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Portrait photography and photojournalism are two potentially intense and powerful art forms that don't always get the recognition they deserve, so we thought we should show you some of the most powerful and diverse portraits of people around the world that we've ever seen.

Both the faces of the people in these photos and their contexts speak volumes about the people pictured and the worlds they live in. Some can be unimaginably and even horrifically different from ours, while other once-exotic worlds seem to grow closer and more interconnected with our own. Though they are only photos, looking into their eyes can still give us a feeling of connection.

If you have a powerful portrait that you think should be added to this collection, please don't hesitate to add it and vote for your favorites as well.

#1

Yezidi Girl Carries An Assault Rifle To Protect Her Family Against ISIS

Yezidi Girl Carries An Assault Rifle To Protect Her Family Against ISIS

Zmnako Ismael Khalid Report

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    #2

    Somayeh Mehri (29) And Her Daughter Rana Afghanipour (3) Give Each Other A Kiss. After Being Disfigured In An Acid Attack, They Say Others Don’t Like To Kiss Them

    Somayeh Mehri (29) And Her Daughter Rana Afghanipour (3) Give Each Other A Kiss. After Being Disfigured In An Acid Attack, They Say Others Don’t Like To Kiss Them

    Ebrahim Noroozi Report

    #3

    A Boy Rescues His Sister From Underneath The Rubble Of Their Home In Syria

    A Boy Rescues His Sister From Underneath The Rubble Of Their Home In Syria

    reuters Report

    #4

    Heart Surgeon After 23-Hour-Long (Successful) Heart Transplant. His Assistant Is Sleeping

    Heart Surgeon After 23-Hour-Long (Successful) Heart Transplant. His Assistant Is Sleeping

    James Stanfield Report

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    DorotaDorotaki
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is Zbigniew Religa - legendary Polish heart surgeon. He died in 2009. There is a movie about his life made last year - 'Bogowie' (Gods)

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    #5

    Diego Frazão Torquato, A 12-Year-Old Brazilian, Playing Violin At His Teacher’s Funeral

    Diego Frazão Torquato, A 12-Year-Old Brazilian, Playing Violin At His Teacher’s Funeral

    salvemasnossascriancas.blogspot.com Report

    #6

    Little Guarani Girl Holds On Tight To A Dead Rat

    Little Guarani Girl Holds On Tight To A Dead Rat

    Gregory J. Smith Report

    #7

    Egyptian Woman Kisses A Policeman That Refused To Fire On Protestors

    Egyptian Woman Kisses A Policeman That Refused To Fire On Protestors

    tolaire.com Report

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    #9

    This Girl Survived 11 Days In A Siberian Forest

    This Girl Survived 11 Days In A Siberian Forest

    huffingtonpost.com Report

    #10

    Black Baby Holding An Albino Baby

    Black Baby Holding An Albino Baby

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    #12

    A 13-Year-Old Eagle Huntress In Mongolia

    A 13-Year-Old Eagle Huntress In Mongolia

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    #13

    Unknown Soldier On Duty In South Vietnam, 1965

    Unknown Soldier On Duty In South Vietnam, 1965

    Horst Faas Report

    #14

    Two Women Who Were Finally Able To Marry After 72 Years Together

    Two Women Who Were Finally Able To Marry After 72 Years Together

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    #15

    Blind Albino Students Stand In A Dorm At The Vivekananda Mission School In India

    Blind Albino Students Stand In A Dorm At The Vivekananda Mission School In India

    Brent Stirton Report

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    #17

    Rwandan Boy Left Scarred After Being Liberated From A Death Camp

    Rwandan Boy Left Scarred After Being Liberated From A Death Camp

    James Nachtwey Report

    #19

    A 106-Year-Old Armenian Woman Guards Her Home

    A 106-Year-Old Armenian Woman Guards Her Home

    Armineh Johannes Report

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    DavidMorgan
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are many Armenian women both young and old,who protect their homes like this in nowadays.

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    #20

    A Chinese Paramilitary Police Recruit Breaks Into Tears Before Shipping Off For Service

    A Chinese Paramilitary Police Recruit Breaks Into Tears Before Shipping Off For Service

    imgur.com Report

    #21

    Omayra Trapped Under The Fallen Debris Of Her House. She Died Just Hours After This Photo Was Taken

    Omayra Trapped Under The Fallen Debris Of Her House. She Died Just Hours After This Photo Was Taken

    Frank Fournier Report

    #22

    The Migrant Mother - An Iconic Image Of The Great Depression

    The Migrant Mother - An Iconic Image Of The Great Depression

    Dorothea Lange Report

    #24

    A Malnourished Mother And Child At An Emergency Feeding Center In Tahoua, Niger

    A Malnourished Mother And Child At An Emergency Feeding Center In Tahoua, Niger

    Finbarr O'Reilly Report

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    #25

    Siberian Family Meal

    Siberian Family Meal

    imgur.com Report

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    AmyWeiss
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like that they're having this big, bloody meal...and drinking out of teacups.

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    #26

    A Miner Takes A Break Inside An Unregulated Coalmine In Sabinas, Mexico

    A Miner Takes A Break Inside An Unregulated Coalmine In Sabinas, Mexico

    Reuters Report

    #27

    The Eyes That Speak - A Muslim Woman Wearing A Hijab

    The Eyes That Speak - A Muslim Woman Wearing A Hijab

    Steve McCurry Report

    #29

    A Woman With Ambras Syndrome. In The Middle Ages, These People Were Called Werewolves

    A Woman With Ambras Syndrome. In The Middle Ages, These People Were Called Werewolves

    Bronek Kaminski Report

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    LuzHerrera
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the hair on her face must be soft and silky. in fact it makes me wanna hug her and kiss her on her cheeks :)

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    #30

    A Coal Miner Smokes A Cigarette After Finishing His Shift On The Outskirts Of Changzhi

    A Coal Miner Smokes A Cigarette After Finishing His Shift On The Outskirts Of Changzhi

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    #32

    A Girl From The Minority Yazidi Sect Rests At The Iraqi-Syrian Border

    A Girl From The Minority Yazidi Sect Rests At The Iraqi-Syrian Border

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    #33

    Boy From The Suri Tribe

    Boy From The Suri Tribe

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    #34

    A Girl Covered In Traditional Body Paint Holds Her Puppy

    A Girl Covered In Traditional Body Paint Holds Her Puppy

    David Lazar Report

    #35

    A Final Embrace: The Most Haunting Photograph From Bangladesh

    A Final Embrace: The Most Haunting Photograph From Bangladesh

    time.com Report

    #36

    Stilt Fishermen

    Stilt Fishermen

    Steve McCurry Report

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    TarynWallace
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so cool. I can't imagine the skill (not to mention strength) it takes to do this.

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    #38

    A Man Cries While Flipping Through A Family Album He Found In The Rubble Of His Old House

    A Man Cries While Flipping Through A Family Album He Found In The Rubble Of His Old House

    Mads Nissen Report

    #39

    Portrait Photographer in Afghanistan

    Portrait Photographer in Afghanistan

    Steve McCurry Report

    #40

    Tea Time In Yamal, Russia

    Tea Time In Yamal, Russia

    Сергей Анисимов Report

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    Chelsea Evans
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have an actual phobia of being cold. So this freaks me put but I love that it's a family having tea no matter what climate or part of the world they're in! It's sweet.

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    #41

    Cuban Woman Smoking A Cigar And Holding A Ring Flash

    Cuban Woman Smoking A Cigar And Holding A Ring Flash

    Jorge Pozuelo Report

    #42

    An 18 Year Old IDF Soldier Pauses After A Long Run In Full Gear And Battle Paint

    An 18 Year Old IDF Soldier Pauses After A Long Run In Full Gear And Battle Paint

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    MaartenKuiper
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this is my favourite of the entire series. Very beautiful photograph!

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    #44

    Toshimana, A Maiko In Kyoto, Japan

    Toshimana, A Maiko In Kyoto, Japan

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    #45

    Papua New Guinea Woman During A Singsing Celebration In Mount Hagen

    Papua New Guinea Woman During A Singsing Celebration In Mount Hagen

    Eric Lafforgue Report

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    LeisaCearr
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been to a sing sing in Mt Hagen when I was 13 years old- crazy with cassowary races, insane bungee jumping & pet tree kangaroos !

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    #46

    Village Elder In Sapa, Vietnam

    Village Elder In Sapa, Vietnam

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    #47

    One Of The Last Four White Rhino's In The World (kenya)

    One Of The Last Four White Rhino's In The World (kenya)

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    JeanneDeaux
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sad he must live with bodyguards instead of being free and happy... Hope they'll be able to save him and the three other ones.

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    #48

    A Girl Holds A Rifle As Fighters Of Al-quds Brigades, The Military Wing Of Islamic Jihad, Gather In Gaza City

    A Girl Holds A Rifle As Fighters Of Al-quds Brigades, The Military Wing Of Islamic Jihad, Gather In Gaza City

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    #50

    Peace

    Peace

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    JoeHoehn
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are still plenty of men, women & children who want our help in the world. God bless our troops!

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    #51

    Minority Village Girls Selling Their Works, Sa Pa, Vietnam

    Minority Village Girls Selling Their Works, Sa Pa, Vietnam

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    #52

    Woman In Traditional Costume, Maramures, Romania

    Woman In Traditional Costume, Maramures, Romania

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    #53

    A Man Pouring Tea In The Middle Of Desert, Jordany,

    A Man Pouring Tea In The Middle Of Desert, Jordany,

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    #54

    Homeless Man On The Day Of The Summer Festival, Tirana, Albania.

    Homeless Man On The Day Of The Summer Festival, Tirana, Albania.

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    #55

    Syrian Refugee At Turkey

    Syrian Refugee At Turkey

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    #57

    An Old Burmese Woman

    An Old Burmese Woman

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    #62

    Kathakali Dancer From Kerela

    Kathakali Dancer From Kerela

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    #64

    Taghi The Carpenter!

    Taghi The Carpenter!

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    selchidh
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh I just want to shake his hand! He looks like a gentle and kind man.

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    #65

    Icelandic Womens In The Country (1930-1940)

    Icelandic Womens In The Country (1930-1940)

    Unknownphothografer Report

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    #66

    Purple Hands (hmong Of Vietnam)

    Purple Hands (hmong Of Vietnam)

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    #67

    Man Sleeping In A French Train, From Caen To Paris.

    Man Sleeping In A French Train, From Caen To Paris.

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    #69

    Rice Farmer In Small Vietnamese Village

    Rice Farmer In Small Vietnamese Village

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    #70

    Coming Home From The Coal Mine - Near Datong, China

    Coming Home From The Coal Mine - Near Datong, China

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    #71

    An Old Romani Woman Sitting In Front Of Her House In Tirana, Albania

    An Old Romani Woman Sitting In Front Of Her House In Tirana, Albania

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    Chelsea Evans
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks old but well maintained. Its aged but not dirty and the yard and the walkway is swept clean. I'd say it's probably a very cozy little property. And if she's the one doing all the work I say she has a right to pop a squat wherever and whenever she feels like it.

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    #74

    Woman Having A Beer In Barcelona.

    Woman Having A Beer In Barcelona.

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    P.Brux FHell
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, the good ole' spanish-something-spanish dictionary for travelers

    #75

    Reina Isabel From La Chureca A 31 Years Old Scavenger With Tuberculosis."

    Reina Isabel From La Chureca A 31 Years Old Scavenger With Tuberculosis."

    www.facebook.com Report

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    #76

    Girl Standing Near Her Home, Kenya

    Girl Standing Near Her Home, Kenya

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    #77

    Cape Verde - Watching The Fishes

    Cape Verde - Watching The Fishes

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    #78

    Female 'igorot' Elder Begging From Tourists - (baguio City, Philippines

    Female 'igorot' Elder Begging From Tourists - (baguio City, Philippines

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    #79

    Bataan Death March Survivor Relives A Moment In Time.

    Bataan Death March Survivor Relives A Moment In Time.

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    #80

    "la Jeune Fille A La Fleur"

    "la Jeune Fille A La Fleur"

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    MatthieuWidehen
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “La Jeune Fille À La Fleur”... http://lesensdesimages.com/2012/06/05/analyse-dun-photographie-la-fille-a-la-fleur-de-marc-riboud-1967/

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    #81

    A Eldery Icelandic Woman Serving Sweets

    A Eldery Icelandic Woman Serving Sweets

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    #82

    Child In Baia Mare Ghetto, Romania. (c) Gus Palmer

    Child In Baia Mare Ghetto, Romania. (c) Gus Palmer

    www.guspalmer.co.uk Report

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    Anita Foster
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How great a contrast between this picture and the joyous old thai man on the next picture.... So sad

    #83

    A Very Long Journey - Vietnam

    A Very Long Journey - Vietnam

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    #84

    An Old Woman Sittng In The Afternoon Sun, Near Ponferrada, Spain.

    An Old Woman Sittng In The Afternoon Sun, Near Ponferrada, Spain.

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    #85

    Little Girl, Kenya

    Little Girl, Kenya

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    #86

    Capitana Grande Fidelia From Guaraní-izozog, Bolivia.

    Capitana Grande Fidelia From Guaraní-izozog, Bolivia.

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    #87

    Children Performing Traditional Japanese Dance: Sendai, Japan

    Children Performing Traditional Japanese Dance: Sendai, Japan

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    #88

    Old Thai Man With His Monkey

    Old Thai Man With His Monkey

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    Maysa Niyazova
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Horrid man. Yeah, it's very cute that you have a monkey chained up and with that heavy ring around his neck.

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    #90

    In The House Gate / No Portão De Casa

    In The House Gate / No Portão De Casa

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    #91

    Hand Rolling 6000 Incense Sticks Per Day - Mysore Southern India - Credit Ashley Calvert

    Hand Rolling 6000 Incense Sticks Per Day - Mysore Southern India - Credit Ashley Calvert

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    #92

    Cape Verde - Two Kids Getting Ready To Jump

    Cape Verde - Two Kids Getting Ready To Jump

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    #93

    Peruvian Woman, Cuzco, Peru (by Gina Mako)

    Peruvian Woman, Cuzco, Peru (by Gina Mako)

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    #94

    Malnutrition

    Malnutrition

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    ÖzgürYeşil
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the fight we all must instead of fighting for subjective stupidity.

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    #95

    Zé Pretinho, A Sculptor Of Dolls In Brazil

    Zé Pretinho, A Sculptor Of Dolls In Brazil

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    #96

    Celtic Pavilion At The Annual Winnipeg Folklorama - Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Celtic Pavilion At The Annual Winnipeg Folklorama - Winnipeg, Manitoba

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    #98

    Peshmerge Kurdistan

    Peshmerge Kurdistan

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    #99

    Voladores De Papantla (mexico)

    Voladores De Papantla (mexico)

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    #100

    "i Think, Therefore I Am Free" - Young Manifesting In Bordeaux (france), For #jesuischarlie

    "i Think, Therefore I Am Free" - Young Manifesting In Bordeaux (france), For #jesuischarlie

    YoungmanifestinginBORDEAUX(France),fortheevent Report

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    #101

    Bite

    Bite

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    #102

    Abhisumat, 12 Years Old In Thanjavur - India

    Abhisumat, 12 Years Old In Thanjavur - India

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    #103

    On Holiday With Grandad In Slovenia

    On Holiday With Grandad In Slovenia

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    #104

    Brazilian Blue-eyed Boy

    Brazilian Blue-eyed Boy

    www.flickr.com Report

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    #105

    Brazilian Little Girl And Blue Dress / Menina Brasileira E O Vestido Azul

    Brazilian Little Girl And Blue Dress / Menina Brasileira E O Vestido Azul

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    #106

    Indonesian Kids Playing Plastic Footbal On The Street.

    Indonesian Kids Playing Plastic Footbal On The Street.

    PhotobyChandra,ajuniorhighschoolstudent. Report

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    #107

    In 1974 During The Troubles Of Northern Ireland: Gypsy Girl And Her Carton

    In 1974 During The Troubles Of Northern Ireland: Gypsy Girl And Her Carton

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    #108

    Woman In Vigo, Spain

    Woman In Vigo, Spain

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    #109

    Olhar Ruivo - (catalão/go - Brasil)

    Olhar Ruivo - (catalão/go - Brasil)

    www.flickr.com Report

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    #110

    Namibian Girl On The Roadside

    Namibian Girl On The Roadside

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    #111

    Moroccan Worker Passing By The Imperial Palace Gardens

    Moroccan Worker Passing By The Imperial Palace Gardens

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    #112

    Chozhia Vellalar Woman "paambadam" (serpent Earring) In Tamilnadu, India

    Chozhia Vellalar Woman "paambadam" (serpent Earring) In Tamilnadu, India

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    #113

    Monterrico Guatemala

    Monterrico Guatemala

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    #114

    Green Eyes

    Green Eyes

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    #115

    Generational Head Gear

    Generational Head Gear

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    #116

    Awaiting Their Turn For Check Up.solala Medical Mission,guatemala.

    Awaiting Their Turn For Check Up.solala Medical Mission,guatemala.

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    #117

    Javanese Dance About A Knight Fights An Ogre.

    Javanese Dance About A Knight Fights An Ogre.

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    #118

    Proud, Yet Weary Farmer, Alabama, United States

    Proud, Yet Weary Farmer, Alabama, United States

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    #119

    Patients In The Looted Al-rashad Mental, Saddam City, Baghdad, 2003 – Luis Costa

    Patients In The Looted Al-rashad Mental, Saddam City, Baghdad, 2003 – Luis Costa

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    #120

    Cotton Picker In Costa Rica

    Cotton Picker In Costa Rica

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    #121

    Native Innu Elder And Her Grand Daughter

    Native Innu Elder And Her Grand Daughter

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    #123

    Tibetan Girl

    Tibetan Girl

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    #125

    Children At The 'festival Du Voyageur' In Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Children At The 'festival Du Voyageur' In Winnipeg, Manitoba

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    #126

    Indian Woman, Oaxaca, Mexico 1978

    Indian Woman, Oaxaca, Mexico 1978

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    #127

    Street Portrait Of Sculpturer Luis Antonio. Panama 2014.

    Street Portrait Of Sculpturer Luis Antonio. Panama 2014.

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    #128

    A Parisian Police Nationale Officer Eyes An Approaching Mob.

    A Parisian Police Nationale Officer Eyes An Approaching Mob.

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    #131

    Grapes Of Wrath

    Grapes Of Wrath

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    #132

    Begging For Alms, Bodh Gaya, India.

    Begging For Alms, Bodh Gaya, India.

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    #133

    Indian Girl From Jaipur, India, October 2014

    Indian Girl From Jaipur, India, October 2014

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    #134

    Garilla. Kurdish Women

    Garilla. Kurdish Women

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    #135

    'i Want True Universal Suffrage'_a Hong Kong Protester During The Umbrella Movement

    'i Want True Universal Suffrage'_a Hong Kong Protester During The Umbrella Movement

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