Courtesy of National Geographic.com | Editors Lynn Johnson and Elizabeth Krist | Originally Published 04.21.2018 | Posted 03.25.2018
United States of America
Pieces of lives in my archives. I met Marjorie during the summer of 2013 for an article about hospital at home. She was 33 and only several months to live.
At the start of the assignment, we saw a huge number of literal, predictable visuals, but as many of you began digging deeper, we encountered more thoughtful, experimental approaches and more adventurous results. With time we were also seeing a higher proportion of technically refined images, which by displaying more attention to composition and light, attained a certain elegance of the frame.
We admired those of you who returned to situations to rework them, trying out different techniques. A determination to investigate more honestly separated serious photographers from those who seemed content to stay on the surface. We also realized that people were going back into their existing work, using this assignment as a catalyst to re-edit. While that can be valuable, this kind of recycling doesn’t allow for growth in your shooting.
Serbia
Editor’s Note An elegant image of crossing from life to a place for the dead. Everything works well—atmosphere, light, design, simplicity and the delicate message of names on the column.
Finland
Editor’s Note This photographer used imagination and deeply personal belief to create this image. That is it’s power, combined with a unifying warm tone that allows us to drift off into the night as well.
United States of America
Editor’s Note The reflected chair speaks of a long-mourned wife in this Cuban home. The atmospheric light adds to the haunted feel.
United States of America
Innocent child dreaming.People believe that our souls go somewhere, while sleeping, and return after waking up.They have a journey, beyond, among our memories, desires or dreams, where the unpossible happens-we could meet and hug our beloved ones, we lost.A mystery that will never be revealed!This shot of my niece behind the dead fan coral (we found on the beach), taken a few years ago, when she was a very little girl, is a symbol: behind the Death-is a new Beginning,here or beyond,but..Beginning!
It is very difficult to put realities together without losing the power and purity of both layers. This photographer succeeded. The delicate nature of the coral and child’s expression were key.
Norway Regeneration
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
'Maybe there is a creator that mends together our mechanical features,and then there is a… more…
Editor’s Note This image is pure emotion. We can feel her sadness. Even the out of focus quality and deep shadows add to the sentiment.
United States of America
In New York City, perseverance, tenacity and determination prevail. Human spirit always overcomes… more…
Editor’s Note While the luminescent high walls draw us forward, following the silhouetted visitors toward the city ahead, the arc of reflected light acts as an upward arrow creating its own sense of urgency and …More
United States of America
This image was captured during the full moon in Tiniteqilaag, Greenland. The cemetery is very old… more…
Editor’s Note Light, light, light—that is the language of photography. Many people photographed cemeteries for this assignment but the light set this one apart.
Costa Rica
daughter hugging her father while visiting the grave of his mother in her day more…
Editor’s Note This photographer did a beautiful job of transmitting a real and emotional moment without allowing ego, lens choice or other distractions to get in the way. Beautiful.
Slovenia
surrounded by people I love. And I am glad for every minute I spend with my family. No matter wha… more…
Editor’s Note The mystery of death is difficult to communicate but this alludes to that in the way it was framed with bits and pieces of reality and emotion layered together.
France
With our hunter cat we have no mouse in the house. But when my daughter discovered the last offer… more…
Editor’s Note The loving attention to the humblest of creatures is emphasized by the selective focus that steers our attention to the mouse and the offerings in the coffin, by the angle that hides the girl’s fac… More
Iran
last story swim of my dead goldfish in my hand ………. No one wants to die. Even people who w… more…
Editor’s Note A witty yet touching way of coping with the death of a pet. In its way, as imaginative and comforting as a children’s fable.
Dying & Death Talk 