From A Different Angle: 35+ Photos That Offer A Fresh Perspective On Famous Things And Events

These lesser-known perspectives on important occurrences, artifacts, and places will offer you a rare look at behind-the-scenes moments very few have seen. Everything here hinges on your point of view. Shifting your perspective can truly make you reevaluate what you previously believed to be true, and, at the same time, it can also inspire innovation.

Frankly, we are enamored with that concept. It is what inspired us to create this list. It’s a unique approach to seeing history, art, and famous locations. We challenge you to set aside what you think you know because the things you are about to witness require a fresh frame of mind to perceive them. We hope the photos will pique your curiosity and teach you something new.

Jim Henson and Frank Oz behind the scenes of Sesame Street

If you own a television, you are probably familiar with these two beloved Muppets. They are the extremely well-known duo “Bert and Ernie” who are often regarded as the highlights of the long-running children’s television program, Sesame Street. Most of us grew up watching that show.

These two characters, in particular, have received a lot of onscreen time throughout the years. Pictured here are Jim Henson and Frank Oz, who are the men that gave life to the two characters. Jim Henson is holding “Ernie,” while Frank Oz is holding “Bert.”

The inside of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Looking at this is like throwing a brick at your expectations. The amazing Leaning Tower of Pisa is a revered global landmark and an architectural masterpiece. The infamous leaning condition of this ancient structure, which was finished in 1372, was caused by an unsteady base.

This picture shows the tower’s interior, which is apparently essentially hollow from top to bottom. Most impressive structures frequently have somewhat impressive interiors as well, but judging from this image, this one appears to be more fascinating from the external side.

The damage done to the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral

This image shows the severe harm the 2019 fire caused to the iconic French landmark, the Notre Dame Cathedral. In the late afternoon of April 15, 2019, the world was rocked by breaking news that the cathedral was on fire. It seriously damaged the cathedral’s upper section.

Fortunately, numerous firefighters arrived at the spot quickly and were able to prevent the fire from spreading. Before the whole Cathedral is made accessible to the general public again, more preservation and restoration work must be completed; estimates place the completion date at 2024.

Inside the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, 1986

The backstory of this image makes for a harrowing tale that terrified the whole world. This image was taken inside the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine in 1986 before the infamous disaster that has rendered the region uninhabitable for decades.

Even now, the plant continues to be decommissioned, and it will be quite some time before the cleanup of nuclear waste is completed. Experts previously predicted it would be finished around 2065, but with the Russian-Ukrainian War, it could take much longer.

The image that became the “Jumpman” logo

The Air Jordan logo, sometimes known as the “Jumpman” emblem, was a legendary addition to logo design in general. Nike owns the image, and it features Michael Jordan’s silhouette. He is one of the most prominent basketball players in the history of the NBA.

It is a manufactured photograph of the player and not a mid-game candid shot, which explains why it was not that well-known before it was transformed into a silhouette. Sources say it was produced for Life magazine to advertise the 1984 Olympics.

The crowds, as seen by Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa is considered to be one of the most expensive pieces of art in the world. The painting had an estimated insurance value of $970 million as of 2022. This priceless work of art by Leonardo da Vinci is displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

It receives visits from tourists from every corner of the world, thanks to its popularity. Although we are accustomed to seeing images of the painting, in this picture, we see it from the point of view of the Mona Lisa herself, showcasing how popular it is on any given day.

Now what could this be?

This photo appears to be a complicated and intricate monument of some sort, doesn’t it? But in fact, this is a perspective shot from the bottom gazing toward the top of one of the most well-known structures ever built. Have you figured it out yet?

Believe it or not, this is the Eiffel Tower. The photo was taken by someone inside the tower, which explains why the structure seems to have an intriguing geometry. This perspective shows a special stunning design that stands alone as a valid work of art.

A famous mountain before it was famous

This mountain might seem insignificant at first, but we assure you it’s not. What you see here is a picture of the renowned Mount Rushmore before the famous carvings. It was a huge rock before the four former US Presidents were added. The location has a lesser-known past.

The monument is sculpted on the sacred grounds of the Lakota Sioux. The six sacred directions — west, east, north, south, above, as well as below — are quite symbolic of this mountain, which was previously referred to as the Six Grandfathers.

What’s in the box?

The mystery surrounding the briefcase is just one of the many topics people are still discussing decades after watching Tarantino’s masterpiece, Pulp Fiction. We never learn about the contents of the luminous suitcase in the film, which has led to a variety of speculations from various individuals.

Well, today is the day. This light bulb and battery were inside the bag during filming, so that lessens the suspense somewhat. They’re what caused the glow to emanate from the strange contents “Vincent Vega” examined. On the question of what was really in the briefcase, only he knows!

The back of the Rosetta Stone

Although this picture doesn’t seem particularly remarkable, judging by the crowd of people gathering nearby, you may suspect that the front of the stone must represent something exceptional. This is the back of what is referred to as the Rosetta Stone.

It is among the oldest and most significant artifacts ever discovered. The stone is inscribed with three separate decree versions that went into effect in Memphis, Egypt, in 196 BC. The stone is written in three languages, including Ancient Egyptian and Greek.

Back of the Las Vegas sign

This is the back of the well-known “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Shocking, right? It is a landmark that was made famous by travel photos and is frequently seen in motion pictures, on television, and online. In films, you’re never in Vegas until you see this sign!

The sign is situated next to a tiny parking lot at the beginning of the Vegas strip. It’s 25 feet high and illuminated with neon lights at night. Despite how frequently we’ve seen this, we’ve never noticed the message on the rear that asks people to return soon, which most of them do!

Tut’s mask

This invaluable work of art, contrary to most famous pieces, is stunning from every perspective. You can tell that when the artist responsible worked on this piece, absolutely nothing was overlooked. The picture shows the rear of the golden funerary mask of Tutankhamun.

It was made sometime around 1300 BC after the image of the youngest Egyptian pharaoh, who is famous the world over. The significance of discovering this artifact cannot be overstated. We are lucky Howard Carter came across it before treasure hunters did.

Why the long face?

Nope! Nowhere in the movie does the xenomorph look like it has family problems. This creature from the legendary sci-fi film, Alien, probably didn’t take breaks! But the person who portrayed the xenomorph did. A Nigerian student named Bolaji Badejo was the one who wore the alien outfit.

As it happens, this was his first and only leading role — not that anyone would notice because of the suit! He appeared to have difficulty breathing while wearing the suit. So, he had to stop and compose himself frequently between takes.

Kind of like that Woody Harrelson scene from 2012

The two images below depict a major historical event. They show the Mount Saint Helens volcanic eruption in 1980, which happened in the Pacific Northwestern region of the United States. The hiker was looking at the view from the summit of Mount Adams.

Mount Adams is directly across from the volcano, as was the individual who took the shot. The man was actually driven to his knees by the shock. 57 people perished in the eruption, and there was a lot of damage to the natural environment, wildlife, and dwellings. 

How the text scrawl was made a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away

Looks like an electrician at work, right? But no, that’s not the case. This is how they made the famous Star Wars text scrawl shown at the start of each movie! Special effects back then required a lot of manual effort.

This is a photo of the process it took to make the text move over the screen at the beginning of each movie. Models were placed on the ground, and the camera was moved smoothly across them to give a scrolling appearance.

What could this be?

For a whole 23 years, this structure remained in the state pictured here. Unfinished. Can you try to identify this famous structure? Individuals who are familiar with American history could identify this as the Washington Monument. Kudos to you if you did!

If you couldn’t, don’t worry — it’s difficult to tell just from this photo. It remained unfinished between 1854 to 1877 while awaiting additional funds. The construction was finally completed in 1885, and the structure was officially opened in 1888. Seeing it like this really makes you appreciate how it looks now.

The effects of forced perspective

Most people who see this will immediately know which film it is. Will Ferrell’s 2003 holiday comedy Elf, which is enjoyed by children as well as adults, was a great success. These two images demonstrate what is required to make his persona appear considerably bigger.

He was a human among Santa’s elves, after all. To create this, the crew employed a strategy known as “Forced Perspective,” which minimizes the need for numerous special effects. It was even used for a couple of scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.

You wouldn’t believe who this is!

Would you believe that this flashy young man is Bob Ross? Yes, this is the same Bob Ross who drew beautiful and inspirational landscape paintings on TV. For 403 episodes, he entertained viewers on PBS, building a sizable fan base in the process.

However, the Bob Ross we were all familiar with lacked the picture’s neat hair. Instead, he rocked his signature, thick afro. The bigger surprise, though, is that his famous hairdo was actually a perm, even though his hair was naturally straight.

The back of Leonardo’s masterpiece

And we are back with more alternate views of one of the world’s most beloved pieces of art; the Mona Lisa. This art piece has been through it all, and we now can’t help but wonder if Leonardo DaVinci had the slightest inkling of how famous his painting would be.

What you see pictured here is the back of that famous painting. Seeing as it is well over 500 years now, we are not shocked that its back looks nothing close to new, let alone fancy. That said, it still doesn’t take away from its magnificence.

The Statue of Liberty, as seen from above

The Statue of Liberty can be seen from an aerial angle in this stunning photograph. That torch and crown are unmistakably those of the famous statue. The foundation is located on Liberty Island ( called Bedloe’s Island prior to the statue’s arrival).

You can admire the geometric design of the pedestal from this angle. The planning that went into this structure is quite apparent when viewed from above. When you merely stroll around its huge base, you might not notice the star-like form at the bottom.

World’s first kinder surprise

No, this is not a pill-shaped column. Neither is it a booth of some sort. But if your guesses included the words brick cocoon, then we might be getting somewhere. This strange bricked-up structure actually contains a very significant historical item inside.

WWII posed a significant threat to historical sites and other artifacts due to potential explosions. So experts came up with this solution to protect one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, “David.” They made a protective cocoon from bricks around the statue for its protection. 

Somebody call MiB!

What sort of extraterrestrial being is this? There’s no doubt in our minds that this is not from Earth. It’s somewhat disgusting, in addition to being far too strange. We cannot be the only ones who thought so when we first saw this picture.

We’re sure many of you aren’t expecting this to turn out to be an animal you frequently encounter. That’s because, thanks to the clear glass, we are able to observe it from the bottom. Now, what do you think it might be? (You are correct if you said a frog!)

So you think Toucans do this?

This is a toco toucan. It’s a brilliant and magnificent animal that has never been caught on camera, up close and personal like this. Tim Flach, a well-known animal photographer, took this picture. His catalog of works includes up close, incredibly detailed photographs of wildlife.

This particular picture is a component of his renowned global bird project. Flach frequently emphasizes on an animal’s resemblance to a human, particularly when that species is staring squarely into the camera, similar to how the Toco Toucan is doing in this image.

The domain of Pennywise

If you thought this was a model of a water treatment plant, well, you were kinda right! This is actually a realistic item from a film set. If you watched the 2017 movie IT, you must be familiar with the sewage scenes.

This was where those scenes took place. This and several other intricate sets were created over a long period of time for the supernatural horror movie, which is centered on Stephen King’s novel. No wonder the scenes felt so realistic!

The model of Mount Rushmore

This next one is quite obvious. To those whom it’s not, this image shows a considerably smaller replica of the 1936 cliff face sculpture on Mount Rushmore. The faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, as well as Lincoln were reproduced in this scale model.

This was actually going to be the final design of Mount Rushmore. But we’re glad they did the revisions needed for the final iteration. Gutzon Borglum was the artist responsible for the process of carving. But it was his son, Lincoln Borglum, who actually finished it.

This is real

This is not a manipulated image. You can enjoy a pepperoni slice in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza in the background. Many people are unaware of the fact that the Pyramids are located within such close proximity to Giza.

People are so accustomed to seeing perfectly staged images of them with nothing in the distance. But this photo shows how close to the real world the pyramids are. When viewed via a Pizza Hut window, the mighty structures almost appear to have lost some of their enchantment.

Oh, so that’s how they did that

Ghostbusters (1984) is beloved the world over. The movie, as well as its catchy song by Ray Parker Jr, is the stuff of pop culture royalty. Also, if you’re the kind of person who appreciates watching programs that explore how famous movies were made, you’ll adore this.

Ivan Reitman’s kooky comedy centers on a group of men who run their own “ghost-catching” company out of New York City. This photo is from the “stay puft” scene. Who can forget the giant “stay puft” marshmallow man? Well, this is how they did it.

How the Columbia logo came to be

The Columbia logo is as well-known as the MGM lion and the Warner Bros. logos. This particular one boasts a unique history because there wasn’t a model explicitly chosen for the part. The lady who we see before the film starts is graphic artist Jennifer Joseph.

She was employed by Michael Deas and opted to take the photograph during her lunch break because she was preoccupied with other responsibilities at the time. We doubt she knew just how famous it would eventually be. It was captured in New Orleans in 1992, and the rest is history.

Terrific tempest

Given that Jupiter is an inhospitable, gaseous planet, the weather shown here isn’t exactly the kind you would enjoy. But you can’t deny the fact that it is still magnificent based on how lovely this image is. You almost want to save the photo and frame it!

This is the result of a combination of different sunlit scans capturing the storms gathered by the Juno satellite. It used cutting-edge equipment to gather two hours of recorded information every 53 days and broadcast it back to Earth in order to construct this informational “artwork.”

The artist behind the art

Great photographers deserve the same recognition some of their photos get. As you will see in this next one, it is a unique pleasure to be able to observe the creators of stunning photographs right before they capture the perfect moment for the world to admire.

Charles Ebbets, a photographer well known for capturing the iconic image of 11 construction workers enjoying their break at the Rockefeller Center, is the subject of this shot. He was busy taking photographs when someone suddenly took a picture of him.

Moments before history was made

Anyone who is a fan of the Beatles will instantly recognize this image. It is clear that this photo was shot immediately before the classic Abbey Road album cover got snapped in 1969. That’s because the band members are standing on the side of the road instead of walking on it.

John Kosh, the album’s designer, as well as Iain Macmillan, a self-employed photographer and close friend of John Lennon, both took the iconic shot. They just had ten minutes to capture this well-known image. They clearly did well because that image and this road are the stuff of legend.

The one where they sit together and gossip

As far as furniture and sitcoms go, we’re pretty sure that nearly every one of you can recognize this sofa. If you are new to ’90s pop culture, then allow us to tell you. This is the Central Perk set that appears on the popular sitcom Friends.

The couch is the place where “Rachel,” “Monica,” “Phoebe,” “Ross,” “Chandler,” and “Joey” often gathered for a chat. Since we usually only see the setting in carefully staged sequences, seeing it entirely vacant from a height is quite an intriguing image.

How the MGM logo came to be

The MGM logo with the roaring lion and the “Ars Gratia Artis” slogan is well-known to anyone who has ever watched Hollywood movies. Although the lion is renowned as “Leo the Lion,” Jackie was presumably its original name. This photograph was shot in 1928.

Leo was handled by Mel Koontz. Though he was not the first choice, Leo ended up getting the job because he possessed the roar the company was searching for. Later versions of the roar included other sounds, like tiger noises, for added authenticity.

Behind the big wheel

The Price Is Right is undoubtedly one of the most beloved shows of all time. Now at over 50 years old, it’s still going strong and entertaining viewers from all over. Even those who have never watched a single episode can already guess what it’s about from the name.

Contestants are expected to guess the price of varied retail items in a series of different games. A huge part of it involves spinning a large wheel on the stage. Though we are all used to seeing the front of it, we doubt you’ve seen how it looks from the back. You’re welcome!

Feels weird to see Niagara like this

It is so strange to see a natural attraction that is normally overflowing with water so sparse, dry, and lifeless. This aerial photograph of Niagara Falls from 1969 wasn’t taken accidentally. It was all thanks to an engineering endeavor that started in 1950.

It culminated in the diversion of the falls’ flow through numerous submerged tubes. Ecologists argue that this was to be a bad idea since it could do further harm to the falls in the future to have humans interfere with nature in such a manner.

Now that’s impressive

This is the Hoover Dam before it was filled with water, and “Megatron” was housed there (just kidding). It’s so incredible to see without any water, and the view allows you to truly appreciate just how large the structure is.

The dam is situated within the Black Canyon’s Colorado River region and took half a decade of arduous labor to complete. This photograph was taken in 1936, the year it was finally finished. According to reports, a little over 100 people reportedly died while building the dam.

A memorable day on the lake

Usually, Yale Lake is a picturesque destination that receives a lot of visitors thanks to the views and opportunities for water sports and swimming. That’s probably the reason why this hapless guy chose to go enjoy himself there on this unfortunate day.

His name is Jim Hobson, and the day was May 18, 1980. That was the day Mount Saint Helens erupted, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake. He was only 19 at the time, and according to him, he and his friends didn’t think much of it when they first saw it.

Moments before glory

Here is a photo that shows an alternative view of one of the most famous events in WWII. In the original image, six American marines can be seen erecting the American flag atop Mount Suribachi while the Pacific War’s decisive combat is taking place.

This one shows the six heroes preparing to raise the flag just before that well-known photograph was shot. It is unknown if Joe Rosenthal, the photographer responsible for the iconic image “Raising the flag on Iwo Jima,” also captured this picture.

Nope! These two aren’t who you think they are!

Have you ever questioned the factual accuracy of the two people in the well-known American Gothic painting? Well, we found something that could settle those doubts! What you see here is a picture of the painting’s models posing next to the painting.

Grant Wood selected Byron McKeeby, his dentist, along with his sister Nan as the models for the two persons posing in front of the house. Most people mistakenly believe it to be a married couple. If you were among them, now you know better.

The day the earth stood still

The world paused to observe this brave act. It was emblematic of rising up for peace because this man actually put himself in harm’s way. The long row of tanks in front of him is not truly visible in the famous picture.

That’s because it is primarily focused on the individual and one vehicle. This photograph, which was snapped in June 1986 in Tiananmen Square in China, is one among many that were withheld from the general public for a considerable amount of time.

One small step for man…

The emotional experience of reentering the Lunar Excursions Module shortly after walking on the surface of the moon is captured in this unique photo. Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong’s partner, snapped this private photo of the astronaut minutes after the pair returned from their monumental stroll.

The photo shows Neil with tear-streaked eyes. Thanks to it, we are able to see the impact the moon landing had on this great man (similar to how it was for the rest of the globe) and what an incredible sensation it must have been to experience that special honor.

Looks like a pair of giant sabatons

What you see here is a direct aerial view of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The perspective is quite similar to the one gazing below at the Statue of Liberty that appeared earlier on this list. The structure was initially designed by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon.

It was later finished by a group of Australian architects under the direction of Peter Hall. In 1973, it was formally inaugurated. The Opera House routinely hosts musical performances, ballets, and various other events. It also serves as a popular tourist destination.

The apex of the monument

We mentioned the Washington Monument in a previous slide, stating that at some point during its construction, work was temporarily halted for a couple of years as the workers awaited funds. Now, here is a photo of the top of the monument.

This is not something a lot of people can say they’ve seen before. At least not up close in real life. But, if you have ever wondered what the top of that obelisk looks like, this is it. Unfortunately, the monument gets struck by lightning often, so it’s undergone several renovation efforts over the years.

What’s with the tail?

From this perspective, it appears to be a big rock, which it sort of is. But what this image actually shows is the rear of the Great Sphinx of Giza. It’s frequently captured from the front, but from the back, it’s almost indistinguishable.

The sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion’s body and a human’s head. Here, it is seen featuring the head of the pharaoh Khafre. The structure was sculpted during Pharoah Khafre’s reign. Today, it is regarded as one of Egypt’s oldest monumental sculptures.

You’re witnessing history

We were under the impression that we had seen every video clip and photo from this important historical event. That was until we spotted this unique angle of the “I Have a Dream” speech. That speech was truly a monumental event in the history of America.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a sizable gathering of approximately 250,000 individuals while being photographed from all sides. This view looks over the audience and stage performers from directly behind the Lincoln Statue. Just look at that crowd!