Would it be wrong to say that photos are a powerful means of communication? It seems absurd, right? Wait till you see these breath-taking photos that were selected from the 130,000 submissions to the AGORA Awards Photography Contest 2019. We hope you will be as impressed and inspired as we were.
1. Enjoying The Rain
Rain in forest means a new life for many of the living beings there, especially in areas where it doesn't rain much.
Here, the photographer was able to capture a beautiful red-eyed tree frog in West Java and we have no complaints why this photo was selected.
2. Carrying the World On Her Shoulders
This image is able to show us a life reality. There are people among us who carry a lot more weight of responsibilities on their shoulders than they're supposed to carry.
Here, an ant seems like carrying the weight of the entire world and it looks beautiful and thought-provoking.
3. A Special Spice
For centuries, humans have looked for ways to connect with gods and their ancestors. Have they succeeded? There are polarized opinions on it.
Here, you can see a woman working in an incense field. It is believed that incense connects the living people with their ancestors and gods.
4. A Glimpse of True Friendship
Lizards hunt for bugs, flies, and little insects, but due to their shy nature they hardly go near other creatures.
Here, the photographer was able to capture a cute moment between a lizard and a harmless snail.
5. It’s Meal Time
In the desert, one can say that there is not much to hunt because there are not many animals who can survive the sizzling heat.
However, this sand wasp got lucky and is going home with captured prey.
6. Pure Joy
Kids always find a way to keep themselves entertained and they seem to find happiness and joy in even those things that seem less important to adults.
These young monks found a way to enjoy their time at the Hsinbyume Pagoda.
7. Freedom Fighting Done with Music
We live in a free world and yet there are places in which people are fighting for freedom.
Here, you can see a photo that is worth a thousand words - it is the unspoken struggle of freedom.
8. Life without Colors is Dull
We have to understand that life is too short to live in black and white. There are colors that make life beautiful around us.
These women with their colorful attires are fishing in West Bengal before going to the market to sell the fish.
9. Reaching for Heaven
If we make collective efforts, we can make this world a heaven. But it seems like we are not doing much about it.
Here, it seems like The Mont Saint Michel is trying to reach heaven as it got lost in the middle of the fog.
10. A Huge Desert and Tiny Humans
The area of the Sahara desert is 9,200,000 square kilometers. And yet humans there still opt for the mode of transportation that their ancestors used centuries ago.
The photographer was able to capture a photo of Nomads traveling through the Sahara desert without worrying about the heat or distance.
11. A Daily Struggle
This fisherman is throwing nets in the water of Situ Patenggang Lake to capture fish and it looks so amazing to us, right?
However, what it really shows to us is the daily struggle of this fisherman as the fish population is decreasing due to water pollution and overhunting.
12. A Special Mother-Child Bond
One of the most beautiful things you'll ever find is the bond between a mother and a child.
The photographer waited for more than 2 hours to capture a tender moment between a chimpanzee and its infant at the Tenerife zoo.
13. Double Rainbow Spotted Accidently
A double rainbow occurs when the light is reflected twice in the drop and so they can be rare.
When crossing a bridge in the Lofoten Islands, the photographer saw the double rainbow and wasted no time in capturing it.
14. A Special Bond
For centuries, humans have domesticated animals and used them for their benefit. But what about creating a special bond with them?
This photo shows the cordial relationship between a man and a beast - it is powerful and moving.
15. Snow Horseman
This is not a movie scene. The photo enables you to have a look at the lives of the Mongolian horse herders.
It seems obvious that the entire life of a horse herder in Magnolia revolves around horses.
16. Louder than Words
The expressions on this man's face show that he has been through a lot in his life and he is oozing wisdom that he gained from his life experiences.
The photographer found this saint at a Shrine in Pakistan and he couldn't stop himself from taking the photo.
17. The Gloomy Side of Disneyland
This is not Disneyland as it is the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
However, the vertical panorama of the Castle shows that it looks a lot like Disneyland when it is covered in clouds.
18. A Walk in the Murky Waters
In the jungle, limited water supply means all animals have to come to one common ground to drink water.
This photo was taken in Pleiku, Central Vietnam where Buffalos are bathing freely.
19. The Hunt Begins
In the wild, you have to hunt to survive or save yourself from getting hunted.
The photographer captured a determined lynx in the Cábarceno Natural Park.
20. Freedom Beyond The Fence
To most people, it may seem like a photo of a zebra's eye, but it has more to it.
The photographer took the photo at the Madrid Safari and wanted to show what’s it like to look at freedom beyond the cage.
21. Veins of the Earth
As deforestation and pollution are causing global warming, it is destroying the earth and making it inhabitable.
The photographer tried to show the veins of the earth with a shot taken in East Sussex. We can see the Cuckmere River dividing the grasslands in a mesmerizing manner.
22. Ships Graveyard
Here is proof that nature always wins no matter how hard we try – look at Chernobyl for reference as well.
This shipwreck grave in Brittany, France has some ships that are more than 100 years old.
23. Ruling The Sea
This Msc Orchestra was visiting the harbor close to its hometown when this photo was captured.
This entry was from the contest's youngest finalist (just 18-year-old) from the Jersey Channel Islands.
24. Giving Final Touches
This photo was taken in the traditional umbrellas factory in Mandalay, Myanmar.
It may seem like the work of a single person, but it requires a division of labor to make these beautiful umbrellas.
25. Traditional Catalan Festival
This is a photo taken of the traditional Catalan festival that is celebrated with great passion.
Here we can see Correfocs dressed as devils lighting fireworks in the crowd.