Microsoft paid a handsome sum to the photographer of the image that became the most viewed in the world as Windows XP wallpaper. Nowadays, the software giant gets images for Windows almost for free.
Windows 10 displays a variety of beautiful images to the user on the lock screen when Windows Spotlight is selected as the lock screen background.
Recently, the Danish trade magazine Journalisten reported that Microsoft has acquired archive images at bargain prices from photo agencies.
The magazine interviewed six photographers whose images are displayed as lock screen images on Windows. Only one of the interviewed photographer knew that their image was being used as a lock screen image in Windows 10. They had sold their image to a photo agency and received compensation ranging from just under ten euros to about 150 euros. Famous landscape image came at a cost
The background images haven't always been as affordable. The Bliss desktop background of Windows XP, released in 2001, which is likely the most viewed and at least the most famous landscape, became Microsoft's property in 2000. The classic landscape was captured by National Geographic photographer Charles O'Rear in California's Napa Valley in 1996.
He has stated, among other things, to the Napa Valley Register in 2010, that Microsoft bought the rights to the image for a record sum. Due to contractual reasons, he cannot disclose the exact amount.
O'Rear took four shots of the landscape on film. He personally delivered the best one to Microsoft. The image was too valuable to be sent by insured courier service, so Microsoft provided O'Rear with plane tickets, and he delivered the image himself.
