The Gender Defining Moment 1954

While nowadays there may be a number of ways to detect the gender of the unborn child in the 50s, pregnant women could get to know the same by getting their tongues analyzed in labs to know the same. Jane Dill's child's gender detection has been saved for posterity as the doctor says it is a girl. It is Wallace Kirkland who got to capture the moment.

The moment has been perfectly captured by Kirkland. There was a lab in Northbrook, Illinois, that made the parent's dreams possible!

Sailor Kissing a Nurse, 1945

This was a famous photo of a sailor kissing a nurse right in the middle of Times Square and is a story that is not bandied around much. Alfred Eisenstaedt was a click-happy photographer who photographed civilians who were riding the happiness wave after World War II, and he captured the couple indulging in a kiss before everyone.

There is an interesting backstory about the kiss, as the guy who planted a kiss on the woman's lips was seen kissing a lot of women on the street, this was the best kiss captured by the ace photographer.

Against Color Discrimination, 1955

This picture represents a perennial fight against the color barrier. Jackie Robinson was in the rounding third base to ensure that the Brooklyn Dodgers are the absolute winners in the 1955 World Series.

Ralph Morse captured the iconic moment when Robinson was beating the Yankees, but it was not just a winning moment, they captured so much more. Robinson was also a chief advocate of civil rights. He joined the color discrimination fight for ages until he earned the distinction of being the first African American to play in the major leagues. No wonder he received immense respect from his loved ones all over the world.

Funeral, 1945

Navy Chief Petty Officer Graham Jackson always entertained Franklin D. Roosevelt every time the erstwhile President paid a visit to Warm Springs. He got an opportunity to play for Roosevelt’s visit on April 12, 1945.

Although Jackson got to play the accordion, however, it was at Roosevelt’s funeral. The Navy Chief couldn't stop his eyes from misting over as he strummed on the guitar the two songs, Goin’ Home and Nearer My God to Thee.

Picture Perfect Hells Angels, 1965

In 1965, photographer Bill Ray shot two Hells Angels members having a good time at the bar. Ray spent a considerable amount of time with the gang until he was able to can the perfect shot. The guys did look drunk but still, the pictures were candid and came out beautifully.

But that was not all, even if Ray’s work was top-notch, LIFE failed to publish these pictures as editors said that no one was interested in watching their pictures.

A War Prisoner, 1945

War photographers seldom have it easy, especially clicking photos of war-ravaged places. Everyone there had to face the consequences of war. Carl Mydans was one of them, as the Japanese captured him in 1941.

Meydan's work was primarily based on LIFE on General Douglas MacArthur, saying that he would return and check on the Philippines, he has been a war prisoner for two years and took time out to click such relevant and telling pictures.

The Legendary Shot of Frank Sinatra, 1964

The American singer and actor,  Frank Sinatra also nicknamed the chairman of the Board, was a much sought-after person. The photographer John Dominis was keen to photograph him and spent months keeping a tab o Sinatra’s activity that was gradually published in LIFE.

Dominis captured Frank in all his steamy glory, yes he was taking a steam bath. He was trying to refresh and rejuvenate himself after a night of revelry at the bar, not that he was drunk!

A Day Out for Robert. F. Kennedy, 1968

President Robert F. Kennedy cleared his head before he got back to work in the morning with his dog, Freckles in tow. Bill Eppridge caught Robert F. Kennedy enjoying his moment of peace in the wee hours of the morning. Sadly it was one of the last photos taken of the presidential candidate.

As we all know how he was killed at the hands of a Jordanian civilian. The man was gone too soon, but actually, his legacy was captured forever and ever thanks to this photo featured on the Cover of LIFE.

Sugar Ray Robinson in Training, 1950

Not many know that Sugar Ray Robinson's actually known as Walker Smith jr,  he is also one of the best boxers of all time. He started competing from 1940 to 1965, and this was one picture that clicked during the peak days of his career.

Ralph Morse was the one to train Sugar Ray Robinson to achieve super athleticism. One of the best shots of the maestro is of him flying in the air, eight inches off the ground, looking his athletic best.

The Charming Side of Audrey Hepburn, 1953

The gorgeous Audrey Hepburn is always a photographer's delight. Mark Shaw got an opportunity to photograph this iconic actress in her candid avatar. Audrey was just 24 years old then and Mark spent the day with her shooting her in all her glory going through her day without any starry tantrums.

It was one of the peak phases of her career and Audrey was enjoying her newfound success. She was one of the few actresses who could make even a plain white shirt look impossibly glamorous.

The Rebellious Part of James Dean, 1955

Photographer Dennis Stock may have taken many photos in his life but none that was as hard-hitting as this one that of the late American actor James Dean. Dean cuts a lonely figure in theTimes Square under the rain.

Strangely, this picture was taken in 1955, the year when Dean met with a tragic death thanks to a car accident in California. The picture speaks a thousand words representing his rebel spirit as he skips the umbrella to get drenched in the rain.

Youthful Audience at a Paris Puppet Show, 1963

No photos are created equal, there are ones when the subject of the photo gives a measured look, not a hair out of the place, then there are photos that are so candid that you experience an immediate connection with the photo. Photographers like Alfred Eisenstaedt know exactly how to click on the pulse of the photo, it's all about the instinct, not the expensive camera that does the trick sometimes.

Alfred didn't let an opportunity go waste as he clicked young children enjoying a puppet show at a park in Paris. The expressions are interesting while one child is goofy the other is scared and the other can't contain his exuberance.

Richard Nixon As An Attorney, 1946

There are some interesting tidbits about presidents, they have such a towering persona as a president that people hardly recognize their true selves. Something similar can be said of the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon who was an attorney before turning president. Here he is photographed in 1946, while he was running a campaign for Congress.

This was a time when Nixon was taking baby steps into the world of politics. It's nice to the person behind the confident polished exterior.

Capturing the Stunning Icons At The Academy Awards, 1956

This photo is gorgeous and why not when the subject are two of the most stunning and alluring actresses in the Hollywood industry? Allan Grant sure deserves a pat on the back for clicking the inimitable Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly at the Academy Awards, as they wait for their turns to go up the stage.

The interesting thing to note here is the duo never worked together and look drop-dead gorgeous in their customized gowns. The fact they are not looking at the camera and is their natural selves caught in their thoughts is what makes it so special.

Humane Images of World War 11, 1946

Eugene Smith is one of the few photographs that caught the candid images of World War II in the best possible way. He was such a dedicated photographer that he often got injured while he was capturing all the battle-worn images.

When he got injured after taking violent photos he decided to change tactics and click photographers for something positive. Like this one here, where he took photographs of Patrick and Juanita. The kids are walking towards the light leaving behind the shadow of death and despair, it was the sign of a new beginning.

The Ultimate Diva Marilyn Monroe, 1962

Marilyn Monroe was truly an enigmatic Hollywood personality. She was someone whom you couldn't put in the constraints of conventions. Here she is performing at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962. She was singing on President JFK’s birthday.

Bill Ray took a priceless shot of her singing, Happy Birthday. The shot clicks her in all her sensuous avatars. The President and the artist were then having a roaring affair, and strangely both of them were gone too soon. Here the diva is looking drop-dead gorgeous in her slinky shimmering gown.

Dynamic Speech by JFK, 1960

John F. Kennedy was 43 years old when he was selected as the youngest president America ever had. Photographers of popular magazines such as LIFE went on to become part of various JFK campaigns and appearances.

In 1960, in West Virginia, Kennedy went on to deliver an outstanding speech when Hank Walker clicked him. In those days security wasn’t mandatory as it is now. Here Kennedy is looking young and vulnerable giving speeches from the chair, alone, without any security support amidst a crowd.

Shot of Airplane Douglas 4, 1939

Photographer Margaret Bourke-White has always been a pro at clicking gorgeous aerial pictures. All her photographers came out really well capturing the throbbing beauty of the city. The city looked so different from the top, vibrant and bustling with life.

This photo in particular is the 1939 shot of airplane Douglas 4 flying over Manhattan city representing which was successful in representing her love for architecture and her love for aerial shots. The city looks breathtaking, doesn't it? No wonder her aerial shots were much sought-after.

Drive-in to the Paramount Theater, 1958

While drive-in cinemas are one of the most popular ways of entertaining people, it was not so usual to see them in the 50s. But there was a drive-in in Utah where the ground was crowded with sedans. The audience was watching the iconic film, The Ten Commandments in 3-D, it was a Cecil B. DeMille film.

This photo is one of the most iconic photos clicked by Photographer J.R. Eyerman captured the moment when Charlton Heston, playing Moses, stretches his arms as he separates the Red Sea. That stretch of arms reminds one of the other famous scenes of Titanic, where Jack and Rose stretch their hands.

Clouds Fall Over Texaco, 1947

Photographer Andreas Feininger has a penchant for clicking unique pictures of stunning architecture. Here he takes a photo of silent Route 66. The cloudy sky adds a different dimension to this photo. It was a usual day in Seligman, Arizona where the clouds are swirling away on a hot summer's day.

The picture speaks a lot about a quiet place as clouds crowd over Texaco. The American West was pictured in all its gorgeous avatars in 1947. It is certainly a gorgeous sight and the photographer has captured the beauty of the place like no other.

Spanish Village, Deleitosa, 1951

There is a village called Deleitosa between Madrid and Portugal, photographer Eugene Smith stayed in the village for a long time capturing various shots for LIFE.

This picture here denotes, the Spanish Village where Smith captured the various moments of Deleitosa’s peasants. During those tense times,  civil guards were positioned on every corner and the photographer clicked them along with their candid expressions. Photograpgher4s those days were more about denoting real emotions than denoting doctored emotions. The soldiers here are enjoying a relaxing moment here.

Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium, 1965

Athletes have to work really hard to stay strong and maintain their streak of success. Unfortunately, there are players like Mickey Mantle, who have been a center fielder and a legendary who was once a legend, but their careers reached their peak, and then sadly his career hit a slump, and things went from bad to worse.

In 1965, John Dominis clicked him at Mantle at Yankee Stadium. The picture denotes his extreme frustration at the failures of what he was facing at the same time.

All Eyes on Kim Novak, 1956

Imagine a room full of men noisy and boisterous but suddenly a woman walks in, and all is quiet as they check out the woman walking in. Photographer skillfully captures Leonard McCombe in real life. '

Here Beautiful actress Kim Novak is seen sitting here for the 20th-century Limited dinner and is surrounded by men in suits. The picture denotes the hold that beautiful and young women have over men, they are unable to resist the charms of a femme fatale. This picture proves the universal truth.

The Creative Side of Dali Atomicus, 1948

This picture here denotes the eccentricity and creativity of Salvador Dali. You need to double your effort to create the perfect shot. You need to try 28 times before you are able to create the perfect shot and spend six hours creating the perfect shot.

Photographer Philippe Halsman later revealed that the whole crew had worked so much that they got wet, dirty, and tired as they tried to get the perfect shot. Did the cats also jump as many times to get the perfect shot? Not cool, we say!

The Best Picture of Ernest Hemingway, 1959

In the quest of getting the perfect shot of Ernest Hemmingway at Ketchum, Idaho, in 1959,  John Bryson got the perfect shot of clicking him kicking a can on the road. Bryson even clicked Hemingway's wife.

Hemingway even admitted that it was one of his best shots. It just proves how fickle life can be, this moment Hemingway was enjoying his moment, and just years after this shot, Hemingway shot himself in the head. But it's best to remember him this way throwing caution to the wind.

A Wedding at North Dakota, 1962

What does a bride feel when she is getting married? Well, the bride goes through a gamut of emotions and no one could have shot it better than Michael Rougier who was working at a wedding in North Dakota in 1962. Just before the bride was about to get married the photographer went to the bride’s room and conducted shooting.

Rougier took the shot of the woman peeking out the window. He was feeling a range of emotions right from anxiousness, nerves, high expectations, and the feeling that brides may get, the feat of commitment.

The Childlike Quality of Little Leaguers, 1954

Thrust the Manchester, NH, Little Leaguers to make an iconic shot that of getting these boys all dressed up and ready to play, except that some of them ditched the uniforms.

In this 1954 photo of Yale, Joel wrote a message with the picture, saying even if your suit is not perfect, you don't bother about it just like the children here who are not bothered about their looks at all. They don’t care about how they look at all and are nonchalant about their appearance.

The Clash of the Titans, 1971

Boxing legends Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali one of the most legendary fights in March 1971, and the world knew it as the “Fight of the Century.” At Madison Square Garden, Frazier beat Ali to the canvas and was able to defend the title.

Photographer John Shearer took the photo of Ali sneaking into Frazier's training headquarters with a naughty expression on his face while Frazier chose to look away as he clenched his fist showing repressed anger.

Something Unexpected Happened at Ann Arbor, 1950

Alfred Eisenstaedt has photographed many photographs of sports stars and Ann Arbor was just one of them as he photograph a uniformed drum major as he was doing his usual drill such as high kicks for a march when something completely unexpected happened.

After following the major’s high kicks, seven children were there in the line trying to pick up the major’s technique. The little rock stars seem to be the ultimate champions.

The Iconic Bill Cosby, 1969

Anyone can look at the silhouette and identify the picture just by looking at the picture. Right from his profile, and hair, to his cigarette, it reminds you of the ultimate icon.

John Loengard captured him on April 11, 1969. The 60s were the golden period for comedians and actors. Bill Cosby had a dream run and continued to rule for five decades which is no mean feat. This picture of Cosby still packs a punch and is one of the most iconic shots ever taken by Loengard. This is Bill Cosby as we know it.

Sea Of Hats, 1930

The initial cover of the publication included this image of Margaret Bourke-White. She was interested in aerial photography and always got the best photos. She captured the men wearing hats in the Garment District of New York City, on 36th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Margaret was nothing short of a legend. She was not only the first woman photographer in WWII to receive accreditation but also the first woman to fly a combat mission and enter the USSR.

Sunset Killer, 1966

John Dominis received an eight-month assignment from LIFE. He had to take distinctive and uncommon pictures in the African wilderness. He worked hard, and the results were for everyone to see.

Although you might think it is a romantic situation, it is a ferocious leopard slowly approaching its victim with a stunning sunset in the background.

Gunhild Larking, 1956

George

Silk captured high jumper Gunhild Larking of Sweden in this shot at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. The high jumper, then 20 years old, awaited her chance to compete.

George Silk has spent nearly his entire professional career (30 years) at LIFE. He spent his whole life documenting wartime events. Silk was at the front while he captured the Battle of the Bulge.

Breaking Away, 1947

LIFE generally based its content on images of some of the most influential historical figures and raw war footage. However, they were able to get photos of ordinary people.

Ralph Crane, a photographer, captured the perfect image of a youngster escaping from a children's home. Despite how tragic it may seem, Crane made it easy for the readers to understand the message.

Liz and Monty, 1950

After filming many sequences for the love story A Place in the Sun, photographer Peter Stackpole photographed private moments between stars Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. After the movie hit the theatres, Taylor and Clift came close.

The performers never stop working, even when not on the shoot. They certainly saw the camera aimed at them. The stances are both natural and ideal for a picture session.

The Beatles, 1964

John Loengard captured images of The Beatles' first visit to Miami. George, Ringo, Paul, and John are having a great time swimming in a Miami pool on a bright and sunny day. The water, however, was not ideal.

Ringo's expressions reveal how chilly it was. Therefore Loengard had invited these luminaries to hum a song so they could ignore the cold water and pose for the photograph.

A 3-D Movie Audience, 1952

A 3-D movie release was a prime event in the 1950s one could not miss. The crowd of the first color 3-D movie, Bwana Devil, was captured on camera by J.R. Eyerman.

Although it appears that it is an orchestrated audience, they enjoyed being there. The crowd is decked up in suits and looking in the same direction.

The Heart of NYC, 1943

Pennsylvania Station was the center of all activities in New York City between 1910 and 1963. The lovely location you see in this shot in the photograph was destroyed in 1963 to make way for Madison Square Garden.

The waiting area at the Station was captured on film by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Some components that one could never forget to include were the clock, the architecture, and the crowd.

Country Doctor, 1948

In Kremmling, Co., Dr. Ernest Ceriani was the sole physician available on call for a 1,200-square-mile region. Being close to a doctor during that period was a blessing. Dr. Ceriani was captured on camera by W. Eugene Smith. Smith titled the photo -  Country Doctor.

After D. Ceriani conducted a c-section at 2 a.m. in the hospital kitchen, Smith took this snap. Unfortunately, there were some issues, and both the mother and the child passed away.

Lindy Hop, 1943

Professional dancers Leon James and Willa Mae Ricker were clicked doing the alleged Lindy Hop. The image combines art, happiness, and enthusiasm.

This particular dance step started at a Harlem Savoy Ballroom back in 1927. An improvised dance that Lindbergh performed over the Atlantic Ocean inspired the name of this dance step.

Arctic Wolf, 1986

Photographer Jim Brandenburg was pursuing an arctic wolf somewhere in northern Canada to get the best frame. He was not one to accept defeat. This image, clicked by him, shows the wolf leaping from one piece of ice to another.

Brandenburg captured the Arctic at its best and worst. He portrayed the daily battle of the arctic animals amid the cold and harsh climate of the region. The poor wolf possibly had to swim through chilly waters.

John Glenn, 1960

When the Mercury 7 was preparing to go into space in the 1950s, Ralph Morse, a LIFE photographer, was there to document the entire event. Morse, who spent weeks tracking the astronauts' movements, earned the title of the eighth Mercury astronaut.

It was John Glenn who gave him this title. Morse immediately rose to prominence after he photographed Glenn. He became the face of America's space race.

War Caption, 1944

Great photographers have spent weeks and months working with courageous troops to get close views of a battle. Famous photographer W. Eugene Smith captured this image during the Battle of Saipan.

Looking over his shoulders, the soldier appears both resolute and worn out. The American people received a crystal-clear message from this picture that the soldiers would finish the war.

Mohandas Gandhi, 1946

In 1946, Margaret Bourke-White took a picture of Mohandas Gandhi, often known as The Great Soul, standing next to his spinning wheel. Gandhi has been the subject of some classic photos, with this one taking the top spot.

The spinning wheel in the image had a special significance since it stood for the Gandhi-favored peaceful fight for India's independence from Great Britain. There is something tranquil and peaceful about this photo.

Mark Spitz, 1972

While Mark Spitz was in training, LIFE photographer Co Rentmeester clicked him. Rentmeester once participated in the Olympics, representing the Netherlands in the 1960 Games. That was before he took up photography as his career.

He clicked this photo one month before the 1972 Munich Olympics. Spitz won seven gold medals at the event, an undisputed record. You can sense Spitz's power and live action together in this snap.

Born in 1965

It was the first time someone clicked the fetus within a womb. Lennart Nilsson captured every stage of the pregnancy's development on camera. Not only was it meticulous and flawless, but it also helped people get advanced knowledge of the human embryo.

You can even notice the fetus' nails in this image of the 17-week-old fetus because it is so clean and well-preserved. The picture appeared on the LIFE magazine cover. With 8 million copies published, all sold out in just four days. The work of Nilsson had a significant influence.

Jet Age Man, 1954

Photographer Ralph Morse experimented with shadows and lighting to produce abstract images. He was usually successful, as you can make out from this photo. He took a picture of an air force pilot for the cover of the 1954 issue of LIFE.

Jet Age Man was the title of this Morse's piece. Although it looks like he painted the man in a zebra pattern, it was a masterpiece from Morse.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, 1981

This picture gives us a sense of freedom and free will. Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian author, confessed in front of photographer Harry Benson that breathing in America was liberating.

The writer spent his days in exile in Vermont. That is where Benson clicked this photograph. Benson snapped the moment when the Nobel Prize winner demonstrated what it was like to be free in America.

The Kennedy Brothers, 1960

Hank Walker clicked a private moment of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy in their Los Angeles hotel room. The Democratic National Convention was happening on that particular day,

JFK was a U.S. Senator at that time. His brother Robert served as his advisor once he was elected president. Nobody would have imagined that both would lose their life to an assassin's bullet.

Ingrid Bergman, 1949

Gordon Parks took pictures of actress Ingrid Bergman. She was busy shooting for the Roberto Rossellini movie Stromboli in Italy. The Swedish actress, who was married, had a relationship with the film's director.

What happens in Italy stays in Italy. But since the actress became pregnant and their relationship became public, what happened there didn't just remain there. Parks caught three local women staring down Bergman.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 1959

The previous monarch of England, who reigned for little than a year, leaped with his wife for a well-known photograph by Philippe Halsman. The abdication of the Duke to be with his beloved caused an international uproar.

Royals have consistently displayed their perfection. The Duke of Windsor's resignation tainted the royal family Royals are so flawless that even when they leap, their photos should be perfect.

Freedom Riders, 1961

Freedom Riders battled against segregation vigorously in the 1960s. They had to put up with various violent activities, including firebombs and beatings. While they used to fight alone, they would get occasional help.

Paul Schutzer captured Freedom Riders David Dennis and Julia Aaron aboard a bus. The National Guard protected them as they attempted to integrate the bus.

The American Way, 1937

African-Americans were left hungry and hopeless by the Louisville Flood. Margaret Bourke-White photographed these victims as they waited in line to collect food and clothing.

Margaret clicked these guys posing in front of upscale advertising. The irony of the situation was that this photograph received more praise than those depicting the floods.

Pablo Picasso, 1949

It is a photo of two artists working together in one space. Photographer Gjon Mili visited Pablo Picasso's studio in France to take pictures of the artist.

Special effects didn't exist seventy years ago. Artists employed their creativity to produce creative works. Due to the unique circumstances of its 1949 production, critics consider this image as LIFE's best.

Winston Churchill, 1941

Some photographers are masters of shadows and lighting. They employ approaches to ensure their work stands out. Yousuf Karsh, a photographer, is a case in point.

Karsh captured Winston Churchill, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom. The strength and force of this photo would have frightened Hitler. He was indestructible and had a strong will.

Georgia O'Keeffe, 1966

Famous American painter Georgia O'Keeffe made significant contributions to modern art. The photographer John Loengard captured the artist for LIFE when he turned 80.

Landscapes of New Mexico were among the various subjects that O'Keeffe painted in the past. So, on the day she turned 80, Loengard took a picture of her amid the breathtaking scenery of New Mexico.

Charlie Chaplin, 1952

Eugene Smith clicked Charlie Chaplin during the shoot of Limelight, a film he wrote, produced and directed. He discovered his comedic side from this role.

He was 63 years old when the movie came out. Smith caught a private moment of the actor in the changing area.

Joseph Goebbels, 1933

There are times when a picture speaks a thousand words. Alfred Eisenstaedt caught this hateful picture. Nazi Minister Joseph Goebbels first smiled at photographer Eisenstaedt before discovering that Eisenstaedt was Jewish.

His smiling expression abruptly faded. The Nazi's face displayed hate for him. However, the German photographer didn't hesitate to click him even as Goebbels gave him hostile stares.

Clarence Hailey Long, 1949

A few decades ago, people considered smoking as a medium to be more stylish. The high class favored smoking during social functions. Smoking for a commercial made the actor more seductive.

Or at least that is how Leonard McCombe portrayed Clarence Hailey Long. The Marlboro Man is romantic since he is in a Western and sensual because he is smoking.

1945 Holocaust

Margaret Bourke-White was present at the liberation of the concentration camp, Buchenwald. That day, she caught the mayhem, the dead, the bodies, and the despair in her camera. She sought to convey how terrible those moments were.

She published this photo to inform readers that the dictatorship they had worked so hard to overthrow was finally gone. It served as a reminder of the things they were against and the things they had attained.