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We’re lucky to live in an age where we can find beautiful photos of anything we want online. Adorable puppies, stunning culinary creations, remote places in nature and even close-ups of tiny insects are at our fingertips. But we’re all capable of taking striking photos, because some of the most captivating subjects are human beings!

Below, you’ll find some of the most beautiful and eye-catching photos of people that have been shared in this subreddit that’s dedicated to capturing the human experience. So enjoy scrolling through these pictures, and keep reading to find a conversation with professional photographer Sergio Garcia!

#1

Two Girls Kissing In Front Of An Anti-Gay Protest

Two Girls Kissing In Front Of An Anti-Gay Protest

DENllZ Report

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    #3

    This Is The Woman Whose Handwritten Calculations Were Responsible For Taking Us To The Moon, Katherine Johnson, Was An American Mathematician & Nasa Employee. Born: August 26, 1918, White Sulphur Springs, Wv Died: February 24, 2020, Newport News, Va. She Was 101

    This Is The Woman Whose Handwritten Calculations Were Responsible For Taking Us To The Moon, Katherine Johnson, Was An American Mathematician & Nasa Employee. Born: August 26, 1918, White Sulphur Springs, Wv Died: February 24, 2020, Newport News, Va. She Was 101

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    There are infinite fascinating things on this planet, and one of those things just happens to be: us! There are over 8 billion people on Earth who speak thousands of different languages and have millions of unique habits, physical features and experiences. So as mundane as it may seem to capture people on film, it can actually teach us a lot about ourselves and others around us to take photos of one another.

    That’s something that the subreddit we’re featuring on this list understands. Noting on their homepage that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” this group is dedicated to sharing “high quality images of humans.”

    “We are focused on looking at what humans are, more than what they do,” the community’s about section states. “To show you how humans exist. How people show their emotions and inner self.”  

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    #5

    Stanislav Petrov, The Man Who Made The Decision Not To Fire At The United States After A Faulty Report From The Russian Missile Detection That A Nuke Had Been Fired, What Probably Prevented WWIII

    Stanislav Petrov, The Man Who Made The Decision Not To Fire At The United States After A Faulty Report From The Russian Missile Detection That A Nuke Had Been Fired, What Probably Prevented WWIII

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    #6

    Iranian Chess Player Dorsa Derakhshani Plays For The Us Team After Being Banned From Playing Without Her Hijab In Her Own Team

    Iranian Chess Player Dorsa Derakhshani Plays For The Us Team After Being Banned From Playing Without Her Hijab In Her Own Team

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    As far as the rules of this subreddit, there are only a few simple ones: share portraits only (faces must be visible), include as much context about the image as possible, and only submit static images. Aside from that, members are free to share as many stunning, fascinating and eye-catching photos of celebrities, their grandparents, their friends and people they meet while on vacation as they like.

    While taking photos of people might seem simple, there’s no question that we love looking at one another (and ourselves), even on social media. According to a study from Georgia Tech University, photos with human faces are 38% more successful on Instagram than pictures without people. These photos are also one third more likely to attract comments.    

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    #7

    Four Tibetan Monks Came Into This Guy's Drag Show In Beijing Because They Were Drawn In By The Music And Laughter

    Four Tibetan Monks Came Into This Guy's Drag Show In Beijing Because They Were Drawn In By The Music And Laughter

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    #9

    Mother And Daughter In Traditional Attire From Chiapas, Mexico, By Evangeline C. Rodriguez

    Mother And Daughter In Traditional Attire From Chiapas, Mexico, By Evangeline C. Rodriguez

    MarsNirgal Report

    As far as why we enjoy looking at photos of humans so much, Saeideh Bakhshi, the Georgia Tech College of Computing Ph.D. student who led the study, says that it’s something we start doing at birth. “Even as babies, people love to look at faces,” she explained. “Faces are powerful channels of non-verbal communication. We constantly monitor them for a variety of contexts, including attractiveness, emotions and identity.”

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    To learn more about what makes a portrait particularly captivating, we reached out to professional photographer Sergio Garcia, who was kind enough to share some of his thoughts with Bored Panda. "What makes a photo of a person really hit home for me is when it nails a raw moment that gets you to do two things: stop and think," the expert shared. "Lighting, environment, and action—or the lack of it—can make you stop. Then, the 'think' comes in. What's the story here? What happened 10 minutes after the shot? What was I up to when I captured it? The questions don't stop, and neither should they."

    Sergio also pointed out that what makes a photo striking is subjective. "A grandma in the midwest snapping pics of her grandkids on her new iPhone would find them striking," he noted. "So, context is king. And no, you don't need fancy gear to capture something meaningful."

    #13

    My 86 Year Old Math Teacher. He’s Been Teaching For 6 Decades

    My 86 Year Old Math Teacher. He’s Been Teaching For 6 Decades

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    Nea
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have special place in my heart for teachers who really care about their role. This man is so convincing.

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    #14

    Little Girl And Her Horned Lizard At The Venice Beach Pet Show, California, 1936

    Little Girl And Her Horned Lizard At The Venice Beach Pet Show, California, 1936

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    #15

    Amazonian Girl And Her Pet Sloth

    Amazonian Girl And Her Pet Sloth

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    As for amateur photogs who want to take great pictures of their friends, Sergio suggests that they aim for "interesting" over "high quality."

    "People remember photos that grip them, not necessarily those that are technically impeccable," he explained. "So, amateurs: craft a storyline around your portraits. Imagine taking a city dweller and photographing them as a farmer in times square. That'd turn heads. Or go subtle, shoot against a simple backdrop but direct your subject's expressions. Both are intriguing." 

    "For the tech-savvy, yeah, basics like composition and lens choice matter," Sergio added. "I enjoy my 85mm for close-ups and my 35mm for broader frames."

    #16

    Little Girl Is Thrilled By Her Dad's Amazing Balancing Act In Melbourne, Australia - C.1940

    Little Girl Is Thrilled By Her Dad's Amazing Balancing Act In Melbourne, Australia - C.1940

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    #17

    Ridiculously Photogenic German Police And Protester

    Ridiculously Photogenic German Police And Protester

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't believe I have ever seen a photo of police and protestors smiling in the middle of this sort of an interaction. I don't know why, but it restores my faith in humanity a bit.

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    #18

    Construction Worker Jason Oglesbee Rescues A Woman From The Des Moines River

    Construction Worker Jason Oglesbee Rescues A Woman From The Des Moines River

    HeStoleMyBalloons Report

    We were also curious about some of Sergio's favorite photos that he's ever taken. "Early on, I shot a friend as if he'd just been in a fight—fake blood, white shirt, the works," the photographer shared. "One image still haunts me; it's how he threw his head back and how the 'blood' splattered on his teeth."

    "Another gem was with an actor from Stranger Things. We riffed on different themes, and when he said he used to be in a band, it clicked," Sergio told Bored Panda. "I got shots of him miming guitar play and then evolving to this 'shocked-at-the-mirror' look. It's how he brought those emotions to life that still strikes a chord with me."

    #19

    I Met A Woman With A Possum And A Beautifully Sincere Smile

    I Met A Woman With A Possum And A Beautifully Sincere Smile

    ladypugsworth Report

    #21

    A Nepali Girl During Holi, The Festival Of Colors. Photo By Mihaela Noroc In 'The Atlas Of Beauty'

    A Nepali Girl During Holi, The Festival Of Colors. Photo By Mihaela Noroc In 'The Atlas Of Beauty'

    aakash54 Report

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    Sergio also left us with some wise words about taking photos of people: "Portrait photography isn’t just about nailing the technique. It's empathy, intuition, and finding gems in everyday life. So keep pushing those boundaries, keep shooting, and, most of all, keep connecting."

    If you're in need of a great photographer, be sure to visit Sergio's website!

    #22

    A Little Girl In Northern Iraq Helping To Block A Flare From Hitting My Lens

    A Little Girl In Northern Iraq Helping To Block A Flare From Hitting My Lens

    paperisdelicious Report

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    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To quote my racist father when he actually "met" a foreigner: "Why, they're just like us!"

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    #24

    College Girl Being Catcalled During A Photoshoot. This Is The Exact Moment She Heard It

    College Girl Being Catcalled During A Photoshoot. This Is The Exact Moment She Heard It

    bulabulabambam Report

    We don't all have professional photogs at our fingertips, though, so we enjoy taking photos of our own faces as well (as anyone with an Instagram can attest to). There are over 300 million pictures on the app that have been hashtagged “selfie,” and countless more being shared every single day. Faces are incredibly important to us, as we’re likely to notice them first and pay closer attention to them than any other part of the body.   

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    #25

    Dancer In Dublin

    Dancer In Dublin

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    #26

    A Woman's Last Moments With Her Friend

    A Woman's Last Moments With Her Friend

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    #27

    Usually, I Don't Smile In Pics So This Is Very Rare. My Friend Took This While I Wasn't Paying Attention At A BBQ Recently

    Usually, I Don't Smile In Pics So This Is Very Rare. My Friend Took This While I Wasn't Paying Attention At A BBQ Recently

    Dupreechristoph Report

    Some people even share selfies online because they can help them feel more confident and boost their self-esteem. 41% of adult women and 65% of teens report that posting selfies and other flattering pics of themselves has a positive impact on their self-confidence. 40% of teens even note that social media helps them “present their best face” to the world.    

    #28

    This Is Sandra. She's 25 And Just Started Her Own Falconry

    This Is Sandra. She's 25 And Just Started Her Own Falconry

    hardypart Report

    #29

    A Couple In A Photo Booth, 1960s

    A Couple In A Photo Booth, 1960s

    Paul-Belgium Report

    We hope you’re enjoying looking at these photos that celebrate how beautiful humans are, pandas. Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly captivating, and let us know in the comments what some of your favorite photos of people are. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring pictures of humans “doing human things,” we recommend reading this piece next

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    #30

    Four Women At Chicken Bone Beach, A Segregated Beach In Atlantic City By John W. Mosley, 1960s

    Four Women At Chicken Bone Beach, A Segregated Beach In Atlantic City By John W. Mosley, 1960s

    notbob1959 Report

    #31

    Traditional Gowns And Braids Of The Pomak Village Of Startsevo, Bulgaria

    Traditional Gowns And Braids Of The Pomak Village Of Startsevo, Bulgaria

    AxelAbraxas Report

    #32

    Culturally Different Brothers In Burma

    Culturally Different Brothers In Burma

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    #33

    A Woman From Luzon Photographed In 1875

    A Woman From Luzon Photographed In 1875

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    #34

    Ethiopian Beggar Boy With Blue Eyes On The Streets Of Jinka, By Mike Eloff

    Ethiopian Beggar Boy With Blue Eyes On The Streets Of Jinka, By Mike Eloff

    Kresley Report

    #35

    22 Year Old Penha Goes From Aldeia Yanomami, Amazonas - Brazil, 1997

    22 Year Old Penha Goes From Aldeia Yanomami, Amazonas - Brazil, 1997

    BricksHaveBeenShat Report

    #36

    Emotions Of A Woman After Giving Birth, By Kristen Lewis

    Emotions Of A Woman After Giving Birth, By Kristen Lewis

    liveinsociety Report

    #37

    A Little Girl Holds A Flipper As She Walks With A Penguin Family Around The London Zoo In 1937

    A Little Girl Holds A Flipper As She Walks With A Penguin Family Around The London Zoo In 1937

    Reporter_at_large Report

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    #38

    Mother And Child By François Pache, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

    Mother And Child By François Pache, Omo Valley, Ethiopia

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    #39

    Indian Dancer At The Spring Festival

    Indian Dancer At The Spring Festival

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    #40

    Rabari Shepherd In Rajasthan, India, Photo By Steve Mccurry, 2009

    Rabari Shepherd In Rajasthan, India, Photo By Steve Mccurry, 2009

    Slow-moving-sloth Report

    #41

    Two Children On A Bank In Alabama, 1956

    Two Children On A Bank In Alabama, 1956

    snowsnothing Report

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    Rob D
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    1 year ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #43

    A Tribesman From Rural Papua New Guinea With His Face Painted Like An Undead Spirit

    A Tribesman From Rural Papua New Guinea With His Face Painted Like An Undead Spirit

    arijitdas Report

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    JoMeBee
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So I can't imagine a tribesman from rural Papua New Guinea purchasing colored contacts in which case this man has some wild eye color. I have never seen anything like it. It's incredible!

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    #44

    Aboriginal Man, Tom Noytuna And His Son, Use A Newly Installed Telephone For Their First Time At A Remote Outstation At Korlobidahdah, Central Arnhem Land, Australia ... (C.1980)

    Aboriginal Man, Tom Noytuna And His Son, Use A Newly Installed Telephone For Their First Time At A Remote Outstation At Korlobidahdah, Central Arnhem Land, Australia ... (C.1980)

    Reporter_at_large Report

    #45

    Mother Fixing Her Sons Hair On A Train

    Mother Fixing Her Sons Hair On A Train

    Lilyan_Lilia Report

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    #47

    Japanese Samurai During The Last Days Of The Tokugawa Shogunate, Circa 1865

    Japanese Samurai During The Last Days Of The Tokugawa Shogunate, Circa 1865

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    #48

    When A Vacation By The Sea Collides With The Arrival Of Refugees

    When A Vacation By The Sea Collides With The Arrival Of Refugees

    hardypart Report

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    Malcom Berry
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least they will get the help the people in the foreground are concerned enough to help even if just words and water the world has gone bad that people are fleeing their own countries to feel safe and then sometimes like in UK at Stradey Park Wales they are treated like outcasts the world is for sharing its the Government's that are the problem

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    #50

    West African Exiled 'Desert Rock' Group Tinariwen. Shot By Thomas Dorn

    West African Exiled 'Desert Rock' Group Tinariwen. Shot By Thomas Dorn

    MightyGrey Report

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    MargyB
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh sheesh! I read that they had been 'shot' like from a gun. I hope they mean just photographed

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    #51

    Geisha On Her Way Home From Work. Kyoto, Japan

    Geisha On Her Way Home From Work. Kyoto, Japan

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    #52

    A Child Admiring A Small Owl In Tokyo, Japan

    A Child Admiring A Small Owl In Tokyo, Japan

    byeseeyoulater Report

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    Nea
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is he looking at the owl? Maybe the owl is looking at the child…

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    #53

    Coffee Farmer's Son, Photo By Steve Mccurry, Lambari, Brazil, 2010

    Coffee Farmer's Son, Photo By Steve Mccurry, Lambari, Brazil, 2010

    notbob1959 Report

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He took the photo of the beautiful girl on the cover of National Geographic, I believe.

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    #54

    Vincenc Jetelina At 30 Years Old And At 105 Years Old. One Of Jan Langer's Portraits Of Czech Centenarians Compared To When They Were Young Adults

    Vincenc Jetelina At 30 Years Old And At 105 Years Old. One Of Jan Langer's Portraits Of Czech Centenarians Compared To When They Were Young Adults

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    #55

    An Elder From Balochistan, Pakistan

    An Elder From Balochistan, Pakistan

    mwJalal Report

    #56

    Japanese Nurse Dressed In Black During The Russo-Japanese War... 1905

    Japanese Nurse Dressed In Black During The Russo-Japanese War... 1905

    Reporter_at_large Report

    #57

    A Woman At The Janadriyah Cultural Festival In Saudi Arabia

    A Woman At The Janadriyah Cultural Festival In Saudi Arabia

    santorumsandwich Report

    #58

    A Girl In Palangan, Kurdistan, Iran, During Annual Newroz Celebration

    A Girl In Palangan, Kurdistan, Iran, During Annual Newroz Celebration

    HeStoleMyBalloons Report

    #59

    Mayan Street Vendor In Playa Del Carmen

    Mayan Street Vendor In Playa Del Carmen

    Cu3rvo10 Report

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    Nea
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Body painting across indigenous cultures seem as similar as distinct from each other. I wish I had time to study this!

    #61

    Old Warrior, Ethiopia, Photo By Izidor Gašperlin

    Old Warrior, Ethiopia, Photo By Izidor Gašperlin

    notbob1959 Report

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    Anička
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This guy has seen some s**t, but he doesn't kinda has a kind face, too. I wish I knew what he was thinking in this pic. Super fascinating pic!

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    #62

    A Woman During The Great Smog Of London, 1952

    A Woman During The Great Smog Of London, 1952

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    #63

    International Students At Moscow State University, 1961

    International Students At Moscow State University, 1961

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    #64

    Fresh French Fries

    Fresh French Fries

    MurphShoots Report