These are our 19 most popular Instagram photos of 2018

5 years ago

Most weeks on our Instagram feed, we feature great images from an individual photographer, and we also do a selection of images from the Open Competition of the Sony World Photography Awards.

With the year coming to a close, we take a look back at the 19 most popular photos of the year. As you can see, the genres and styles vary greatly, from sweeping landscapes to travel photography.

A huge thanks to all the photographers who shared their images with our audience. Good luck in the New Year!

1. Daniel Biber

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See this incredible shot of a starling murmuration by Daniel Biber in person @somersethouse before 6th May! LINK TO TICKETS IN BIO OR AT WORLDPHOTO.ORG/TICKETS. © Daniel Biber, Germany, Shortlist, Professional, Natural World & Wildlife , 2018 Sony World Photography Awards #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetitions #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof #London

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Apr 26, 2018 at 12:44am PDT

2. @rkrkrk

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Dense palette by @rkrkrk #picoftheday #photooftheday #beautifuldestinations #theweekoninstagram #globe_visuals #discoverer #beautifulmatters #wonderful_places

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Oct 23, 2018 at 11:04pm PDT

3. Witold Ziomek

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Just 24 hours left to enter your best single images into the 2018 @Sony World Photography Awards! Link in bio... ————————————————————————————— Photo: "Skogafoss, Iceland." We continue featuring a selection of the best new entries from the Open competition of the 2018 @Sony World Photography Awards. You can enter for free today (Link in bio). Hurry, entries close January 4th, 2018 (13:00 GMT). Image © Witold Ziomek, Poland, Entry, Open, Landscape & Nature #SWPA #PhotoCompetition #Photocomp #Photocontest #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Jan 3, 2018 at 1:31am PST

4. Hlaing Myint Min

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© Hlaing Myint Min, Myanmar, entry, Open competition, Travel, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. This weekend we're featuring some of the best entries so far from the Open competition of the 2019 @Sony World Photography Awards. Submission is free for everyone and the competition closes January 4, 2019 - 1300 GMT. Enter today: worldphoto.org/swpa + link in bio. #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoCompetition #PhotographyCompetition

Una publicación compartida de World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) el 30 Nov, 2018 a las 4:04 PST

5. @josephlulu

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Crane dance by @josephlulu #guilin #china #picoftheday #photooftheday #beautifuldestinations #theweekoninstagram #globe_visuals #discoverer #beautifulmatters #wonderful_places

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Nov 5, 2018 at 10:58pm PST

6. Sylvia Michel

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"I am travelling a lot and my dog Rasta is always with me. He don't care about cold or hot weater, or if he has to be in a Iglu or anywhere else." © Sylvia Michel, Switzerland, Entry, Open competition, Travel, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards - All this week we're featuring some of the best entries so far from the Open competition of the 2019 @Sony World Photography Awards. Submission is free for everyone and the competition closes January 4, 2019 - 1300 GMT. Enter today: worldphoto.org/swpa + link in bo. #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoCompetition #PhotographyCompetition

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Sep 10, 2018 at 4:52am PDT

7. @rkrkrk

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It’s raining in the city, people are rushing, the crossroad is bright and shining by @rkrkrk #picoftheday #photooftheday #beautifuldestinations #theweekoninstagram #globe_visuals #discoverer #wonderful_places #crossing #crossroad #tokyo #shibuya

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Oct 28, 2018 at 12:59am PDT

8. Nguyen Phuc Thanh

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© Nguyen Phuc Thanh, Vietnam, entry, Open competition, Landscape, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. This weekend we're featuring some of the best entries so far from the Open competition of the 2019 @Sony World Photography Awards. Submission is free for everyone and the competition closes January 4, 2019 - 1300 GMT. Enter today: worldphoto.org/swpa + link in bio. #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoCompetition #PhotographyCompetition

Una publicación compartida de World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) el 24 Nov, 2018 a las 12:20 PST

9. @itchban 

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Hyams Beach, Australia, by @itchban - "Hyams beach has the whitest sands in the world. Hidden in a small cove from the sea, the waves lap in a cool consistent pattern." Benjamin Lee is a freelance Photographer, Filmmaker & Blogger based in Sydney, Australia. He is readily available for projects & travel worldwide. #photooftheday #Nature #Outdoors #beauty #light #aerialphotography #fromtheair #aerial #HyamsBeach #Australia

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Feb 6, 2018 at 3:19am PST

10. Varun Thota

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From the series 'We live in a symmetrical world ' by Varun Thota. "Our world from above is beautifully symmetrical, whether it be the highways we drive on, the neighbourhoods we live in, the high rises we build or the parks we play in. Shot with a drone through my latest travels to Guangzhou, London, Macau and Hong Kong, aerial photography has taken photography to new heights, allowing me to see the world through a whole new perspective." - Varun Thota Image © Varun Thota, India, Shortlist, Professional, Landscape, 2018 Sony World Photography Awards #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetition #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Mar 13, 2018 at 7:31am PDT

11. Pang Xiao Zhong

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"The desert camels, set in the sunset, are photographed in Xinjiang, China." © Pang Xiao Zhong, China, entry, Open, Landscape, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards - All this week we're featuring some of the best entries so far from the Open competition of the 2019 @Sony World Photography Awards. Submission is free for everyone and the competition closes January 4, 2019 - 1300 GMT. Enter today: worldphoto.org/swpa + link in bo. #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoCompetition #PhotographyCompetition

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Oct 3, 2018 at 4:01am PDT

12. @itchban

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Bronte Beach, Australia, by @itchban - "One of many rock pools which can be found all along Sydney’s coasts. Bronte beach rock pool is definitely one of my favourites." Benjamin Lee is a freelance Photographer, Filmmaker & Blogger based in Sydney, Australia. He is readily available for projects & travel worldwide. #photooftheday #Nature #Outdoors #beauty #light #aerialphotography #fromtheair #aerial #BronteBeach #Australia

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Feb 8, 2018 at 12:47am PST

13. Yajun Hu

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Get down to @somersethouse before 6th May to see the 2018 @Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition! LINK TO TICKETS IN BIO OR AT WORLDPHOTO.ORG/TICKETS. © Yajun Hu, China, Commended, Open competition, Travel , 2018 Sony World Photography Awards. #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetitions #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof #London

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Apr 28, 2018 at 2:26am PDT

14. Laura Bell

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Lake Wanaka, by @lauraalycebell - Laura Bell is a lifestyle photographer based in Melbourne, Australia available for both domestic and international projects. Laura's work ranges from tourism, commercial, fashion and weddings. #photo #photos #beautiful #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #NewZealand #NZ #LakeWanaka #Wanaka #Lake #Lonely #Tree

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Jan 22, 2018 at 8:04am PST

15. @itchban

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Japan, by @itchban - "This triple mountain highway interchange is a true work of art and engineering." Benjamin Lee is a freelance Photographer, Filmmaker & Blogger based in Sydney, Australia. He is readily available for projects & travel worldwide. #photooftheday #Nature #Outdoors #beauty #light #aerialphotography #fromtheair #aerial #Japan

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Feb 1, 2018 at 7:05am PST

16. Wiebke Haas

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"When people ask me why I’m photographing horses I usually respond: "Because I adore their beauty and magnificent grace!" But there is another reason as well. Horses can be hilarious and darn funny! It’s my greatest passion to tease out nearly human expressions of my horse models." - Wiebke Haas - © Wiebke Haas, Germany, Shortlist, Professional, Natural World & Wildlife, 2018 Sony World Photography Awards #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetition #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Mar 6, 2018 at 5:58am PST

17. Isabelle Bacher

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We've announced the winners of the Open and National Awards of the 2018 @Sony World Photography Awards. Selected from a record-breaking number of entries, the winners cover a stunning variety of themes and genres. All the winning images will go on display at the 2018 Exhibition at @SomersetHouse, London, from 20th April - 6th May (tickets available via the link in bio) Image © Isabelle Bacher, Austria, Winner, Austria National Award, 2018 Sony World Photography Awards #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetitions #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Mar 22, 2018 at 3:12am PDT

18. @rkrkrk

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TETRIS ® LIFE by @rkrkrk #picoftheday #photooftheday #theweekoninstagram

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Oct 24, 2018 at 11:02pm PDT

19. Anton Novozhilov

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Get down to @somersethouse before 6th May to see the greatest collection of contemporary photography! LINK TO TICKETS IN BIO OR AT WORLDPHOTO.ORG/TICKETS. Image © Anton Novozhilov, Estonia, Commended, Open Enhanced and Winner, Estonia National Award, 2018 Sony World Photography Awards #SWPA #SonyWorldPhotographyAwards #PhotoComp #PhotographyCompetitions #Shortlist #Winners #Bestof #London

A post shared by World Photography Organisation (@worldphotoorg) on Apr 25, 2018 at 12:25am PDT

These are our 19 most popular Instagram photos of 2018

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