Photo Essays

New visions of the world we thought we knew.

Spontaneous Smiley Project

posted Dec 11, 2009

Ruth Kaiser, founder of the Spontaneous Smiley Project, sees smiles in everyday life. Here, she shares a few of her favorite spontaneous photographs.

Cool Globes in Copenhagen

posted Dec 09, 2009

"Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet" is a public art exhibit featuring over 25 large globes, each with a different message about climate change.

N30 Global Day of Action on Climate Crisis

posted Dec 07, 2009

On November 30, the 10th anniversary of the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle, activists call for urgent action on the global climate crisis.

Climate Direct Action Camp

posted Nov 16, 2009

In June 2008, activists gathered in Montana for the Climate Ground Zero Citizens Direct Action Training Camp, where they learned skills including the history and practice of nonviolent direct action, campaign strategy, and community organizing.

Costa Rica

posted Nov 11, 2009

Susan Hardman photographs Costa Rica, which topped the 2009 Happy Planet Index. The Index takes into consideration factors such as a country's ecological footprint and life expectancies.

Bamboo Bikes

posted Oct 06, 2009

The Bamboo Bike Studio in Brooklyn, New York, teaches students to build their own bamboo bicycles in one weekend. Workshop proceeds help finance bamboo bike factories in Ghana, Kenya, and Ecuador.

Let's Think Peace

posted Sep 21, 2009

Huong, an artist, peace activist, and former refugee who fled her native Vietnam in 1975, has painted her visions of war and peace for more than three decades.

The Human Powered Home :: Photo Essay

posted May 06, 2009

This photo-essay features images from Tamara Dean's book The Human-Powered Home: Choosing Muscles Over Motors. The book is a one-of-a-kind compendium of human-powered devices gathered from a unique collection of experts.

New Crop of Farmers

posted Feb 13, 2009

Today’s young farmers are protecting the land and seeds, reclaiming farming traditions, and sharing abundance with family and community. Meet some of these young farmers in our photo essay.

Art and Upheaval :: Photos from the Book

posted Feb 13, 2009

This photo-essay features images from William Cleveland's book Art and Upheaval. The book tells remarkable stories about artists who resolve conflict, heal unspeakable trauma, give voice to the forgotten and disappeared, and restitch the cultural fabric of their communities.

Week of Nonviolence in Iraq :: Photo Essay

posted Dec 02, 2008

Photos and stories from Iraq's third annual Week of Nonviolence, organized by La’Onf. More than 100 citizen groups in all 18 Iraqi provinces participated in the event.

Bhutan :: Land of the Thunder Dragon :: Photo Essay

by JenFu Cheng

posted Nov 07, 2008

“I do believe that I have left a part of my heart in this mountain land. And, in return, the people of Bhutan continue to lift my soul each day.” says photographer JenFu Cheng about his journey to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

WTO Photo Quiz

by Kevin Sharp

posted Jul 30, 2008

Photographer Kevin Sharp paired his photos of the 1999 event with stills from the new film. You might be surprised by what's real and what's not

Equality Ride :: Photos from the 2007 Tour

by Adam Britt, Amanda Harris

posted Jul 29, 2008

Photos from the 2007 Equality Ride, bringing 50 riders to conservative campuses to show the humanity and spirituality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Life in Iran with Rick Steves

by Abdi Sami

posted Jul 11, 2008

In March of 2008 Rick Steves travelled to Iran to produce a travel documentary on the country and its people. Rick's intention was to put a human face on the people behind the headlines about Iran. Here are photos and stories from the team's ten days of traveling.