Best of 2019: Top 50 Photographs From Around the World

African Wildlife Photography by Will Burrard-Lucas

Photo taken using Camtraptions BeetleCam.
Photo: Will Burrard-Lucas (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Blog)

As the clock winds down on 2019, there is a growing urge to stop and reflect on the past year—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. And the best way to take a look back at the past 365 days is through photography. Luckily, we live in an age of technology and just about everyone has a camera on hand. There are countless photographers (professionals and amateurs) who have documented all corners of the world to account for every single day. With such an abundance of images available, though, it becomes a daunting task to truly take a look back at it all. Fortunately, our team at My Modern Met has taken the time to sift through some of the most impactful images of 2019 and we’ve narrowed the list down to our top 50.

Though this year has had its fair share of emotionally charged events that have been documented, published, and shared amongst the masses—politically mobilizing and dividing people around the world—there have also been serene moments of zen captured that have allowed people to simply smile. With emotions as heightened as they are today, polarizing people from all walks of life, it’s just as powerful to be able to unify people with a funny photo.

To end this year (and this decade), we want to make sure we remember the good in the world. There is a great deal of beauty to reminisce about and cherish. From the poignant portrait of a teenager leading a generation of climate activists to the silly snapshot of a cub playfully pouncing at a “ball,” this year has ran the gamut of emotion in photographs. Majestic undersea worlds, the pure unencumbered joy of children at play, the iridescent wings of a hummingbird, phenomenal meteorological conditions, macro and micro views of our galaxy, hidden figures found in shadows, heartwarming mother-and-child portraits, and more have made the list this year. Scroll down to see the wondrous 12 months we’ve all shared via these photographers’ images.

This year has been filled with beauty, adventure, laughs, and wanderlust. Let’s take a look back with the best photos of 2019.

Greta Thunberg Portrait by Shane Balkowitsch

Wet Plate Collodion Photograph by Shane Balkowitsch at Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, Bismarck, North Dakota.
Photo: Shane Balkowitsch (Website | Instagram)

Rarindra Prakarsa

Photo: Rarindra Prakarsa (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Michael Aboya/AGORA images

Photo: Michael Aboya/AGORA images (Website | Instagram)

 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Sarah Skinner

Photo: Sarah Skinner (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Winners of the 2019 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Photo: © Harry Walker (Website) / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019

Photography of Misty Copeland

Photo: © NYC Dance Project (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Dog Photography by Claudio Piccoli

Photo: Claudio Piccoli (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Iceberg in Greenland by Albert Dros

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Joshua Smith Photo of Australian Desert

Photo: Joshua Smith (Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter)

Matt Molloy Sky Photography

Photo: Matt Molloy (500px | Instagram | Facebook)

Underwater Photography by Christian Vizl

Photo: Christian Vizl (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Hummingbird Photography by Christian Spencer

Photo: Christian Spencer (Website | Instagram (photography) | Instagram (art))

Animal Photography by Dick van Duijn

Photo: Dick van Duijn (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Last Northern White Rhino by Justin Mott

Photo: Justin Mott (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Man on a Horse in Kyrgyzstan

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Sipa Photo Contest

Photo: Jonathan Banks for International Alert (Website)

Rarindra Prakarsa

Photo: Rarindra Prakarsa (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Astrophotography by Rainee Colacurcio

Photo: Rainee Colacurcio

Luke Rasmussen Climbing Photography

Photo: Luke Rasmussen (Website)

Andrew McCarthy - Color Moon Photography

Photo: Andrew McCarthy (Website | Instagram | Linktree)

White Sands Photo by Navid Baraty

Photo: Navid Baraty (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photo of a Big Elephant by Will Burrard-Lucas

Photo taken in partnership with Tsavo Trust and appears in Land of Giants.
Photo: Will Burrard-Lucas (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Blog)

Portrait of the Surma Tribe Body Painting

Photo: Biljana Jurukovski (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Bald Eagle Reflection by Steve Biro

Photo: Steve Biro (Instagram)

Action at the Reno Rodeo

Photo: Ty O'Neil (Website | Instagram)

Drone Photo of Shadows that Look Like a Skyline

Photo: JP and Mike Andrews – Abstract Aerial Art (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Red-Winged Blackbird Photo

Photo: Kathrin Swoboda (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr)

Nature Photograph by Aaron Reed

Photo: Aaron Reed (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Fashion Photography by Miss Aniela

Photo: Miss Aniela (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photos of Monkeys by Mogens Trolle

Photo: Mogens Trolle (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Forced Perspective Photography by Albert Dros

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Social Impact Art by Benjamin Von Wong

Photo: Benjamin Von Wong (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Shrine by Jordan Hammond

Photo: Jord Hammond (Website | Instagram)

Forest Photography by Sinhue Boksberger

Photo: Sinhue Boksberger (Instagram)

Golden Gate Bridge Timelapse

Photo: Michael Shainblum (Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook)

Black and White Photo of a Woman Pushing a Stroller by Alan Schaller

Photo: Alan Schaller (Website | Instagram)

Felicia Saunders Feeding Photo

Photo: Felicia Saunders (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter)

Emperor Penguin and Chick by Sue Flood

Photo: © Sue Flood (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Dancers and Dogs

Ashley Lew and Loki
Photo: Dancers & Dogs (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Simeon Pratt Drone Photography

Photo: Simeon Pratt (Website | Instagram)

Samir Belhamra Moon Photo

Photo: Samir Belhamra (Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter)

Kilian Schonberger the Blue Border Photography

Photo: Kilian Schönberger (Website | Instagram)

Astrophotography Ciel Austral

Photo: Ciel Austral (Website)

Alison Pollack Mushroom Photography

Photo: Alison Pollack (Instagram)

Finbarr Fallon Cemetery Hong Kong

Photo: Finbarr Fallon (Website | Instagram)

Todd Antony Flying Cholitas

Photo: Todd Antony (Website | Instagram)

Ben Simon Rehn Iceland Abstract Photography

Photo: Ben Simon Rehn (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Black Leopard at the Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Kenya

Photo taken at Laikipia Wilderness Camp in Kenya using Camtraptions Camera Trap.
Photo: Will Burrard-Lucas (Website | Facebook | Instagram | Blog)

 

Related Articles:

Best of 2019: Top 10 Amazing Art Installations That Defined the Past Year

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Best of 2019: Top Art Books to Keep You Inspired for Years to Come

Best of 2018: Top 36 Photographs From Around the World

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