Ever wonder where the Windows XP default wallpaper came from?

[GodlessAstronomer]

This is a really interested article about the origins of the famous Bliss wallpaper background from Windows XP. Sorry if it's a repost (didn't search) but I really enjoyed this article

 

[foghorn67]

Saw that on Google+, and yes it's very interesting.

 

[Lithium381]

that's some vivid color for not having been "digitially altered" but there are a few filters that one can use to bring out bold color, no?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

The first picture above was photoshopped to remove a power line, but the colors are natural. The second one is 100% natural.

 

[Lithium381]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

The first picture above was photoshopped to remove a power line, but the colors are natural. The second one is 100% natural.

wow you must have a terrible camera, it doesn't even put the date on the picture for you, mind does and it was only $60 !! those are some clean shots!

 

[foghorn67]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

I don't know if this is true. But I heard altitude has a lot to do with it.
Don't quote me on this. But whenever I am in a certain elevation range, my skies are super saturated.

 

[blurredvision]

This is a really interested article about the origins of the famous Bliss wallpaper background from Windows XP. Sorry if it's a repost (didn't search) but I really enjoyed this article

Wow, a post of yours I actually enjoyed and thank you for. There is hope after all.

 

[tfinch2]

It came from the Blind Melon - No Rain music video.

 

[Orignal Earl]

Windows sounds.

"Brian Eno (Producer for David Bowie, U2, Coldplay) Was responsible for the ‘startup’ sound used on Microsoft’s Windows 95 Operating System"

"The thing from the agency said, “We want a piece of music that is inspiring, universal, blah- blah, da-da-da, optimistic, futuristic, sentimental, emotional,” this whole list of adjectives, and then at the bottom it said “and it must be 31/4 seconds long.”

http://rockonoff.com/brian-eno-prod...sed-on-microsofts-windows-95-operating-system

Music using ONLY sounds from Windows XP and 98!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsU3B0W3TMs

 

[lxskllr]

I always liked the 2kpro startup sound. I used it on Vista :^)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I always figured it was Bill Gates backyard.

 

[ultimatebob]

I always figured it was Bill Gates backyard.

Nah... being from Washington coastal area, it would have more trees and water.

 

[nageov3t]

interesting read!

I always assumed it was cg.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Interesting, I never even gave it much thought but figured it was most likely cg or manipulated. I remember the commercials where they had that landscape and the person on a desk flying through it. Anyone else remember those commercials? I remember making a spoof of it where the desk catches on fire because XP was overtaxing the cpu. (this is back when they'd put XP on a celeron with like 128MB of ram)

 

[SWScorch]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

The first picture above was photoshopped to remove a power line, but the colors are natural. The second one is 100% natural.

Wow, those are amazing photos. Do you need a really high end camera to take such great shots, or is it possible to achieve that kind of color with a cheap DSLR if you know what you're doing?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Wow, those are amazing photos. Do you need a really high end camera to take such great shots, or is it possible to achieve that kind of color with a cheap DSLR if you know what you're doing?

Wow, thanks so much I use a Canon 30D which I guess is a "pro-sumer" camera but it's getting a bit old these days. You can definitely get shots like these with the modern consumer-level cameras such as Canon's xxxD range. It helps to have a decent quality lens to pull out the best contrast and saturation but again you don't need to go bananas on price. The second image posted above also has a circular polarizing filter attached to the lens which is about another $100.

So yeah, definitely with a cheap DSLR you can get shots like these. The best thing about landscape photography is that fancy gear really isn't that important in most circumstances.

 

[Zeze]

Wow, those are amazing photos. Do you need a really high end camera to take such great shots, or is it possible to achieve that kind of color with a cheap DSLR if you know what you're doing?

That HAS to be digitally altered. It's at least HDR. There's no way sky and hill can be in perfect same exposure.

High end camera doesn't mean anything.

 

[IronWing]

Wine destroys bliss. You shouldn't drink.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

That HAS to be digitally altered. It's at least HDR. There's no way sky and hill can be in perfect same exposure.

High end camera doesn't mean anything.

Not HDR. Circular polarizing filter and direct sunlight on the terrain.

 

[zinfamous]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

The first picture above was photoshopped to remove a power line, but the colors are natural. The second one is 100% natural.

no polarizing filter on the lens? I find that hard to believe, esp with pic #2.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

no polarizing filter on the lens? I find that hard to believe, esp with pic #2.

Yes there was a CPL on pic #2, IIRC not on #1. CPL != Photoshop.

 

[Loop2kil]

I can definitely believe it's not digitally altered. I have taken a pictures that have similar colors without any digital modification.

The first picture above was photoshopped to remove a power line, but the colors are natural. The second one is 100% natural.

Wow, those are some amazingly good photos...do you have a 1600x1200 of either or both?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Middle Earth does indeed have some really nice scenery. Would be a nice place to visit.