This article was originally published on Kueez
From the Great Pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt to the Beatles preparing to walk across Abbey Road, there are iconic moments that cannot be forgotten. All of these moments are famous, but the photos that have been captured tend to only be from certain angles. Just like people, monuments and iconic moments have their good angles and their lesser-known angles. Take a walk on the other side of these iconic events and places, by having a look at them from above and behind, rather than in front, and prepare to have your mind blown.
Meet The Riddle Sharing Great Sphinx Of Giza In Egypt
Sphinxes are mythological creatures that have the head of a human, the body of a lion, tail included, and the wings of a bird, usually a falcon. In mythology, they tend to ask riddles and when answered correctly, provide access to the temple or other structure they are guarding. The Great Sphinx of Egypt is usually photographed from the front, where the ancient facade is on full display. However, the backside of the Sphinx is just as intriguing.
Visitors to the ancient site of Giza can see the feline tail that wraps all the way around the base of the sphinx. You don't truly realize just how big the ancient limestone guardian is until you walk all the way around it.
A Hiker Gazes At The Eruption Of Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens found in the state of Washington in the United States of America is an active volcano, that had its most memorable eruption on May 18, 1980. This hiker was out for a stroll on that date when they noticed that the volcano was beginning to erupt. As they stood on Mount Adams, which is 37 miles away, they were able to watch the eruption in all of its destructive glory. The before and after image of this hiker's emotions says it all.
Seeing an eruption like this is awe-inspiring, which is why the hiker ended up having to sit down as the mighty eruption happened right in front of them.
Passersby Notice What Is Happening At The Twin Towers On 9/11
Anyone who is old enough to remember the attack on the World Trade Center's Two Towers on September 11, 2001, remembers where they were as it was happening. One photographer decided to turn away from what was happening and look at the men, women, and children in New York City who were seeing firsthand what was happening. The resulting image is a powerful one, and each person watching the Two Towers is clearly in shock.
This is a moment in history that everyone remembers, and the emotions captured here, are the same ones felt by most of the world upon seeing what was happening.
Neil Armstrong Blasts Off To The Moon While His Family Watches
The Space Race between the United States of America and the Soviet Union was very real in the 1960s. On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin launched into space to make the important trip to the Moon, and subsequent landing. The families of the astronauts watched from afar as their husbands and fathers launched in Apollo 11. Pictured here, Armstrong's family watches him head to the Moon while aboard a boat nearby Kennedy Space Center.
The crew of Apollo 11 made it to the Moon, and successfully took one step for all mankind. It continues to be one of the most historic moments ever caught on camera.
The Exterior Of The Sewer Set In IT
In 1986, Stephen King terrorized readers with the novel IT, which introduced a supernatural monster that triggered a wave of coulrophobia (fear of clowns). One exceptionally scary scene in the movie is when the kids come face to face with their nemesis, Pennywise, in a sewer. In a series of creepy underground shots, the kids fight to save the children of their town who've been terrorized by him for decades. Ready to have the movie magic revealed?
Those iconic sewers the kids climbed and fought through was just this large wooden structure. We have to admit, it looks really awesome from the outside, too!
Michelangelo's Huge Statue Of David Surrounded By Bricks During WWII
During World War II many pieces of art were stolen or whisked away to be hidden and preserved. Michelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David, did not leave its home in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. Instead of trying to move the 5.17 meter high statue, art historians encased the statue in a brick shell designed to protect it from falling debris. The statue managed to weather the war, and it can still be seen today by tourists venturing to Florence.
When the war ended, the bricks used to protect David were then sold to support the Accademia and restore it back to its former glory. This kind of protection was quite modern for the era.
Photographer Charles Ebbets Caught Taking An Image Of Workers In The Sky
There are a variety of photographs that have become iconic images over the years, and Charles Ebbets' black and white image of workers eating their lunches on a piece of steel hanging in the sky is one of them. The man behind the lens has his own image though, which was captured by someone else on top of the skyscraper with him. Ebbets can be seen crouching with his camera, preparing to capture his career-making photograph.
It does make us wonder though, who is the person behind the lens that took this image of the photographer? It was taken by Thomas Kelly, Ebbets' friend who was there that day in 1932.
Spectators' Reactions To The Challenger Space Shuttle's Disintegration Upon Takeoff
Space continues to be the final frontier and is still largely unexplored. NASA and various other space exploration entities have invested trillions of dollars into space travel. Not every mission has been successful, and sadly, on January 28, 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle launch was one such unsuccessful mission. 73 seconds after taking off it began to break apart in the sky and the pieces could be seen falling into the Atlantic Ocean.
The malfunction of different pieces of the shuttle, and its disintegration were disastrous and ended in the passing of all seven crew members. For onlookers, it was horrifying to watch.
Look Behind The Golden Mask Of Teenage Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun
Egyptologist Howard Carter had been searching for an untouched tomb in the Valley of the Kings for years before he managed to find the treasure trove that was Pharaoh Tutankhamun's final resting ground. After examining the sarcophagus of the teenage king, it was found that his mummy had a beautiful golden mask on top of it. This mask has become one of the most well-known artifacts from this period of Egyptian history.
The mask is always photographed from the front, but the back of the mask is just as ornate. It features a plethora of hieroglyphs and a long wrapped portion of the headdress that pharaohs wore.
Painter Bob Ross Before He Permed His Hair And Beard
Painter Bob Ross was known for his upbeat personality and love of painting, which he shared with the world on his television show, 'The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.' While he was known for painting happy little clouds and other pretty landscape paintings, it was his hair and beard that made him instantly recognizable. Before he found fame as a television painter, he had straight hair and was clean-shaven, which rendered him also unrecognizable.
He can be seen here with his pre-Joy of Painting aesthetic. His new look involved him perming his hair and his beard, which was definitely an interesting choice for a television persona.
The Statue Of Liberty In Paris Before It Was Assembled
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It sits on its own island, called Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Before it graced the shores of Liberty Island though, it was showcased in multiple pieces at the Paris World Fair in 1878. Spectators were invited to view the various pieces that would later be shipped to America as a gift. The scale of each piece can be easily seen with people standing next to them.
Lady Liberty arrived on the shores of the United States of America on June 17, 1885, and her assembly began the same year. She can still be seen today.
Prince William Of England Caught At A Slightly Compromising Angle
Everyone has seen the pictures that make it look like someone is picking their nose, or holding up the middle finger when really it is all an illusion. After the birth of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge's third child, Prince Louis of Cambridge on April 23, 2018, he could be seen holding up what looks like the middle finger. In reality, this is just a side view of him making a very different gesture than what is initially shown.
From the front, Prince William is actually holding up three fingers, to show that he is now the father of three children. In the olden days, it was always important to have an heir and a spare, which he has now.
A Platoon Of Tanks On Their Way To Tiananmen Square
There are many parts of history that are more infamous than famous, and the events at Tiananmen Square in China are one of them. In 1989 a number of protests were held by students in the Square, which later led to the government sending in the military. Platoons of tanks were sent to the square, and this image shows them on their way to what would later become an event noticed by the world.
It is hard to understand the scope of military might at an event such as this, but this line of tanks shows just how much force was used during that time period.
The Beatles Preparing To Walk Across The Famous Abbey Road
The Beatles continue to be one of the most beloved bands of all time, and their fashion and record covers continue to be iconic. A lot of thought went into the shooting of the album cover on Abbey Road, and while most people have seen the image, it is the behind-the-scenes photos that tell more of the story of the shoot that day. The Beatles spent a lot of the day just hanging out on the sidewalk with each other rather than walking dramatically across the road.
Their outfit selections were not left up to chance either and were carefully curated for the photo. Their music speaks for itself though, and ultimately that is what lives on.
Go Behind The Taj Mahal For A Very Different Experience
The Taj Mahal is one of the greatest monuments to love ever built. It was built in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal whom he loved dearly. While it is a mausoleum, it is still considered to be one of the architectural jewels of the Mughal Empire. From the front, the majestic white structure is simply breathtaking, but from the back, it is an entirely different experience, and far less beautiful.
The river next to the Taj Mahal is full of garbage, which really takes away from the whole majesty of the place. Stick to the front of this structure to enjoy the view.
Is This The Real Life Or Is It Just Fantasy With Queen
There are some songs that will always be popular, and Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is one of them. The song itself is just under six minutes long, and it is pretty epic. During the filming of the music video, the four bandmates - Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon - used a lot of dry ice and smoke to create that hazy effect. It definitely gave the video that 1970s feel while still being totally original.
This is one of the still images taken during the filming of the video, and it shows each band member in all of their 1970s glory. The hair is definitely of the time.
A Pizza Hut With A Very Special View In Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza are one of the seven original wonders of the world and for good reason. These ancient tombs outside of Cairo, Egypt have withstood the sands of time, and continue to be one of the most visited tourist sites in the world. People need to eat, and Pizza Hut found one of the best locations in the world to install a franchise. After a long day of sightseeing, tourists can wander over for a deep-dish pizza and a view of the pyramids.
Most images only capture the pyramids themselves, but this one shows a different angle that definitely has a modern twist to it. The city and the pyramids live next to each other.
The Lincoln Memorial Before The Grounds And Surrounding Monuments Were Built
The Lincoln Memorial situated in Washington D.C. was built from 1914 to 1922 to commemorate the 16th President of the United States of America. The capital district was still being designed and built, which is why the reflecting pool and surrounding gardens and monuments are not yet in place. From afar, it looks as if no other buildings are in the area, although the White House had already been built by this time.
The marshy area in front of the monument would be turned into a reflecting pool in 1923 and can be seen by all visitors strolling along the area next to the pool.
An Aerial View Of The Sydney Opera House In Australia
Cities around the world are known for certain historic buildings and monuments, and for Sydney, Australia, the building that is most photographed is the Opera House. Construction started in 1959 and was completed in 1973. The design of the building was done by the architect, Jørn Utzon who favored the Expressionist style. The building is used today to host a number of performing arts productions like operas, concerts, and dance. It remains iconic.
Everyone sees it from the front, but the top of the building is just as unique. Instead of being wide, it is actually quite narrow which shows that t might not be as big as it looks from the outside.
Martin Luther King Gives His 'I Have A Dream' Speech
Martin Luther King remains one of the greatest speakers and thinkers of our time, and the culmination of his career was his 'I Have A Dream' speech. The speech was given at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and saw over 250,000 civil rights supporters descend on the Mall. This is a moment that goes into history books and most images are of King in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln, rather than from behind it.
To capture just how many people were at the talk, a photographer decided to photograph the even from over the shoulder of Abraham Lincon, which makes it look like he is actively listening.
Inside And Looking Up In The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Italy is known for its history, amazing cuisine, and buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower was designed by Bonnano Pisano and completed in 1372. It was designed to be a bell tower and was not supposed to be a leaning tower. From the outside, it is obvious that the tower is leaning a bit to the right, but from the inside, it is a very different view. In the past, visitors to the tower could go inside and walk up to the different levels.
This is no longer possible, but tourists can continue to pose with the leaning tower and enjoy its unique architecture. Engineering is important, and so is not building on soft ground, which is why the tower leans.
The Nirvana Album 'Nevermind' Baby Enjoying The Pool In Real Life
Nirvana had a short-lived stint in the world of music, and lead singer Kurt Cobain was largely responsible for the band's prowess. In a strange move, the band decided to use a picture of Spencer Elden, the baby in the image here who was enjoying some pool time. As soon as the album was released this cover became one of the most recognized in the world, and it continues to be talked about. Most recently, Spencer Elden who is now an adult has spoken out about the cover.
Elden is not a fan of the fame that this cover has brought to him, and feels as if it has exposed him to publicity that he did not get a choice as babies cannot provide consent.
An Aerial View Of The Majestic French Statue Of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty continues to be one of the most iconic statues in the world. Visitors to Liberty Island can enjoy going into the statue and taking in the view from the top, but there are no tickets for going up above the statue. To get that view, you either have to book a helicopter tour or use a drone to see an aerial view of Lady Liberty from above.
Her pedestal is symmetrical which makes for an even nicer aerial view, and with the sun hitting the statue just right, it almost gives Lady Liberty an ethereal air.
Getting The Intro To 'Star Wars: A New Hope' Just Right
Movies have always employed special effects, but they were not as sophisticated as they are now in 1975. When George Lucas brought 'Star Wars: A New Hope' to life the intro was one of the most unique ever seen. Those scrolling lines of text in front of a galaxy far, far away were not done with a traditional computer. Instead, the words were placed on the ground, and a film camera scrolled down them.
This technique is no longer used, as CGI is able to do pretty much anything effects-wise. However, it is cool to see what innovations were initially used.
Kim Il-Sung Of North Korea's Tumor On The Side Of His Head
While the current leader of North Korea is Kim Jong-un, the founder was Kim Il-sung in 1948. Kim Il-sung had a tumor roughly the size of a tennis ball on the right side of his head, which was never publicized. Any photographs taken of him were always from the left side, to disguise the tumor. It was not a cancerous tumor, but it was also never removed. Here Kim Il-sun can be seen from the left, and the tumor is on full display.
Within North Korea, images like this were not distributed publicly, however, crowds could still see the tumor whenever Kim Il-sung had public appearances.
Tiananmen Square Right Before The Now Infamous Image Was Taken
Many pictures were taken during the student-led protest in Tiananmen Square, China which was eventually broken up by the military. The iconic image associated with the incident pictures the man seen here on the far left is a picture known as the 'Tank Man' photo. Everything appears to be okay, but the line of tanks is quickly closing in on the square unbeknownst to the innocent bystanders. This was shown in a previous image.
Images like these of historical events are important, because they put faces to a cause, and show exactly what happened on certain dates which need to be remembered.
Contestants Come On Down To The Price Is Right Stage
The 'Price Is Right' is one of those game shows that many people in North America grew up watching. Bob Barker was the host up until 2007 when he was replaced by comedian Drew Carey. One of the segments that are always featured on the show, is the Price is Right Wheel. Contestants spin the wheel to see if they will make it to the final showcase with the big prizes. From the front, the Wheel looks pretty cool but the back is less exciting.
The back of the Wheel just shows that it is made of plywood, and all of the money was put into making the front look good. Hopefully contestants don't see this part.
A Photograph Of Artist Vincent Van Gogh In His Prime
The Impressionist era of painting was one full of lively color and slightly abstract images. Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh is considered to be one of the masters of this style, although he only sold one painting his entire life. This is ironic considering that his paintings now sell for millions. He painted a variety of self-portraits, but this sepia-toned photograph of the artist shows what he looked like in finer detail than his paintings of himself.
The artist did not have an easy life and spent some time working on his mental health in an asylum. His art was his escape, and his paintings are world-renowned now.
Behind The Scenes With The Film 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'
A lot of the scenes in the Star Wars franchise feature relatively small dioramas that have been built to exacting standards. These dioramas are the sets used for many of the special effects and scenes that call for alien backgrounds. In 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' there are a number of scenes shot in a gladiator-like setting in a coliseum. This coliseum was actually built on a much smaller scale, and tiny little alien characters were added in.
In the movie, it is not obvious that this is a small diorama until you watch the behind-the-scenes footage which shows it in all of its minute detail.
Two Young Female Students Standing At The Tiananmen Square Protest
By now, we all know what happened at Tiananmen Square in 1989, but many of the images that are shown are not of the peaceful student-led demonstration that was initially planned. These two young female students can be seen listening to speakers, as the group mourns the passing of a political figure who spoke about the rights of students. The young women look very serious as they stand in the square, and nobody was prepared for what came next.
The tanks would roll into the square shortly after this image was taken, and it would become a roiling mass of people trying to escape the military.
Right Place At The Wrong Time For The Dallas Shooter Photographer
As soon as an armed person enters a location whether it is indoors or outdoors, it is best to vacate the area. The Dallas Shooter or Micah Xavier Johnson was active on July 7, 2016, and took the lives of five police officers. A person was on top of one of the buildings near the courthouse where the shooter was and managed to capture a rare image of him and an innocent bystander hiding nearby.
This image is a slightly scary one. However, it is important to look at these images and ensure that acts of violence like this don't happen again. Civilians need protection during these times.
British Soldiers Destined For The Shores Of Normandy And D-Day
World War II may feel like a lifetime ago, but it has only been 77 years since D-Day occurred. The Normandy landings would be a divisive point in the war, and many lives were lost that day. Seen here, soldiers are aboard some boats destined for the shores of Normandy and the ensuing battler. They did not know what their fate would be, but they were prepared to serve their countries and bring an end to the war which is what everyone wanted.
Many lives were lost that day, and during the war itself but these images allow us to never forget the sacrifices that were made for freedom, which is never free.
Wandering Around The Set Of The Classic American Sitcom 'Seinfeld'
There are only a few sitcoms that stand out, and continue to be some of the most-watched on television. 'Seinfeld' and 'Friends' are the two that most people think about. Seinfeld was filmed on a soundstage like most sitcoms, which meant that each room in Seinfeld's apartment had to be built. The same went for the other characters like Kramer and George Costanza. While the show is no longer filming, the set continues to live on in everyone's memory.
Some special guests to the set were able to wander around and show off how the different rooms connected along to each other and some of the street scenes.
See The Faces Of All Of Mount Rushmore's Presidents From Afar
The concept for Mount Rushmore was dreamed up by the father and son duo, Gutzon Borglum and Lincoln Borglum. They were the artists charged with chiseling these presidential faces into the side of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Up close, the faces look humongous, but in reality, they are not quite as big as they seem. This far-away image shows what the presidential faces look like from afar, and they are dwarfed by the rest of the mountainside.
If you want to see Mount Rushmore in person, head to South Dakota's Black Hills region to get up close and personal with this monumental rockface.
The Beatles Hanging Out On The Rooftop During Their Concert
In 1969, The Beatles played a rooftop concert in Savile Row in London, England atop Apple Corps headquarters. They were dressed to the nines in the latest fashions and wowed the assembled crowd with their latest hits. At the time, it was a totally new way of sharing music with pop-up concerts being fairly normal now. The Beatles were always ahead of their time, and some enterprising photographer captured this great image of the concert from above.
Some of the songs played at this concert were, "Get Back, "Don't Let Me Down," and "I've Got A Feeling." This was one of the last great concerts before the band disbanded.
What Is Hiding Behind Painter Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa?
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci is arguably one of the most recognized pieces of art in the world. The painting hangs in the Louvre in Paris, France and millions of tourists come to view it each year. While everyone sees the front of the painting, and the secretive smile playing across Mona Lisa's face, it is rare that anyone gets to see the back panel of the painting. There is no matching work on the other side of the painting.
Instead, it is a simple board that features quite a few scuffs, and a few markings which were likely made by the great hand of the master himself.
A Fish Eye View Of The Boxing Match Between Ali And Liston
Muhammad Ali is one of the greatest if not, the greatest boxer of all time. During his match against Sonny Liston on May 25, 1965, in Lewiston, Maine he became a winner after knocking out Liston with a short hard right. Liston went down, and this fisheye image of the match was taken. It appears as if the whole world was present for the match when in reality it is just a small stage surrounded by hundreds of spectators.
Ali would go on to win many more matches, but this iconic image of the match has stayed in people's memories. It is artistic in a way most sporting event photos are not.
Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas And Remember To Do This
Las Vegas or Sin City as it is also sometimes known is oodles of fun when it comes to enjoying desert weather, gambling at casinos, and taking in a few shows. Every guest to this Nevada city gets to drive by the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign, but did you know there is another sign on the back of it? This sign is a little less inviting, but it does have an important reminder for everyone living and visiting Las Vegas to remember.
The back of the sign says, 'Drive Carefully - Come Back Soon.' Even Sin City wants people to be mindful of their driving and stay away from a vehicle if they are under the influence.
The Backside Of The Rosetta Stone And Its Mysterious Blankness
When the Rosetta Stone was rediscovered during the Napoleonic era in 1799, it was immediately apparent that it was something important. It has three different languages inscribed on it, which helped historians to accurately translate the hieroglyphs used by Ancient Egyptians. The three scripts included were hieroglyphs, demotic, and ancient Greek. The Rosetta Stone is currently on display at the British Museum in London, England where visitors to the museum can view it from all angles.
The back of the Rosetta Stone is not the same as the front of it. The rough-hewn rockface can be seen, but no script has been inscribed on it.
A Zoomed In View Of The Washington Monument's Pointy Capstone
The Washington Monument is an obelisk that sits along the National Mall. Construction on the monument began in 1848 but eventually ceased or around 23 years before it was started again. It is a total of 555 feet tall, which is pretty impressive. The capstone is composed of aluminum apex which was considered to be a very pricey material at the time. It is incredibly shiny, which can be seen in this zoomed-in shot of the capstone.
The capstone was subject to a number of lightning strikes when it was first placed atop the monument, which meant that a number of protective measures needed to be put in place.
Michael Richards Getting Into Character As Kramer On Sitcom 'Seinfeld'
Kramer played by Michael Richards in the sitcom 'Seinfeld' is one of the zaniest characters to ever show up on television. He always managed to make a dramatic entrance into Jerry Seinfeld's apartment, which required a lot of energy. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at Richard preparing to make one of his famous entrances. His body language shows that it took some psyching up to get into this infamous character.
There is a lot of magic that goes on behind the scenes, and this is just one of many images from the set. Kramer is wearing his traditional bowling shirt.