The Most Powerful Photographs 2012 had to offer.

If a picture contains 1000 words – and that’s the everyday happy snaps we take on our smart phones – then these pictures must be worth a whole dictionary.

These are some of the most powerful photographs of 2012. Some of them are harrowing, some are beautiful, and some are funny – but all are guaranteed to make you look twice.

A boy cries with his baby sister after a confrontation between squatters and police in Nepal. Photograph by Stringer.

The control room of the Curiosity Space Rover, after successfully landing on Mars. Photograph by Brian van der Brug.

Two women kiss in front of an anti gay marriage protest.

Members of the fash pack pose in front of a homeless man during New York Fashion Week. Photo by Lucas Jackson.

Nik Wallenda crossed from the US into Canada, across Niagara Falls. Photo by Frank Gunn.

Scott Van Duzen bear hugs President Obama right off the ground.

A woman reacts to the news of a mass shooting in the town of Newtown, Connecticut.

Usain Bolt strikes a victory pose.

Beyonce releases the first photo of her baby, Blue Ivy.

A parking lot full of cabs is flooded n the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Photograph by Charles Skyes.

A firefighter is lowered from a helicopter onto the sinking Costa Concordia. Photograph by Pier Paolo Cito.

Obama mimics US Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's expression, and breaks the internet. Photograph by Pete Souza.

Barack Obama tweeted this image after his presidential win. It has since becomes the most retweeted image ever.

A Greenpeace activist, dressed as a polar bear, sits in the back of a police car after protesting oil drilling in the Arctic. Photograph Misha Japaridze.

Japanese gymnast Yusuke Tanaka on the rings during the London Olympics. Photograph by Julie Jacobson.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Casino Pier and Jet Star roller-coaster is submerged under water. Photograph by Stephen Wilkes.

A memorial for the victims of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Photograph by Ed Andrieski.

After Hurricane Sandy, a statue of the Virgin Mary is all that remains of one household. Photograph by Spencer Platt.

A man watches flood waters from his window in the Netherlands. Photograph by Robin Utrecht.

Felix Baumgartner prepares for his 24-mile free-fall from space. Photograph by Jay Nemeth.

Kate Middleton is released from hospital after suffering from an acute form of morning sickness.

A man kicks riot police back, in a riot in Greece. Photograph by Aris Messinis.

Manhattan without lights after Hurricane Sandy. Photographs by Edwardo Munoz.

One of the clearest photographs of Mars ever taken, after the Curiosity Spave Rover lands on the planet. Photograph from NASA.

President Obama and the First Lady on her birthday, in the White House basement. Photograph by Christopher Morris for TIME.

Unidentified people beat Svyatoslav Sheremet, head of Gay-Forum of Ukraine, in May. Photograph by Anatolii Stepanov.

A Tibetan man sets himself on fire during a visit from Chinese president Hu Jintao.

The largest raft of canoes and kayaks in the world. Photograph by Nancie Battaglia for National Geographic.

Julia Gillard gives THAT speech during question time.

Thousands of people flock to London for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

A couple get married in the Philippines during floods.

Sally Pearson wins the 100m hudles in London.

Accused Arora shooter James Holmes appears in court.

A seahorse gets a closer look at a diver's watch. Photograph by Don McLeish.

A swarm of stingrays. Photograph by Florian Schultz.

Tags: gallery , media , politics

The Most Powerful Photographs of 2012.

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