Timothy H. O’Sullivan – Battle of Gettysburg
This photograph has become synonymous with The Battle of Gettysburg, which was the most bloody battle of the American Civil War. Photographer Timothy H. O’Sullivan documented and recorded the battlefield, and this picture became a sensation. For many, this was their first chance to see, first hand, the true extent of the Civil War. However, it was not until 40 years after the battle that the pictures were mass produced, as photo-engraving had not been established. The picture shows dead confederate soldiers on the battlefield, and has earned its place in history as an iconic photograph.
Lawrence Beitler – Lynching
Lawrence Beitler took this iconic photograph on August 7, 1930, showing the lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. It sold thousands of copies, which Beitler stayed up for 10 days and nights printing them. It has become iconic over the years as it is one of the best and most recognisable images of lynchingwhich at the time was commonplace, but now serves only as a reminder of the pre-Civil Rights era. The photo shows a crowd that have turned out to view the lynching, and the audience a mixture of anger and fulfillment. The photo was so popular it has been the inspiration for many poems and songs down the years.
Joe Rosenthal – Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is an historic photograph taken on February 23, 1945, by Joe Rosenthal. It depicts five United States Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag of the United States atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. It became the only photograph to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in the same year as its publication, and came to be regarded in the United States as one of the most significant and
recognizable images of the war, and possibly the most reproduced photograph of all time.
Alberto Korda – Che Guevara
Alberto Korda’s well known photograph of Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, titled ‘Guerrillero Heroico’ or ‘Heroic Guerrilla’ has become a symbol of the 20th centry. It shows Che, as he was known, at a memorial service for victims of the La Coubre explosion. The picture depicts the then-31 year-old’s stoic and character and now appear on T-shirts, tattoos, murials and walls all around the world. Despite being one of the most reproduced images in history, Korda, a lifelong Communist and supporter of the Cuban Revolution, claimed no payment for his picture. The rights of the picture are now disputed. Still, it remains
one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century.
Eddie Adams – Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing Nguyễn Văn Lém
Most of the iconic images of the 20th and 21st century have owned their photographers Pulitzer prizes for their work, and this image is no exception. Eddie Adams was famous for his portraits of celebrties and for being a prolific photojournalist, having been in 13 wars. However, possibly his most famous image is of the execution of Nguy?n Van LÈm by Nguy?n Ng?c Loan during the Vietnam War. Adams later apologized in person to General Nguyen and his family for the irreparable damage it did to Loan’s honor while he was alive.
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Moon Landing
Possibly the most talked-about, debated and controversial picture in history, the picture of the moon landing has been seen as a feat of human engineering at its best, and has been speculated as a hoax by contractors of the event. Those in doubt of the authenticity of the picture have come up with many suggestions as to why and how it might have been faked. However, none of the accusations have been proved correct and the debate continues in some circles. For many, though, it provides a sense of accomplishment and acheivement by the human race to send a man to the moon, which for years was considered an impossibility. The American flag also installs national pride in the US as the winners of the so-called ‘Space Race’, and their establishment as the world’s one remaining super power.
Richard Drew – The Falling Man
“The Falling Man” is a photograph taken by Richard Drew at 9:41:15 a.m., on September 11, 2001 of a man falling from the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks in New York City. The man in the photohraph remains unknown. Many people find the image disturbing because it is a horrific image of what people had to resort to during the attacks. The picture is deceptive, however, as it suggest that man was falling straight down, however, this is just one of many photographs of his fall. It is evident from these other pictures that he tumbling out of control.
Huynh Cong Ut – Napalm Strike
This photo of a naked and terrified young girl running towards Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Nick Ut has entered popular culture as a symbol of the horror of the Vietnam War. It was taken during the American bombing of the village of Trang Bang, Viet Nam. However there has been much controversy over the events depicted in the photo. It is suggested that American bombers had nothing to do with this event and that there have been many derogatory and misleading comments about the American troops in regard to this photo. Nevertheless, it is said that this photo ended the war in Vietnam and served as an icon for the peace movement that was prevelent in the 1970s.
Stanley J. Forman – Fire on Marlborough Street
On July 22, 1975, Stanley J. Forman took this infamous photograph while working for the Boston Herald. He climbed on the back of a fire truck as it raced towards a reported fire at Marlborough Street. Just as the crew had arrived at the scene, a young woman and small girl fell from an apartment above. The woman died instantly, but the young girl lived. This photo earned Forman a Pulitzer prize, and in addition, convinced Boston and several other cities to introduce more comprehensive fire safety laws.
Tank Man – Jeff Widener
Often considered the most iconic photograph in history, ‘tank man’ or ‘the unknown rebel’ shows an act of courage and defiance and earned the anonymous man widespread fame. It took place during the protests at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, and has subsequently become a symbol of the end of the Cold War era, and one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century. Four people claim to have took photos of the event, but the most reproduced image, and the most famous was by Jeff Widener.
Mike Wells – Uganda
This example of emotive imagery is of child in Uganda holding hands with a missionary. The stark contrast between the two people serves as a reminder of the gulf in wealth between developed and developing countries. Mike Wells, the photographer, took this picture to show the extent of starvation in Africa. He took it for a magazine, and when they went 5 months without printing it, he decided to enter it into a competition. However, Wells has stated that he is against winning a compeition with a picture of a starving boy.
Kevin Carter – Vulture Stalking a Child
This shocking photo depicts a starving Sudanese child being stalked by a patient vulture. It is a horrific picture that gave people a true look at the dire condition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kevin Carter, who took the photo, won a Pulitzer Prize for this work. Kevin then came under a lot of scrutiny for spending over 20 minutes setting up the photo instead of helping the child. Three months after taking the photo, he committed suicide.
Nice info and collection..thanks indeed for sharing..really looking forward to it
Thanx for sharing, both pictures as comments!!
Why wasnt Migrant Mother on this list!?
Wow, gotta love all the “why didn’t the photographer jump in and help???” comments. First of all, your job as a photographer is not to interfere, that is the business of the military and the red cross. Your job is to document what is happening. Second, in any photograph you are getting only one moment frozen in time; who’s to say they didn’t step in after snapping a shot. And third, I’d love to see any of you basement dwellers spewing off at the keyboard enlist as a military photographer, the job entails stepping into a war zone–often on the front lines–armed with nothing but a camera. Let’s see how inclined you are then to step in and do something. My guess is that nine out of ten of you would probably shit your pants. I know I probably would.
To all the people who have pulled these pictures apart physically aand metaphorically. Get a life. Just appreciate the images for what they are and what they represent. Stop pulling everything apart just because it’s not perfect. If you want perfection, you’ll be looking forever. Get over yourselves.
The biggest problem in the last 100 years has been too many people pushing buttons, taking pictures, and getting awards instead of fucking helping others.
I Totally Agree with JAMES
civil war picture is titled “A Harvest of Death” good thing that slipped through the cracks because 75 people needed to reiterate the fact that the iwo jima picture was staged. gotta love internet photo historians.
Taking a picture and showing the world what is happening can do a lot more than trying to rescue a single person.
For instance, it made you more aware that there are people that need help.
^
I agree with this person. And it’s not like the photographers can’t help after the picture. But without these pictures, people can choose to ignore all the crap that is going on around them because they can’t see it. By taking these photos, people can be pushed to action, so instead of just saving one life, hundreds can be saved.
shocking pictures………..It shows the ultimate limits of who we are and what we are capable of.
I “stumbled” on this site. I’m extremely upset that this site didn’t come with any graphic content warning.
I understand the artistic and sociological value of these photographs. However, they are not the kind of thing to be shoved in your face when you are unprepared.
Whitesquall – Where did you hear that? I’ve studied this photograph in a few courses and have never heard that information.
Missnobody – The sad fact is that people EVERY DAY ignore these events (and many others with photographic evidence). It’s really sad, isn’t it?
Oh, and pffft. He did NOT step in afterwards. As a photographer, his job is to capture images, emotions and portray art. It is not to “document” alone. There was nothing stopping him from stepping in after the photograph was taken. His presence there had already ruined the way life “normally” was, so why didn’t he step in. If I saw a person dying in the street, I could easily walk away and say “oh, it’s not my job”. But that’s inhumane. To leave someone to die when you can possibly save them is wrong. This was not a war zone. He was in no danger by helping that poor child. Could he have changed the situation in Sudan? Probably not. But who knows? At the very least, he could have saved the life of one child. Which to me, is worth more than anything. I suppose that’s just who I am though.
I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve offered for your post. They are very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very quick for novices. Could you please prolong them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.
OK…the last pick got me….theirs was just no food there idk an i just dont understand thers just non children malnourished like that an people are there too take picks off them but there’s just noooo foood…damm thats verry sad.
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This is ’12 Of The Most Iconic Photographs Ever Taken In The Eyes Of Americans’ not ’12 Of The Most Iconic Photographs Ever Taken’. Many examples but one that is striking is the Soviets raising the flag over the Reichstag is far more iconic than the Iwo Jima one.
Some of these photos bring pride in america and others just wrench your heart! The last one of the starving child was just awful to see.
Everybody is a critic.
True story:
The photo famously known as “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” by Joe Rosenthal is actually the second. The first “take” of the photo was with the platoon’s flag plus one soldier. The leader of the platoon decided to use the ship’s flag instead, and took a second picture, which is the one everyone knows about today.
The first picture was given to the soldier not in the second picture, who was a good friend of Rosenthal, and my grandfather.
Reading through everyone’s comments I became more and more disturbed. I am at an age where I can pretty much remember all the events captured in the photographs with the excepetion of the civil war. I find it a sad statement about the human condition that so much pain, sorrow, and suffering can take place within one lifetime and that the majority of that suffering is through our own doing or failure to do.
There is no beast on this earth more malignant than man. Man was ‘blessed’ with free will. I would like to see more photographic evidence of man using free will for the betterment of this world. Name calling serves no useful purpose.
Proof of why photographs are so important, they tell history not to mention share events with the world, great set.
I was a Navy photographer and seeing such carnage was almost a daily event. Doing this was my job, and the people who sent me out had a reason for doing so. War is so horrible that there are no words adequate to express the horror of it. I’ve had to live with this, and it wasn’t easy. I have very little respect (as “in None”) for people who critiicize and pass judgement on others who were “there’, and because they weren’t there, they don’t know what they are talking about.
the last one bring me into tears ….
The falling man is the head chef from the top floor restaurant, so he doesn’t remain unknown, there was a doctumentary about it. Also, these are very biased to americans and some of them are not very well known, never mind ‘iconic.’
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These are some of the most disturbing pictures but reminders of what our country has gone through over the years. I have always been touched by the picture of the little child being stalked by a vulcher. This is a reminder that everyone needs to do their part to help others around the world.
Lil Man, your comment of “That’s gross and the pictures are not good”….. how old are you? Obviously not old enough to look at what these pictures represent rather than just the pictures themselves.
The copy under these photographs is not well written, edited or proof-read. To present important works like these with half-finished, grammatically incorrect copy is just wrong. Just because it’s on the web doesn’t mean it has to be semi-literate.
“Che”: The picture depicts the then-31 year-old’s stoic and character and now appear on T-shirts, tattoos, murials and walls all around the world.
“Lynching”: … It sold thousands of copies, which Beitler stayed up for 10 days and nights printing them… The photo shows a crowd that have turned out to view the lynching, and the audience a mixture of anger and fulfillment.
An interesting collection of photos that all tell a story in their own right. Sparked some challenges from readers which is a good sign.
life is so bad some time
ty for such post 
hearting pictures……………………………….
Great work.There is nothing to impossible.
Great compilation. We did a list that specifically tried not to use the legendary images, but show other photos that are just as important. I hope you don’t mind if I post a link to that. Feel free to post a comment on my site as well.
http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-pictures-that-shocked-the-world.php
just horror
I wish I could have looked at these pictures and fully embrace the significance of human suffering without having my mind contaminated by the most ignorant people commenting on them. Thank you to all those putting in the time and effort to even attempt to correct many of these ignorant comments (bringing religion into a completely irrelevant topic, if you believe in the god bullshit or not, we can agree on freewill, this is it’s consequence). There is no room for induction when someone is using 12 pieces of empirical evidence in front of you. Amazing works of art, not iconic in my view but for sure say more than words ever could. Thanks to those (like me) who find ignorance as a pet-peeve and take the time to try to rid the world of it one comment at a time but lets be real… Some of these people are make-you-say-wow idiots.
“These were photoshopped???” hahahaha doesnt get any stupider than a comment like that :p
THE DARKER SIDE OF HUMANITY … SAD BUT TRUE!! THE SUFFERING OF THE CHILDREN REALLY TUGS AT MY HEART-STRINGS … AND IT REALLY HAS NOT CHANGED THAT MUCH TODAY! WHAT HAVE WE LEARN’T FROM THE PAST?.. NOTHING!! GREED; WAR; POWER…HAS ALOT TO BE DESIRED
@James (#4), you are an idiot.
One of the greatest things of the last 100 years is that someone photographed the holocaust. As so many try to deny it now, it is indisputable.
Without photographs it would be much easier to forget, it only takes a generation.
I’m a retired Marine Corps officer and have read and studied the flag raising ‘controversy’ in depth. Rosenthal adamantly denied that the second photo was staged and Staff Sgt. Genaust’s video footage clearly shows how the events unfolded and that Rosenthal was not staging the flag raising, but obviously posed the “Gung Ho” group shot. The word staging has a completely different meaning as the second flag was raised because the first one was considered too small. This has been chronicled incalculable times. Both flags are displayed on an alternating basis at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
Ryan, 16:
I suggest to misuse the word YOUR instead of YOU’RE, a third grade contraction for YOU ARE and swearing weakens your attempt and is hilarious!
techxactdubai,102: I have to assume you are a child or just kidding.
Mattias, 123 – There may be a half dozen that could have made the list, but certainly NOT a lot!
Sphxy, 151 – You are illiterate and your sophomoric comments and swearing need no response.
Kuppster, 169 – You are a disgrace to the human race!
Orange, 213 – WRONG! Do you know when Photoshop was invented in relation to MOST of those photographs?
Wooslby, 243 – You have the funniest comment and you win! How IRONIC you can’t spell ICONIC.
Anon, 264 – Nice try, but Rosenthal’s photograph is arguably the MOST reproduced photograph off all times, whereas Reichstag rarely makes most lists.
I am awed. I agree with the comment that I should have gone on to another page without going through the comments section. While these photographs might not meet up to your expectations (I am directing this reply first at the critics), they endeavour to depict the human condition in the mot vivid ways possible irrespective of whether they are popular or known to you or not. I find the Tank Man to be especially striking. it also serves to argue against your cause. the man was captured during his passive revolt in solidarity with the Tiannamen Square protesters, one day after the main event had occurred and seeing vividly for himself the consequences at the time of such an act. A similar event is regarded by India as their moment of definition where Gandhi defied the salt law. But scarcely anyone in china today is completely aware of what happened on this day and most Chinese youths are truly surprised to see this picture of what should be one of their national heroes for the first time. I suppose it would be incorrect then for a Chinese to say that the photo is not iconic because he has never seen it prior to now…
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One of the biggest questions asked about photographers is why don’t they help these people? In many cases the reason is clear, sometimes its in the heat of the moment. I come from a family were my father worked as a photographer for AP BNS and the Star Ledger, and because of this most of our family friends a photographers. Among those friends included Eddie Adams, the man who took the execution shot, this man was a in a delicate situation that lasted only a second. Many of these photos are taken in that millisecond, my father being proof, and often times these pictures are taken in war zones and delicate situations. Such as the 9/11 photos of which my father new many of the photographers including one man who was nearly killed, another example would be of the photographer who was killed in the middle east of which my father met a couple of times. Now I’m not saying that every situation is justifiable in not taking action! You all need to simple think about the situation that those people were in at the time!
Sincerely,
The daughter of a photojournalist.
PS yes there was photoshop back then! It was called multiply exposures! Visit the met and see for yourself!
The picture of the naked, burned girl running away from the Vietnamese village, Trang Bang, is of Kim Phuc. She survived, after being left for dead in a morgue. I had the privilege of hearing her speak about 2 years ago. As she tells her story, she has additional pictures, including moving footage, of the bombing of Trang Bang. Many years later, she was invited to speak at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington on Memorial Day. That day, Kim actually met the officer who called for the bombing of Trang Bang, and she has videotape of their initial meeting and an interview that was done with the 2 of them later. It is astonishing to watch – her ready forgiveness and then him finding redemption after years of immense guilt. When the bombing occured, the picture of Kim appeared on the front of Stars and Stripes a day or 2 later. This officer saw that picture, knew he had called for the bombing and his life was never the same after that. If you ever get a chance to hear her speak, I highly recommend it.
great post thank you and it must have been an honor to see her speak