Choosing our favorite photos from the millions of outstanding images in our passionate community was downright nail-biting. But finding our favorite photos of the year (while challenging) was, ultimately, an inspiring project.
We started with the photos uploaded in 2017 that had the most votes in each category, to see what was popular within the community. From there, we curated our top picks from the list, to recognize as many photographers and as much high-quality work as possible. 500px Photo Editors also added their favorite shots of 2017 from Editors’ Choice and the rest of the community, to ensure “undiscovered” work was included, too.
The results reminded us of how much talent and passion the 500px community has to offer. While we can’t recognize every great photographer on the platform, we want to thank you all for the outstanding work you’ve shared with us this year. We hope you enjoy our favorite photos of 2017 as much as we enjoyed discovering them.
This is the second of three installments showcasing our favorite photos of the year—stay tuned for part three on Dec. 29. Read part 1 here.
Performing Arts
What our photo editors loved: These successful shots suggest a story that goes beyond the performance itself. We love the bold colours and graphic shapes found in “Cameras and Dancers” and “Wire Walker,” while the context of the city lends a romantic feeling to “Old Montreal.”
Concert
What our photo editors loved: These photos have captured that electric feeling when you’re in a crush of fans and an artist is giving it their all on stage. We loved the interplay between performer and audience in “Kid Cudi” and “OG Maco”, while the clever composition in “LP” made us smile.
Family
What our photo editors loved: The challenge for any family or child photographer is to document the often-transient emotions of a child in a way that feels real and authentic. We can feel the joy and tenderness in these shots.
Fashion
What our photo editors loved: These fashion shots impressed us with their precision and styling. In each case, the lighting chosen complements the clothing, and any retouching that was done is subtle and effective.
Journalism
What our photo editors loved: Photojournalists are tasked with reporting on current affairs through images. These three exceptional images capture the story and emotion of moments with both international and local significance.
Commercial
What our photo editors loved: These commercial shots impressed us with their impactful technical execution, poppy colours, and bang-on processing.
Film
What our photo editors loved: These film shots are cinematic and hold subtle tones and detail that would be difficult to achieve through digital. We still love the unique quality of film.
Black and White
What our photo editors loved: Without color to enhance the mood, these black and white photographs stand out for their well-executed compositions and multi-layered tones of grey. We were impressed by the texture in these images—the grain of concrete in a modernist structure, hair blowing across a face, or the cool splash of falling water on a hand.
People
What our photo editors loved: These fantastic portraits stood out to us for their use of color, and for the photographers’ clear respect for and connection with their subject. Though they stand on their own, we liked that all three images emerged from larger bodies of work. Using the language of portraiture, these images challenge race and gender stereotypes and invite us to thoughtfully consider issues around identity and community in our world.
Fine Art
What our photo editors loved: These conceptual images are united by a sense of ambiguity and mystery, and all-around-stellar Photoshop work.
Follow the photographers:
- Sasha Onyshchenko
- Michael O’Neal
- Ereal Zhong
- Clémence Rougetet
- Iggy
- Tiago Gonçalves
- Daniela Campisi
- Jim Smith
- Carina König
- Stanislav Istratov
- Sterling Batson
- Luke Nugent
- Nolis Anderson
- Skanda Gautam
- Clickvisual
- Markus Berger
- Blair Bunting
- Jaroslav Wieczorkiewicz
- Anastasia Khandozhenko
- Whitney Minthorn
- Chris Dorley-Brown
- Christophe Staelens
- Rosario Iameo
- Raquel Chicheri
- Eivind Hansen
- Benoit Paille
- Quil Lemons
- Karezoid Michal Karcz
- David Uzochukwu
- Emilie Möri
Did we miss one of your favorites? We’d love to see a gallery of your favorite photos of 2017—share your links in the comments!
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