Best of 2019: Top 50 Photographs From Around the World

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.

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

Photo: Rarindra Prakarsa (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

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

Photo: Sarah Skinner (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

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

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

Photo: Claudio Piccoli (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

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

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

Photo: Christian Vizl (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

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

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

Photo: Justin Mott (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Photo: Jonathan Banks for International Alert (Website)

Photo: Rarindra Prakarsa (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Photo: Rainee Colacurcio

Photo: Luke Rasmussen (Website)

Photo: Andrew McCarthy (Website | Instagram | Linktree)

Photo: Navid Baraty (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

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

Photo: Biljana Jurukovski (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Photo: Steve Biro (Instagram)

Photo: Ty O'Neil (Website | Instagram)

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

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

Photo: Aaron Reed (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

Photo: Miss Aniela (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photo: Mogens Trolle (Website | Instagram | Facebook)

Photo: Albert Dros (Website | Facebook | Instagram)

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

Photo: Jord Hammond (Website | Instagram)

Photo: Sinhue Boksberger (Instagram)

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

Photo: Alan Schaller (Website | Instagram)

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

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

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

Photo: Simeon Pratt (Website | Instagram)

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

Photo: Kilian Schönberger (Website | Instagram)

Photo: Ciel Austral (Website)

Photo: Alison Pollack (Instagram)

Photo: Finbarr Fallon (Website | Instagram)

Photo: Todd Antony (Website | Instagram)

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

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

Best of 2019: The Most Creative Products Everyone Wanted This Year

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

Best of 2018: Top 36 Photographs From Around the World

Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.

Sponsored Content