He was most likely referring to Earthrise, photographed during the Apollo 8 mission by astronaut William Anders. The image shows Earth rising above the Moon’s horizon.

What made it special was less about technical perfection or elaborate gear and more about the subject and its impact. The photograph gave people a new perspective on our planet: small, fragile, and isolated in space. That emotional and cultural effect is why it’s often described as “mind-changing.”

Rowell’s point seems to be that a photograph’s power does not always come from formal training, careful support gear like a tripod, or even a professional photographer. Sometimes an extraordinary subject and a unique moment create an unforgettable image.