From iconic portraits of President Obama to the distinguished profile of Queen Elizabeth II and bold outlines of armed Syrian rebels to flag waving protesters, LightBox presents the year in silhouettes — a photo per day in 2012.
A great portrait captures the very essence of its subject, and this year, TIME continued its long legacy of storytelling with a number of compelling photographs of newsmakers, from politicians and businessmen to comedians and Oscar winners.
Blind distance runner Henry Wanyoike has overcome his disability to become a Paralympic hero.
From the earthquake in Iran and the killing of miners on strike by police in South Africa to the end of Ramadan and a meteor shower over Macedonia, TIME presents the best images of the week.
From the battle for Aleppo and prayers in Hiroshima to the second week of the London 2012 Olympics and sheep fighting in China, TIME presents the best pictures of the week.
From protests in Yemen and a religious festival in Nicaragua to continued fighting in Syria and the summer Olympic games in London, TIME’s photo department presents the best pictures of the week.
China has developed some of the toughest women weightlifters in the world. TIME contract photographer James Nachtwey documented China’s team as they prepared for the 2012 Olympic games in London.
From drought-cracked earth in Yemen and massive floods in China to violent protests in California and Olympic preparation in London, TIME’s photo department presents the best images of the week.
Although she is one of the youngest athletes set to compete in this summer’s Olympic games, 15-year-old Carolina Mendoza displays a maturity beyond her years through her training. TIME commissioned photographer Tomas Munita to photograph Mendoza as she prepared for London.
The dusty Russian town of Khasav-Yurt, which the locals like to call the Wrestlers’ Mecca, boasts the greatest concentration of wrestling champions in the world. Photographer Yuri Kozyrev documented the young athletes at their school in the North Caucasus.
