Amateur Photographer – 20 July 2019

subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 20 July 2019 33

interests, famines, wars,
pestilence don’t show from that
distance.’ The sight of Earth
from space had a profound
effect on all three astronauts
but, more importantly, it had
an effect on the general public
too. Shortly after their return,
‘Earthrise’ was printed across
a double-page spread in LIFE
magazine and went on to
inspire environmentalists.

An image that transcends

the photographer

Part of the photograph’s success

is that it strengthens our

emotional connection to Earth

• it reminds us that we are all
  citizens of a beautiful, fragile
  planet. Anders never intended
  to sway public opinion or
  provide scientific insight with
  his picture; he simply wanted
  to share his excitement with the

world. As such, he is modest

about his part in the creation of

the picture. ‘I don’t take much

philosophical artistic credit,’ he

said in an interview for Go

Project Films. ‘I just happened

to be there, had the camera,

wanted the colour film and

took the picture.’ This is one

instance where the image

transcends the photographer.

Once Anders handed over the

film, the picture was developed,

rotated, cropped, and

distributed to the media

worldwide. It should have been

a game changer; it should have

prompted change, but that

change has yet to come.

To find out more see Earthrise: The Story

of the Photo That Changed the World,

http://www.goprojectfilms.com, or visit NASA

at http://www.nasa.gov.