As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look at some of the most memorable events and images of 2020. Events covered in this essay (the first of a three-part photo summary of the year) include the disastrous Australian wildfires, the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic and the new reality of empty public spaces, innovative ways to cope with social-distancing measures, the Democratic presidential primaries, Brexit Day, and much more.
As we approach the end of a year unlike any other in recent memory, here is a look back at some of the major news events and moments of 2020. The coronavirus pandemic took center stage worldwide, disrupting societies, sickening tens of millions, and killing more than 1.5 million people. In June, widespread protests against racial injustice and police brutality erupted after the Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. In the U.S.
While 3 million people live in the state of Nevada—the seventh-largest state by area—nearly 75 percent of that population is concentrated in just one county, Clark County, home to the city of Las Vegas. From the Jarbidge Wilderness Area, through the Great Basin, to Lake Tahoe, and down to the Hoover Dam, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Nevada, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.
Aquarium dining in Singapore, the damaged Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, starlings over Rome, increasing COVID-19 cases worldwide, a drive-through Santa experience in Los Angeles, an aggressive woodpecker in New York, Christmas lights in in London, snow-making in Switzerland, and much more.
As the number of cases of COVID-19 worldwide nears 65 million, and the number of deaths attributed to the disease approaches 1.5 million, many countries are enduring a crushing surge in numbers. The toll on health-care workers, families, and the victims of the disease has been enormous. Gathered below are photographs from around the world of the current battle against COVID-19, taken over the past few weeks.
Pennsylvania is the fifth-most-populous state in the U.S., home to nearly 13 million residents. From Lake Erie, through the Ridge and Valley region, across Pennsylvania Dutch Country, to the city of Philadelphia, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Pennsylvania, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.
A foggy sunrise in Germany, a fiery protest in Guatemala, a resort in the Andaman Sea, a strongman contest in Crimea, the ongoing pandemic worldwide, mourning in Argentina for Diego Maradona, figure skating in Russia, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and much more.
Kansas is the 15th-largest state in the U.S. by area, and home to almost 3 million residents. Nearly 90 percent of the state’s land is dedicated to agricultural use, carried out on some 59,500 farms. Here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Kansas, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.
The Bailong elevators in China, continued wildfires in California, hats on display in Russia, dancers in Australia and Italy, damaging storms in Honduras and the Philippines, a surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S., Christmas preparations during a pandemic, a rocket launch to the International Space Station, and much more.
More than 3,800 entries were received in this year’s landscape-photography competition, from professional and amateur photographers around the world. Judges of the International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest narrowed the field down to a “Top 101” and then further, to award several category prizes and the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award, which went to Kelvin Yuen for his images of Norway, Scotland, and the American Southwest.
One week ago, on November 10, a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed by the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia, ending six weeks of warfare over disputed territory in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is estimated that thousands of fighters and more than a hundred civilians were killed in the fierce conflict.
Montana is the fourth-largest state in the nation, yet it is home to just over 1 million residents. Big Sky Country has about 30 million acres of public lands—roughly one-third of the state. From the mountains, along the rivers, to the vast plains, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Montana, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.
Dancing on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, curfew measures in Bucharest, coronavirus testing in the U.K., monowheel broomsticks in Brazil, a marigold harvest in Kathmandu, celebrations of Joe Biden’s presidential win, a press conference at Philadelphia’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping, Veteran’s Day memorials, a wedding in Moscow, and much more.
The second year of the Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition has just come to a close, and the winners have been announced. The contest “celebrates close-up, macro, and micro photography,” among seven separate categories. More than 6,500 entries were received from 52 countries this year. Organizers have been kind enough to share some of the winners and finalists with us below.
New York has the fourth-largest population of any U.S. state, and is home to the most populous city in the country, New York City. From Buffalo, through the Finger Lakes, to the Hudson Valley, Manhattan, and more, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of New York, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.An earlier version of this photo essay misidentified the location of one of the photos.
After months of difficult campaigning, and days of waiting for the election results to be counted, Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States. People in cities across the U.S. hit the streets to celebrate, honking horns, hugging, and gathering in squares.Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET with eight additional photos.
Hurricane Eta damage in Nicaragua, a Halloween blue moon, a presidential election in the U.S., earthquake aftermath in Turkey, a whale tail wreck in the Netherlands, colorful vineyards in Germany, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, a light show in Shanghai, and much more.
On a day when much of the world’s attention is focused on the United States, I thought it might be nice to share some images from the other side of the planet—specifically the island country of New Zealand. Gathered below are a collection of photographs from the North Island, the South Island, and a few of the other 600 islands that make up the nation of New Zealand.
Mississippi ranks 32nd in area and 34th in population among the states, with more than 2.9 million residents. From the Mississippi Delta, through Jackson, to the Gulf Coast, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Mississippi, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.
Giant waves in Portugal, continued wildfires in California, scenes from Fashion Week in Beijing, the final days of presidential campaigning in the U.S., protests in Chile and Poland, thousands of white flags for COVID-19 victims in the U.S., motocross racing in Sweden, and much more.
The top-scoring panoramic photos entered in the 11th Epson International Pano Awards have just been announced. The contest is meant to showcase the best work of panoramic photographers around the world. Organizers reported that they received 5,859 entries from 1,452 photographers in 96 countries this year, competing for the top spots in five categories, for several special awards, and for some of the cash prizes offered.
Massachusetts is one of the smallest, but most densely populated, states, with a population of nearly 6.9 million. From the Berkshires through the Pioneer Valley to Boston, out to Cape Cod and the Islands, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Massachusetts, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.
Movie-making in Italy, a drive-in viewing of the World Series in Los Angeles, a church set ablaze in Chile, wildfires in Colorado, grandmotherly Tai Chi in China, rugby matches in Australia, balloon crop-spraying in China, rescued huskies in Russia, and much more.
In Thailand, demonstrations against the military-backed government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha have taken place, off and on, since February, interrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns until late July. On October 14, thousands of anti-government protestors rallied near Government House on the anniversary of a 1973 student uprising, calling for the resignation of Chan-o-cha and for reform of the monarchy.
Autumn is definitely the best season. The autumnal equinox took place a few weeks ago, marking the end of summer and the start of fall across the Northern Hemisphere. Once again it is the season of harvests, festivals, migrations, winter preparations, and, of course, spectacular fall foliage. Across the North, people are beginning to feel a crisp chill in the evening air, leaves are splashing mountainsides with bright color, apples and pumpkins are being gathered, and animals are on the move.
Texas is an enormous place—the second-largest state in the U.S., and larger than the entire country of France. About 29 million people live there, mostly in metropolitan areas in the eastern half of the state, around Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. From the streets of El Paso to the hills of East Texas, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Texas, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.
Spider-Man in Mexico City, the NBA Finals in Florida, a dragon boat race in China, BMX racing in the Netherlands, a graduation in Guinea, a bridal photoshoot in Ireland, pro-democracy protests in Thailand, a Supreme Court confirmation hearing, and much more.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, founded in 1965, is an annual international showcase of the best nature photography. This year, the contest attracted more than 49,000 entries from around the world. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. The owners and sponsors have once again been kind enough to share the following winning and commended images from this year’s competition.
Nikon has announced the winners of the 2020 Small World Photomicrography Competition and has once again shared some of the winning and honored images with us. The contest invites photographers and scientists to submit images of all things visible under a microscope. More than 2,000 entries were received from 90 countries in 2020, the 46th year of the competition.
West Virginia is home to just under 1.8 million residents, ranking 39th in the nation. Charleston, the capital and most populous city, has a population of about 46,500. The state is situated entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, and its terrain is dominated by rolling hills, mountains, and valleys. Here are a few glimpses of the landscape of West Virginia, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.