A picture is worth a thousand words, but not all pictures are created equal. The pictures we usually feature can be cute, beautiful, funny, or enchanting, but these pictures are powerful. They are gripping and unforgettable because of the volumes they speak about the human condition – about some of the best and worst moments of contemporary human existence.

We should warn our readers that some of these pictures may upset them, while others may fill them with joy. But that’s precisely because these images reflect some of the best and worst parts of the human experience and world events.

Some of these photographs may mean more to some of our readers than to others. But hopefully, they will remind us all that the world can always use a little bit more love, tolerance, compassion and understanding.

P.S: we always try our best to credit each and every photographer, but sometimes it’s impossible to track some of them. Please leave a comment if you know the missing authors.

1. Starving boy and missionary

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Image credits: Mike Wells

2. A vulture waits for the malnourished child to die (1992)

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This photograph created quite a stir on the humaneness of photographing community. The photographer commited suicide despite being awarded for this photo.

3.A protesting Buddhist monk burns himself to death (1963)

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Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist priest in Southern Vietnam , burns himself to death protesting the government’s torture policy against priests. Thich Quang Dug never made a sound or moved while he was burning.

4.Heart surgeon after 23-hour-long (successful) heart transplant. His assistant is sleeping in the corner.

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Image credits: James Stanfield

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