Sometimes, you see a photograph which summons a whole storm of emotions inside. Often this is down to a perfectly chosen angle or a shot taken at just the right moment. Sometimes, it’s a shot of a stunning landscape or an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. But in other cases, it can be something as simple as the chronicling of our everyday lives from all around the world.
Here, we’ve gathered together 20 of the most brilliant photographs we’ve seen this year. Some are amusing, some exciting, and others simply wonderful.
Some very ’attentive’ judges at the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan

A woman quietly observes Johnny Depp’s arrival at a movie premier

veobook
A herd of sheep pass through a gate

widelec
The heavens open. Copenhagen, Denmark

© Mutley Wallcroft
My neighbour Totoro

© Tanja Brandt
This guy dreamed of having two sons. His dreams came true — eventually!

photopedia
Feeding the ’birds’ in Ecuador

wendy-leblog
A tornado in Genoa, Italy

© Evgeny Drokov
So much emotion in just one photo!

Life is good

vorchuchelo
A cycling team from Rwanda sees snow for the first time
Team Rwanda
With mom

argyleink
The photographer fell over when he was taking the shot and ended up with this masterpiece of a wedding photo

imgur
A cat: The view from below

cat-tube
Swans swim through the street after floods, UK

theguardian
A walrus becomes embarrassed when it’s given a cake made of fish for its birthday, Norway

imgur
I really want to know what they’re looking at…

imgur
A typical rainy day in Chicago, USA

nqsimple
Police dogs in China queue for lunch

laughspark
In the African wilderness

© Mohammed Yousef
Marilyn hasn’t aged well…

livejournal










