus on what constitutes the “most famous photograph” has to do with how one defines “famous” and “photograph”. “Photograph” for me meant a non-posed newsworthy subject. In this context, the worldwide recognized icons of Stalin or Mao don’t qualify. Marilyn’s skirt photo (no matter how much I love that picture… and God, do I love it… to the best of my memory, it was that image that first stirred my loins as a pre-adolescent) falls outside my criteria. “Famous” for me meant widely recognized. I erred in choosing US centric photos. However, I find that I am incapable of evaluating the worldwide recognition of the photos already mentioned. Nonetheless, after reflection, I now have to place my vote squarely on Tianamen. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/63 "2002-03-22T16:20:05Z")
Well, then, **Algernon** , the question becomes what’s the most famous documentary/photojournalistic photograph? With your definition, pretty much all of Ansel Adams can be nixed (not “newsworthy” in the traditional sense), a lot of Liebowitz, Irving Penn, all art or fashion photography for that matter, all of which certainly constitute “photography” in any normal sense of the word. That said, if this is your new criteria, it’s a tough call. Tienamin may be a good guess, but I don’t know how widely recognized it is outside the US. Eddie Adams’ Vietnam execution photo is perhaps THE defining photo of that war (along with the napalm girl) and along with Iwo Jima probably more recognized within the US than the Tieneman photo (I would venture to guess. But I may be wrong.) I venture to guess Armstrong on the moon is cross-cultural and widely recognized. Kent State I think is out of the running. I’m willing to wager 20 to 1 my brother (born 1981) and many of my old neighborhood friends (in their mid to late 20s) would not recognize it. I was fairly unfamiliar with it until university. The self-immolation photo has gotten extra mileage through it’s use on the Rage Against the Machine album cover. (I got the right band, yes?) The Ghandi photo that I think of is the one Apple uses for its campaign of “Think Different.” But I don’t think this photo would fit your criteria. Overall, I’d have to go with the moon photos. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/64 "2002-03-22T17:17:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > With your definition, pretty much all of Ansel Adams can be nixed… I hope you recognize that my arbitrary criteria was in no way intended to reflect any perception of “quality” of the photograph or photographer. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > Kent State I think is out of the running. I’m willing to wager 20 to 1 my brother (born 1981) and many of my old neighborhood friends (in their mid to late 20s) would not recognize it. That doesn’t surprise me at all, and I’d agree with you that it’s out of the running. My inclusion of this photo in my original list was due probably primarily to the emotional impact the event had on my life and world view. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > Overall, I’d have to go with the moon photos. No arguments from me… but I still vote for Tianamen Square. ~grin~ ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/65 "2002-03-22T18:47:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\* > > Heh heh, I can spot an Onion fan from a mile away. \*\* **DUDE!** How did you know that?! I’ve been reading the Onion since it was just a B&W rag coming out of Madison! ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/66 "2002-03-22T19:02:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hey you! \* > \*\* > > **DUDE!** > > How did you know that?! > > I’ve been reading the Onion since it was just a B&W rag coming out of Madison! \*\* And you picked it up mainly for the Taco John’s coupons, heh (Yeah, I was there, too). My first thought was the V-E Day kissing couple picture, I know my personal favorite is the Rita Hayworth picture ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/67 "2002-03-22T19:05:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tretiak \* > \*\* > > And you picked it up mainly for the Taco John’s coupons, heh (Yeah, I was there, too). > > My first thought was the V-E Day kissing couple picture, I know my personal favorite is the Rita Hayworth picture \*\* Rita Hayworth! Va-Va-VOOM!! Did you see her non-stripping stip scene in Gilda? Holy Moley. ---
**Author:** ![barton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@barton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barton)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/68 "2002-03-23T05:52:48Z")
Thinking outside the box: The portrait of George Washington on the $1 bill. EVERYONE that has ever used U.S. currency has to be familiar with it. The fellow that did it is buried downtown in Boston - I used to walk by his grave every day, his name escapes me at the moment. Yes, it’s not a photo, but at the time, a portrait sitting was the best thing you could get to having your picture taken. ---
**Author:** ![ninevah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/46a35a/32.png) [@ninevah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ninevah)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/69 "2002-03-25T11:05:30Z")
Is it just me, or do most of the most memorable photos mentioned seem to be of american origin? I think the photo of Laika, the first (russian) dog is pretty cool and worth a mention. ---
**Author:** ![Beastal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Beastal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastal)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/70 "2002-03-25T15:53:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by barton \* > \*\*Thinking outside the box: > > The portrait of George Washington on the $1 bill. EVERYONE that has ever used U.S. currency has to be familiar with it. The fellow that did it is buried downtown in Boston - I used to walk by his grave every day, his name escapes me at the moment. > > Yes, it’s not a photo, but at the time, a portrait sitting was the best thing you could get to having your picture taken. \*\* Think outside _your_ box. The OP said “world’s” most famous photograph, not “America’s”. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/71 "2002-03-25T19:44:24Z")
Nacho4Sara, is the “hand in hand” pic that you’re talking about the one used for the Dead Kennedy’s _Plastic Surgery Disasters_ [album cover?](http://www.deadkennedys.com/picts_albums.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/72 "2002-03-26T02:36:30Z")
Yup, that’s the one. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/73 "2002-03-26T08:00:27Z")
Those that vote for the Tiananmen square picture (which was one of the first I though of as well) should realise that over a billion Chinese most likely did not see it due to censorship. I have shown it to my wife and she’d never seen it. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890/74 "2002-03-26T08:15:23Z")
One that comes to my mind is the photo of liberated Buchenwald prisoners (one of which was Elie Wiesel). Most of the starved prisoners looked dazed and apprehensive, not like men newly ‘liberated’ from anything. I can’t find it online, but it is certainly very famous. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-famous-photograph/98890.md?page=3)