[chris]

The How Life Begins Photograph

In 1957 he began taking pictures with an endoscope, an instrument that can see inside a body cavity, but when Lennart Nilsson presented the rewards of his work to LIFE's editors several years later, they demanded that witnesses confirm that they were seeing what they thought they were seeing. Finally convinced, they published a cover story in 1965 that went on for 16 pages, and it created a sensation. Then, and over the intervening years, Nilsson's painstakingly made pictures informed how humanity feels about . . . well, humanity. They also were appropriated for purposes that Nilsson never intended. Nearly as soon as the 1965 portfolio appeared in LIFE, images from it were enlarged by right-to-life activists and pasted to placards.

[Agent of reality]

Honestly that looks like a cover and a plastic bag with a baby inside it, floating around in space. Cool pic though.

[Rage]

I just think life is sooo amazing woohooo

[Hotstuff]

amazing photo

[elitexhunting999]

neato

This was one of the last pictures I got to see before giving birth and becoming a mommy for the first time last year... the likeness is stunning. My baby in my belly all snuggled up cozy and smiling... *sniffle :D In keeping with the forum topic------ it's pretty amazing what a mommy can see/know about her bairn before birth. My doctor even had his weight calculated to within a pound. Pregnancy is amazing with all the latest technology.

[psychicrox]

what's the baby doing in space?

[AlienPet13]

OPEN THE POD BAY DOORS HAL!!!

[RedneckR0nin]

That's a wild photo CHris!! Thanks!!

[wickedqueenwicker]

I'm not so sure I'd want a 3D ultrasound. Kinda like peeking before you get to open your presents on Christmas morning. It is kinda neat to know how cute your kid's going to be before you get to meet them.