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It seems like this year—even though it was a hard one—helped creative minds flourish all over the world. The Budapest International Foto Awards just published their winners and the photographs are as breathtaking as they are thought-provoking.

More info: budapestfotoawards.com | Facebook | Instagram

#1

The Skin I'm In

The Skin I'm In

"Carol Mayer was left near death following a house fire when a young mother. She incurred horrific burns to over 80 percent of her body ... her family was told she would not survive. However, survive she did after enduring the year-long agony of intensive care, operations, and skin grafts to recovery. Over a decade on Carol gives her time voluntarily to counsel and help later day burns victims and assist burns foundations. Carol has long grown accustomed to 'The Skin I’m In.'"

Photograph by: Brian Cassey

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kicki avatar
Panda Kicki
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was so sad to hear she recently dies of cancer, after all she has been through :(

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#2

Space In Between

Space In Between

"The turquoise lake in the crater of the Kawah Ijen volcano looks serene and inviting. It also happens to be the world's largest acidic lake. But the main highlight was watching the Milky Way rise on the crater summit, probably the most beautiful mornings the photographer has seen on the trip." Photograph by: Sherwin Magsino

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#3

Cormorant Master

Cormorant Master

"Cormorant fishing is a dying 1,000-year-old tradition in Guilin, China. Sailing peacefully across Li River in Guilin, men fish without the aid of a rod, hook or bait, instead of using a method that involves birds diving underwater."
Photograph by: Sherwin Magsino

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#4

Polar Bear Family In A Melting World

Polar Bear Family In A Melting World

"Mother Bear and her two young cubs are at the ice edge, wondering about their next move. 2018 was a relatively warm year in the high Arctic, and this is the last piece of ice in eastern Svalbard. Without sea ice, the mother bear can't hunt for herself and her cubs." Photograph by: Roie Galitz

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#5

Fate

Fate

"This little girl was looking for firewood near her crumbly haunt at Christmas. The very poor and poverty-stricken family is unemployed. For them, survival from one day to the next is a big challenge. Tarnava Valley / Transylvania." Photograph by: Istvan Kerekes

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KT
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This poor girl! I want to help her and her family. Is the photographer able to give me contact information???

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#6

The Silent Cry Of Hong Kong Protester

The Silent Cry Of Hong Kong Protester

"Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in Hong Kong. Demonstrators participated in the demonstration on August 11, when a male demonstrator was attacked by secret police that night, blood on his face and his front teeth were shot down. This was the first time the police had dressed like a protester. Demonstrator opened his mouth silently in front of the camera."

Photographer: Chiasheng Wu

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Bananic
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wish they could just leave HK alone :( this is too sad and heart breaking..

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#7

I'm Not My Body. A Story About Euthanasia

I'm Not My Body. A Story About Euthanasia

"In 2016, the artist met Claire C., a then-33-year-old wheelchair-bound woman, suffering from severe debilitating pains in her right foot, epilepsy, and spastic quadriplegia. Since the age of seven, her life has been about life-threatening accidents, invasive operations, severe painkillers, and ultimately wanting to end her life. Claire has been seeking effective pain treatment besides addictive morphine-based painkillers since 2012. In 2017, a spinal neurostimulator implant was initially successful. In 2012 Claire renewed her request for active euthanasia since her pains have fully returned." Photograph by: Michel Petillo

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Jennifer Brown
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand why we force people to suffer!! Just like the poor woman in the first photo! Why did anyone think she would want to live after 80% of her body had been burned?? And then endure a horrific year of torture and pain? We are monsters who hold people captive because we have the medicine to do so...doesn't make it right

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#8

Planet Earth

Planet Earth

"Photo was taken at 42,000 ft over the Sahara desert, flying at the edge of space. Our beautiful little blue marble, floating through the vast void of infinity." Photograph by: Christiaan Van Heijst

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#9

Prozac

Prozac

"The series shows the personal experience of the photographer: 'Since I was 20, I have been prone to depression. Finding antidepressants unhelpful, I decided to get out of Moscow and find somewhere I could be happier, chronicling my own experiences. But the depression followed me. People imagine that depression is like ordinary unhappiness, only more so. It isn’t. And the things we typically do to cheer ourselves up can’t be relied on as treatments. I tried a change of scene to get away from my troubles but to no avail. I think depression has to be understood and treated as an illness, although I am not sure how.'"

Photograph by: Arseniy Neskhodimov

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#10

The Freedom Of Belarus

The Freedom Of Belarus

Photographer: Hanna Rozava

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Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let us hope for 2021 not only to be the end of the pandemic, but a end for more autocratic regimes.

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#11

The Last Moment

The Last Moment

"Once a passionate pupil of the violin in Cité Soleil had now become a downcast boy with a big cap who no longer had an interest in playing. Water on the brain was causing his head to grow bigger day after day. "Luxon, if it's okay," I asked guardedly, "could you play once more for me?" I had a sudden feeling that we only had a few moments left together. With his eyes closed, the boy played his tune just in time to meet a ray of light.

Urim Hong is a photographer who searches for light in the isolated world. After majoring in the humanities as well as pedagogy, he taught children for a decade and, in that process, found himself called to photography. He majored in photography at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Currently, he is leading a project for the children and orphans in Citi Soleil, a small village within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area in Haiti. He was selected as Editorial Photographer of the year at the 2018 IPA, 2019 MIFA, and PDNedu Awards Documentary winner."

Photographer: Urim Hong

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#12

Country Doctor

Country Doctor

"Once the Covid-19 pandemic started spreading in Italy, Luigi Cavanna, the head of the Oncology ward in Piacenza Hospital, decided that the best way to approach the disease was to treat it early, in the same way you would treat cancer. Equipped with a device that monitors the level of oxygen in the blood and a portable ultrasound chest scanner, doctor Cavanna started visiting patients at their homes—treating them mostly with hydroxychloroquine. In this way, he saved more than 365 patients." Photograph by: Gabriele Micalizzi

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#13

Naturalia: Chronicle Of Contemporary Ruins

Naturalia: Chronicle Of Contemporary Ruins

"This is what happens when abandoned places are reclaimed by Nature. She is stronger, and whatever happens to Man, She will always be there. When Man leaves, She comes back and She takes back everything. This series asks the fundamental question of the place of Man on Earth and his relationship with Nature. Far from being pessimistic, and at a time when Man’s domination of Nature has never been so extreme, it aims to wake our consciousness."

Photograph by: Jonk

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#14

New Zealand Locks Down

New Zealand Locks Down

"A portrait of Jacinda Ardern as she announces an unprecedented, nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic."

Photographer: Dominic Thomas

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#15

Giant Of The Sea

Giant Of The Sea

"The whale shark in the picture is just floating beneath the boats on the surface. This is the largest fish on earth with a size of up to more than 10 meters. It is a peaceful and impressive inhabitant of our planet. Many details had to be taken into account when taking the picture, due to the proper composition." Photograph by: Földi László

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#16

I Am Rohingya

I Am Rohingya

"The Rohingya is a minor Muslim ethnic group who lived in Myanmar for centuries. However, due to the racism and many other socio-political issues among the majority in Myanmar, they were declared as a stateless Bengali community who migrated to Myanmar from Bangladesh. Over one million Rohingyas live in Myanmar and they are the most persecuted people in the world who are deprived of their own land, human rights, and citizenship. In recent times, the Myanmar Army started a silent genocide to forcefully evacuate them out of the country. Mohammad Rakibul Hasan is a Dhaka-based documentary photographer, filmmaker, and visual artist. His work explores the themes of human rights, social development, migration, gender violence, and the environment. His images express the resilience of the human spirit and strength at adversity. Hasan holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Photography from Falmouth University and an Undergraduate Certificate in History of Art from Oxford University. He also pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Photojournalism from Ateneo de Manila University and graduated in Film & Video Production from University of Sydney." Photographer: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan

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#17

Home

Home

"A moment of life from a family who live in extreme poverty. The horse, which is a treasure for the family, is treated almost like a family member. He is a sure source of income because they undertake a lot of agricultural jobs. The father works as a day laborer to provide for the family. But their life is terribly difficult. I took the picture in the Transylvania area of Romania." Photographer: Istvan Kerekes

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#18

Waiting For A New Life

Waiting For A New Life

"A migrant man looks at the horizon at sunset, after being rescued at sea, off Libya, by the organization 'Mediterranea Saving Humans' on the Central Mediterranean."

Photograph by: Valerio Nicolosi

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J Charming
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot fathom the need to go to sea and brave it all because the place I live in is war torn, cruel, barren, etc.. so lucky to live in New Zealand.

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#19

In Red

In Red

"It is a highlands at an altitude of 4,000 meters in Sichuan, China. That place became red after heavy rain around sunset. The Larung Gar is the biggest Tibetan Buddhist academy in the world." Photograph by: Tetsuo Kurita

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#20

The Blue Viper Strikes

The Blue Viper Strikes

"Beware the impossibly fascinating blue viper...this really is a ‘look but don’t touch’ situation, because as visually beautiful as that blue viper is, it’s not the kind of creature you want to mess with. Sold in specialty pet shops, this one is really not for beginners."

Photograph by: Robin Yong

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#21

In The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time - Accidental Victim Of Drug Gangs

In The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time - Accidental Victim Of Drug Gangs

"A man like anyone else, good, drunkard, according to his wife, was sitting on a bench in the main square of his town in the wrong place at the wrong time, when two rival drug gangs confronted each other, taking by accident his life. This happened in a remote rural area in the central part of Mexico, Jalisco State."

Photograph by: Eduardo Lopez Moreno

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#22

Garbage In The Cloud

Garbage In The Cloud

"Thick smoke, countless toxic substances that more human casualties than the flames themselves—deadly clouds that arise from fires at sorting plants, landfills, and vehicle recycling points." Photograph by: Piotr Zwarycz

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Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should be something out of a dystopian science fiction movie, not real life.

#23

Lost Dreams

Lost Dreams

"Magical sunset at the world-famous Anse Source d'Argent beach on La Digue Island in Seychelles."

Photograph by: Erika Valkovicova

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#24

David: Raised In Belgium, Facing Removal To The Drc

David: Raised In Belgium, Facing Removal To The Drc

"David (not his real name) grew up in Brussels and dreams of a career in fashion, but hardline laws make him an asylum seeker in his own country. Despite being born in France and raised in Belgium by Congolese parents, David is in serious danger of being deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo (a country abandoned by his parents when they were still children). Refused by his father because of his homosexuality, he moved into a flat with three other gay asylum seekers through Le Refuge, an organization supporting isolated LGBTQI+ youth." Photographer: Alessia Capasso

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J Charming
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eyes are the windows of the soul, the story this beautiful young mans eyes tell is heartbreaking.

#25

Seven

Seven

"According to the classic scripts of Chinese medicine, the 7 emotions—ecstasy, fury, worry, reverie, grief, terror, and shock—are causes of chaos. If left untamed, they can disrupt the heart, intestines, and the Qi of a balanced body." Photograph by: Wei Ding

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#26

We Run, You Fly

We Run, You Fly

"Dimpy Bhalotia is an award-winning celebrated street photographer of Indian origin based in London. Her project which is titled 'We Run, You Fly' is a very important project for her. This project is to highlight the depletion of birds in the urban world. Earth is a balance of the ecosystem between humans, animals, and natural resources. Any system interrupted or disturbed and humans won’t exist. It's a mistake that will echo for generations to come. She is raising her voice through her photographs." Photographer: Dimpy Bhalotia

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Cheryl Fontaine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my own backyard in a suburb in PA I have observed the disappearance of several species of birds that once visited my yards year round.... now there are no birds save sparrows, starlings, and the very occasional crow flying high. Took my feeders down this year. I mourn the birds and pray for their return, but man is relentless in his destruction of the precious for the profane.

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#27

Concrete Tetrapods

Concrete Tetrapods

Photographer: Pei Hsuan Wu

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Full Name
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like Dr Dre and Apple are into really big concrete advertisements that dissipate the kinetic energy of waves. Who knew?

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#28

Alternative Realities: Escaping The Lockdown II

Alternative Realities: Escaping The Lockdown II

"Alternative Realities: Beach Club Scene at Bondi Beach escaping the Lockdown."

Photograph by: Dietmar Sorgatz

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#29

Cocoon

Cocoon

"A photographic study of human beauty and fragility. Image captured underwater."


Photograph by: Torleif Lie

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#30

Growing Up In India´s Coal Belt

Growing Up In India´s Coal Belt

"The coal fields in Jharia at the heart of India's coal belt have been burning for more than 100 years. Villages perched on the edge of the pits still house people, threatening to collapse from one day to the next. Open-pit mining is expanding in the region having a profound impact on the environment and the people who live here. Every morning before sunrise, the coal fields and disused mines come alive with scavengers who pilfer coal to sell on the black market in order to make a meager living. For the new generation growing up here, will this be the only way of life too?" Photograph by: Costa Corbas

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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best of luck, kid. I'd like all those who think any Western leader is a tyrant or a communist or a whatever to tell this kid just how awful it is in your country.

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Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.