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Comedy and tragedy, or so the saying goes, is a matter of perspective. You falling into a well is comedy, me getting a papercut? Tragedy. Fortunately for most, through the magic of the internet, it’s possible to find and display moments right before (hopefully hilarious) unfortunate events. 

We’ve gathered some wonderful examples of moments captured seconds or even milliseconds before disaster. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote the best ones, and feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. 

#2

Can Never Get A Good Picture Of My Hiking Pals Together So This Is The Best I Can Do

Can Never Get A Good Picture Of My Hiking Pals Together So This Is The Best I Can Do

Cinema104 Report

#7

This Photo Of A Pelican Trying To Eat My Phone

This Photo Of A Pelican Trying To Eat My Phone

tinytoebeans0709 Report

#8

My Lumberjack Brother-In-Law's First Time In Finland Making An Ice Hole. A Good Example Of How Not To Do It

My Lumberjack Brother-In-Law's First Time In Finland Making An Ice Hole. A Good Example Of How Not To Do It

Kampanius Report

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#9

Halloween 1989. That's Me On The Right. My Sister Is Behind Me And About To Have A Really Bad Day

Halloween 1989. That's Me On The Right. My Sister Is Behind Me And About To Have A Really Bad Day

BryanwithaY Report

#10

Something Will Be Missing

Something Will Be Missing

forrestfire Report

#11

My Niece Likes To Chase Seagulls. The Seagulls In Chicago Chase Back

My Niece Likes To Chase Seagulls. The Seagulls In Chicago Chase Back

Alisha33 Report

#12

That One Christmas When A Champagne Cork Hit Me In The Eye

That One Christmas When A Champagne Cork Hit Me In The Eye

romancreed Report

#14

My Daughter Stepping On A LEGO

My Daughter Stepping On A LEGO

ChronicallyPunctual Report

#15

When My Husband Thought It Was A Good Idea To Pick Me Up While Standing Dangerously Close To The Creek After Our Wedding

When My Husband Thought It Was A Good Idea To Pick Me Up While Standing Dangerously Close To The Creek After Our Wedding

bixnok Report

#16

Caught My Puppy Right As He Discovered Why He Shouldn’t Run On Ice To Get To His Best Friend

Caught My Puppy Right As He Discovered Why He Shouldn’t Run On Ice To Get To His Best Friend

No puppies were harmed in the production of this photo.

LaughsMuchTooLoudly Report

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#17

Earthly Pleasures

Earthly Pleasures

Santusak Report

#18

My Girlfriend Was Trying To Take A Photo Of Her Ice Cream

My Girlfriend Was Trying To Take A Photo Of Her Ice Cream

dwhftw Report

#19

The Exact Moment My Brother Got Punched In The Face By This Cheeky Little Lady

The Exact Moment My Brother Got Punched In The Face By This Cheeky Little Lady

marnix14 Report

#21

My Boyfriend Wanted To Take A Picture Of That Glass Of Wine, Then My Dog Showed Up In My Window And Did This

My Boyfriend Wanted To Take A Picture Of That Glass Of Wine, Then My Dog Showed Up In My Window And Did This

bruno_sensei Report

#23

My Stupid Unexpecting Face A Fraction Of A Second Before Being Bit In The Junk

My Stupid Unexpecting Face A Fraction Of A Second Before Being Bit In The Junk

MonkyKnifeFight Report

#24

I Asked If I Could Pet Him. The Answer Was, "Sure, He’s Friendly." Dog Starts Growling In The Second Picture

I Asked If I Could Pet Him. The Answer Was, "Sure, He’s Friendly." Dog Starts Growling In The Second Picture

astronaut_monkey Report

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#25

Not Even The Dog Expected To Go Swimming

Not Even The Dog Expected To Go Swimming

PHIL-yes-PLZ Report

#26

"Is This Cake Batter?" Dunks Entire Head In

"Is This Cake Batter?" Dunks Entire Head In

reddit.com Report

#28

Trying To Take A Picture With The Monkey

Trying To Take A Picture With The Monkey

reddit.com Report

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Mark
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tourists to SE and East Asia. DO NOT MESS WITH THE MONKEYS. They may seem cute but they are used to living with humans and know exactly how to steal food, and they are extremely territorial and protective of their families

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#30

A Second Before The Bite ⁠

A Second Before The Bite ⁠

Wildwildworld Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a Belgian Malinois. Can confirm there is an absolutely legitimate reason that they are nicknamed “Maligators” XD

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#31

My Neighbor's Pipe Broke, And I Am About To Be Flooded. Should I Put A Towel Or A Couple Of Sheets Of Toilet Paper?

My Neighbor's Pipe Broke, And I Am About To Be Flooded. Should I Put A Towel Or A Couple Of Sheets Of Toilet Paper?

Dusken01 Report

#32

The Moment My Sister Was Punched In The Face By A Horse

The Moment My Sister Was Punched In The Face By A Horse

reddit.com Report

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#33

Picture That My Friend Took Down At The Beach The Other Day

Picture That My Friend Took Down At The Beach The Other Day

sophielola_ Report

#35

I Call This One The Dog Crash. No Dogs Were Hurt In This Photo, Just Andy’s Ego

I Call This One The Dog Crash. No Dogs Were Hurt In This Photo, Just Andy’s Ego

krisredd22 Report

#36

My Girlfriend Opening A Snack Next To Seagulls

My Girlfriend Opening A Snack Next To Seagulls

Rough_Beat Report

#38

Apparently, The Spirit Possessing My Cat Doesn't Like Selfies

Apparently, The Spirit Possessing My Cat Doesn't Like Selfies

Kurpool Report

#39

The Fall Of The Tower

The Fall Of The Tower

dreamweaverMK Report

#40

This Image Was Taken Moments Before I Heard My Wife’s Screams Coming From The Bedroom

This Image Was Taken Moments Before I Heard My Wife’s Screams Coming From The Bedroom

Vascular_D Report

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#44

A Bird Perched On My Head Took Flight As I Took The Picture

A Bird Perched On My Head Took Flight As I Took The Picture

holocronix Report

#45

I Started Dating A Girl With A Dog. I Have A Cat. We Decided It Was Time To Introduce Them. This Is Me Just Before Being Caught In Violent Crossfire

I Started Dating A Girl With A Dog. I Have A Cat. We Decided It Was Time To Introduce Them. This Is Me Just Before Being Caught In Violent Crossfire

Classic_Alice Report

#47

0.5 Seconds Before Realizing She Missed The Glass

0.5 Seconds Before Realizing She Missed The Glass

catnip4sale Report

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#52

When You’re Just Trying To Get A Chill Outfit Selfie

When You’re Just Trying To Get A Chill Outfit Selfie

ohcarroll Report

#53

A Picture Of Me As A Kid With A Snowball My Dad Threw At Me Moments Before

A Picture Of Me As A Kid With A Snowball My Dad Threw At Me Moments Before

kayeye6 Report

#54

Took A Photo At The Exact Moment, My Boyfriend Was Bitten By His Squirrel Friend

Took A Photo At The Exact Moment, My Boyfriend Was Bitten By His Squirrel Friend

smcochr2 Report

#55

Naughty Swan

Naughty Swan

Reylin Report

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#57

Photos Taken Seconds Before Disaster

Photos Taken Seconds Before Disaster

stormRed1236 Report

#58

A Pigeon Flew Into The House While My Sister's Friend Was Doing Yoga

A Pigeon Flew Into The House While My Sister's Friend Was Doing Yoga

reddit.com Report

#62

Take A Picture, She Said. "Ok, Just Make Sure She Doesn't Fall Flat On Her Face In A Puddle". 2 Seconds Later

Take A Picture, She Said. "Ok, Just Make Sure She Doesn't Fall Flat On Her Face In A Puddle". 2 Seconds Later

ScooterTed Report

#63

The Moment Before A Bee Flew Into My Face

The Moment Before A Bee Flew Into My Face

hungry_tiger Report

#64

Tried To Take A Nice Summer Picture With The Lads... Got A Football To The Head Instead

Tried To Take A Nice Summer Picture With The Lads... Got A Football To The Head Instead

PM_ME_YOUR_UPPERCUT Report

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#67

Picture Taken Seconds Before Disaster

Picture Taken Seconds Before Disaster

thebastest Report

#68

I Caught A Moment Of This Kid Getting Hit In The Face By A Coin During A Baptism Party A Few Years Ago

I Caught A Moment Of This Kid Getting Hit In The Face By A Coin During A Baptism Party A Few Years Ago

ElanorRigby198 Report

#69

Moment Before

Moment Before

sanchupuncha Report

#70

I Took This Picture Before My Parrot Bit Me And In My Defense I Was Just Taking Pictures

I Took This Picture Before My Parrot Bit Me And In My Defense I Was Just Taking Pictures

I_play_codm Report

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Alexia
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Phones are the mortal enemies of all parrots. All phones must die. Period.

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#71

My Puppy Decided He Also Wanted A Piece Of My Mom's Birthday Cake

My Puppy Decided He Also Wanted A Piece Of My Mom's Birthday Cake

p4755166 Report

#72

My Son Batting A Ball Back Into My Daughter's Face

My Son Batting A Ball Back Into My Daughter's Face

camerontylek Report

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Tempest
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though the ball is so close to contacting her face she still hasn’t reacted cause she’s so busy gobbling up the other ball! 😅

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#73

A Picture My Mom Caught Of Me Wiping Out As A Kid

A Picture My Mom Caught Of Me Wiping Out As A Kid

Mordrie Report

#74

Just Seconds Before He Hits The Ground

Just Seconds Before He Hits The Ground

Laurens7570 Report

#75

My Parents’ Cats Were Finally Being Nice To Each Other, But Things Quickly Changed When I Tried To Take A Picture

My Parents’ Cats Were Finally Being Nice To Each Other, But Things Quickly Changed When I Tried To Take A Picture

itsdave8 Report

#77

One Second Before The Spill

One Second Before The Spill

minimalism.u Report

#78

My Buddy Caught A Fish And The Camera Just Happened To Catch The Exact Moment It Leaped From His Hands

My Buddy Caught A Fish And The Camera Just Happened To Catch The Exact Moment It Leaped From His Hands

Dmatt575 Report

#79

My Poor Cousin Slipping Off The Chair

My Poor Cousin Slipping Off The Chair

ButFat Report

#80

My Friend Is Teaching His Toddler To Ride A Bike

My Friend Is Teaching His Toddler To Ride A Bike

reddit.com Report

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rullyman
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you not have a helmet on a small child who's still learning?

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#82

Tried To Take A Cute Picture With My Beer

Tried To Take A Cute Picture With My Beer

Katierippe Report

#83

Old Photo Of My Brother Falling Off A Porch Chair

Old Photo Of My Brother Falling Off A Porch Chair

colbiekellay Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm just going to be in the corner depressed that OP called a photo from 2001 an "old photo" XD I know it was 23 years ago, so it IS an old photo, but I'm still gonna just go and feel old in the corner now XD

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#84

The One That Got Away

The One That Got Away

amfree88 Report

#85

About To Teach My Daughter About Real Life

About To Teach My Daughter About Real Life

JesusHRChrist Report

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#86

Moments Before An Asphalt Faceplant

Moments Before An Asphalt Faceplant

speedycat2014 Report

#87

My Little Sis Dropped Her Ice Cream

My Little Sis Dropped Her Ice Cream

RurutiaX Report

#88

The Moment My Cone Became A Cup

The Moment My Cone Became A Cup

camerontylek Report

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