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We take plenty of photos but for most of us, it's pretty difficult to get good at it. No matter how hard we're trying. Others, however, can produce a spectacular image even when they're not.

The subreddit r/AccidentalRenaissance is the biggest online "gallery" for these works — it showcases photographs that inadvertently resemble well-composed Renaissance-style art.

"We recognize there are many related art movements between the 14th and 19th centuries, including Baroque, Neo-classicism, Romantic, Dutch Golden Age, etc. All of these styles are appreciated and welcomed within this subreddit!" the moderators of r/AccidentalRenaissance write.

Following up on our earlier publications (part 1, part2), we put together a new list of the best masterpieces the subreddit has to offer. Enjoy.

#1

Stuck My Arm In The Coop To Sneak A Pic Of The Hens Settling Down At Dusk One Night- “Magic Hour”

Stuck My Arm In The Coop To Sneak A Pic Of The Hens Settling Down At Dusk One Night- “Magic Hour”

hawws12 Report

#2

National Park In Italy

National Park In Italy

RobinBSad Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Add a few naked ladies and wisps of silk, and it'll be a perfect Rococco landscape!

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To further explain Accidental Renaissance, the people who look after the subreddit provide these descriptions:

  • Composition: triangular/pyramidal figures, dynamic, asymmetrical, foreshortening, and, of course, the use of the Fibonacci sequence or Golden Ratio;
  • Lighting: Featuring use of sfumato (blurring/softening of outlines) and/or chiaroscuro (strong contrasts between light and dark);
  • Subject: Landscapes, people, scenes that feature one or both of the above.
#3

Billie Holiday Performing "Strange Fruit" In NYC's First Ever Integrated Club, 1939

Billie Holiday Performing "Strange Fruit" In NYC's First Ever Integrated Club, 1939

Bootypoppanties_vevo Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange fruit is about the racial hate and the lynching of African Americans. Read the lyrics and look at that "lovely vintage picture" again. https://genius.com/Billie-holiday-strange-fruit-lyrics

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#4

This Candid Of My Hubby During The Texas Blackout

This Candid Of My Hubby During The Texas Blackout

Hell00-Sweetie Report

A representative of the mod team, u/Openminded_skeptic, told Bored Panda that "the most popular subjects appear to be scenes with crowds of people doing things like protesting, marching for a cause, or otherwise expressing themselves; highly saturated, photos of people, livestock, or interesting architecture featuring chiaroscuro and many times sun or light rays highlighting a portion of the photo; and photos featuring politicians or world leaders seem to be fairly popular."

#5

The Winner Of The Miami Street Photography Festival Award By Paul Kessel

The Winner Of The Miami Street Photography Festival Award By Paul Kessel

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As of today, the community has 816K members, or as they call themselves, universalis personae. u/Openminded_skeptic describes them "as passionate and invested in the subreddit and the subject of Renaissance-esque photography, sometimes to the point of getting into spirited debates in the comment section on whether a particular photo is or is not either accidental or Renaissance!"

u/Openminded_skeptic attributes the popularity of the subreddit to the universal appeal of the period. "Renaissance-era art was really about humanity's rebirth, culturally, economically, politically, and artistically," they said. "I think that's something that never goes out of style."

#7

Vermeer Vibes

Vermeer Vibes

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What shall we call this lost masterpiece, other than "Girl with a Mop"? That's just too inelegant!

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Indeed. Art, architecture, and science were closely linked during the Renaissance, and often these fields even fused together.

For example, artists like da Vinci incorporated scientific principles, such as anatomy into their work, so they could recreate the human body with extraordinary precision. Architects such as Filippo Brunelleschi immersed themselves in mathematics to accurately engineer and design immense buildings with expansive domes. And scientific discoveries by Galileo, Descartes, and other forward-thinking pioneers led to major shifts in thinking.

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Renaissance art was characterized by realism and naturalism — artists strived to depict people and objects in a true-to-life way, and these pictures achieve that too.

#9

Window To An Open Meadow

Window To An Open Meadow

Inazumaryoku Report

#10

The Player

The Player

marklyon Report

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a sports fan. I don't agree that this is okay behavior by an opposing team's fans. You don't have to cheer, but you don't have to harass and harangue. We call it "courtesy". Her gender is irrelevant. Theirs is irrelevant. THey're being rotten. End.

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Michelle M
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is the face of someone who does NOT give a f**k

martinkaine17 avatar
iarlaithmorton avatar
Hotdogking
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is so over their bullshit. Fricking love the look on her face

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Dre Mosley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's what opposing fans do, and yeah, they would have done it to a male player too.

kennedyjohnson_1 avatar
Ladyandthetramp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stay strong girl! I know what you’re going through. They are just bloody jerks.

marcyvernon avatar
Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently she isn't going through anything. She didn't think anything about those fans of the opposing team. The noise inspired her to play well and her team won. Her mother said the boys did nothing wrong.

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Danielle Terese
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone said "gender is irrelevant," but it's not. While this is awful behavior whatever the genders are, it DOES make it worse that it's guys heckling a girl. It's an added layer of awfulness because of its context in a society that often allows men to disrespect women in a myriad of ways with little or no consequence (patronizing language, assuming women are less competent, sexist jokes and ways of referring to women, the pay gap, etc.).

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DKS 001
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

basketball ... meet Mr Face ... and that one, and that one, and that one ...

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mulk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://mississippiscoreboard.com/so-what-was-going-through-the-mind-of-the-girl-in-the-picture-she-shares-that-and-more-by-billy-watkins/

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The article is informative but doesn't make any of this better. A teenager is okay having to be "tough" because "she can take it." The parents support the heckling because basically "boys will be boys." What kind of philosophy is that?

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Fee Skiba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they are guys, the probabel felt the need to explain basketball to her.

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Nick Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guarantee she's a better player than all of them. She's on court and they're not.

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Mac
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She honestly looks badass. Like her face says “try me b*tch”

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CbusResident
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No male basketball player has ever had something like that happen to them from opposing fans! I'm triggered by this sexism and now need to spend some time with my non-binary therapy turkey.

marcyvernon avatar
Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't get triggered by a single photo. Read what the girl says about it. She gives an entirely different take on the events.

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Norah Reilly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I may be smiling, but in my head I've punched you five times (ALL of you a-holes)!

jknbt2 avatar
jk nbt
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nice example of the focus it takes in any game where the hecklers have gone nuts... you are right, girl, just ignore the idiots

janetch avatar
Janet C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are so many men such a**holes? Are they all so fragile that they are scared of a girl? Seriously men, GTFU and stop acting like such sexist jerks.

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Bianca Du Toit
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just nauseating. Parents, teach your sons to be better. Not like these dickless sods.

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simerese avatar
Full Name
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they are heckling her trying to get her to lose her focus. they'd do the same exact thing if she were male. that's kind of what's been happening in sports since like forever. they are treating her just like anyone else. it's called the "home team advantage" for a reason. you're immediate perception of this photo just perpetuates the problem.

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birdhouse
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6 months ago

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Darin D'Onofrio
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EVERYBODY, GET YOUR PANTIUES UNBUNCHED AND GROW THE F**K UP! iT'S A FUXKING GAME, FANS CHEER AND JEER... GET THE F**K OVER IT AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN SAD LIVES!

zoestillwell-taylor avatar
BisexualBaddie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at her. The way she stands with confidence despite others telling her she can't do it. What a queen

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Grace Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, they’re jeering but she looks like she could knock them out with one punch if she wanted to

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Jill Tremblay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can everyone assume it is the opposing team giving her crap? It may be the boys team from the same school cheering her on !! I have seen this a lot in High School games where the girls play a game first and then the boys team plays and the girls cheer on the boys....Jeez. Not EVERYTHING you see is BAD !!!!!

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Steve Schneider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The match would be stopped and the unruly fans ejected from the venue if I were officiating.

sschneider3 avatar
Steve Schneider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The match would be stopped and the unruly fans would be ejected from the venue if I were officiating.

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Maple Chan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope she made the winning basket to wipe the smirks off their faces. OR she is playing against the home team; no matter what- no excuse for that behavior.

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Jenifer Halpern
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that expression on her face says she is no more paying attention to the d**kheads and all of her attention is in the game! Go away you d**ks! How would you like it if the girls did this to you while you were playing? That would be horrifying to you!

rix_1 avatar
Arenite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn’t Europe ban English football hooligans at some point?

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Raphael48
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like she's trying to decide which one of those goobers she's going to backhand once she releases that ball. My money's on the NASA shirt guy...

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Brent Hollett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From an interview with the woman in the picture: https://mississippiscoreboard.com/so-what-was-going-through-the-mind-of-the-girl-in-the-picture-she-shares-that-and-more-by-billy-watkins/

bobconnely avatar
Bob Connely
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One jackass is wearing a shirt from his own special club: 'National Association of Stupid A$$h@les'

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Doug Hay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fans will be fans, and the girl seems unflustered, just concetrating on doing her part to win the game. More disturbing is the lack of masks on the guys, spraying potential covid breath at her and themselves. No wonder the disease is spiking.

haydoug_linda avatar
Doug Hay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guys are just being exuberant, the girl is unflustered and concentrating on winning the game. What bothers me is how the guys are unmasked, spraying potentially covid breath at her and each other. No wonder the disease is spiking.

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Trent Tulpo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is called home court advantage. Have you people never been?

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Mező Ádám
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, being a basketball player even with that height, that's badass

kjorn avatar
kjorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nothing to do about being a girls. it's about be on the other teams. people wouldn't be that much pissed off if i would be a guy. don't say it's correct either.

marcyvernon avatar
Me
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The girl is a talented athlete and thought nothing of the other team's enthusiastic fans. She was focused on the game. Her mother said the boys did nothing wrong. Those involved saw the photo as a great image. https://mississippiscoreboard.com/so-what-was-going-through-the-mind-of-the-girl-in-the-picture-she-shares-that-and-more-by-billy-watkins/

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Katinka Min
Community Member
2 years ago

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Sportsgal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would raise my arms up to inbound, and if my elbow hit one of them, oh well! What jerks! That's why seats should be further back.

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Blair Andrews
Community Member
2 years ago

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I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how she's not slapping the crap out of them i don't know

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Lotus Flower
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her own dang words: Olivia doesn’t understand why so much was made of the boys yelling at her. “All I thought when I saw the picture was, ‘Oh, wow, that’s cool. Mr. Bob sure took a good one.’ That’s all that came to mind and I really haven ’t thought much else about it. It’s basketball. It’s sports. Fans are going to yell at you.” Me: Give women credit for having the ability to be competitive and block the BS out. She doesn’t need or want pity. The teams are rivals and if a man was the one with the ball, it wouldn’t be a cool pic. Turned out this pic is about a girl and her balls, so it’s just a great pic of competition!! Take your wadded panties else where.

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Natalia Shoemark
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The world's greatest spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds"

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Jag Yu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why does this remind me so much of da vinci's last supper

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François Carré
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, whose face the balloon got smashed into finally ? She was spoilt for choice here.

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PeachPossum
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Preps won this game, thanks to this young lady's outstanding performance in those final seconds. Bet those boys went home crying to their mommies.

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://mississippiscoreboard.com/so-what-was-going-through-the-mind-of-the-girl-in-the-picture-she-shares-that-and-more-by-billy-watkins/

ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although a pacifist, I would particularly like to slap the two biebers in the NASA shirt and the red shirt, and then I would continue in any given random order. Yes, they are probably fans of the other team, but would they be treating the player the same way if it were a muscular 2-meter guy? I think not. They are just bullies and there is no other way to put it.

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BlahBlah
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I would literally walk to them and slap them in faces one by one. I would even kick their asses alltogether. F*****g assholes. And you can even see some n*****s there! Not long ago THEY were the object of such behaviour!!!

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#12

Three Friends

Three Friends

AshrafulArefin Report

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Anonymous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bengali poster over them stands for. " It sells lungi(a garment) and towels. It also alter jeans pant".

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#13

This Polaroid My Dad Took In Amsterdam Back In The 1980s

This Polaroid My Dad Took In Amsterdam Back In The 1980s

Oldkingcole225 Report

#16

French Farmers Use Fire To Try To Save Their Vineyards During Cold Nights

French Farmers Use Fire To Try To Save Their Vineyards During Cold Nights

QompleteReasons Report

#17

Rainbow Soldier

Rainbow Soldier

thassae Report

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All I can think is the list of superheroes killed by their capes in the Incredibles,

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#21

A Priest In A Church Of Paris, France

A Priest In A Church Of Paris, France

Davoldo Report

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Michelle M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to walk into this picture with a bed and just sleep for hours.

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#22

Winter Water Main Break At Night

Winter Water Main Break At Night

Raleigh_Water Report

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Downunderdude
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Despite the efforts of his PR team, it has been revealed that God does not inhabit heaven.

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#23

Friend Left A Knot On The Lead Rope By Accident And Left Us This Amazing Piece

Friend Left A Knot On The Lead Rope By Accident And Left Us This Amazing Piece

DadofMando Report

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Michelle M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a Renaissance picture where they're all reaching for enlightenment or whatever those paintings mean.

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#24

The More You Look, The Better It Gets

The More You Look, The Better It Gets

TheTallLebowski Report

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Alexia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

404 error. Trump.exe has stopped working. Please restart the program, or wait for for the program to respond.

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#25

A Man Outside Of The Courthouse Learns That Derek Chauvin Was Found Guilty On All Three Counts

A Man Outside Of The Courthouse Learns That Derek Chauvin Was Found Guilty On All Three Counts

reddit.com Report

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#28

A Bad Hair Day That Turned Out Like An Oil Painting

A Bad Hair Day That Turned Out Like An Oil Painting

humphreybeargart Report

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SentimentAndBadJokes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why, but I really like his nose! It's got so much personality for some reason (kinda weird I know, but it just seems to add to this photo!)

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#30

A Young Monk

A Young Monk

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Roselyn Park
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brother Mark takes a vow of Contemplative Silence. Or maybe he broke a prop lightsaber and is trying to work out how to let George know.

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#31

Stephen Fry Being Vaccinated At The Poets' Corner Of Westminster Abbey

Stephen Fry Being Vaccinated At The Poets' Corner Of Westminster Abbey

DisenchantedIdealist Report

#32

Orthodox Jews In The Time Of Covid

Orthodox Jews In The Time Of Covid

rossblanket Report

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Dave P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a funeral, all those not wearing masks were anti-body positive people, etc. Contrary to popular myth, it is a high vaccinated community, that follows scientific advice of their own medical orgs like JOWMA, and only came out average in terms of number of cases or deaths.

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#33

My Step Mother Trying To Cool Off And Sadie, Who Is Terrified Of My 6 Month Old Twins

My Step Mother Trying To Cool Off And Sadie, Who Is Terrified Of My 6 Month Old Twins

--eight Report

#35

Covid Reaches The Us, 2020

Covid Reaches The Us, 2020

PlatypusHashFarm Report

Note: this post originally had 105 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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