Photography has the ability to change the world -- and our perception of it.
At times it can feel like the only thing being documented these days is negative news. But photos that capture small moments of compassion have the power to show humankind at its best -- and these are the images we at HuffPost Good News think we all need to be exposed to more.
To help spread more of this type of imagery, we collaborated with the photographer community at EyeEm, seeking photos that left them feeling hopeful about their fellow humans.
The photo submissions below show a breezy moment among workers in Myanmar, a mother and daughter sharing a hearty laugh after a long separation, a passionate wedding performer giving it his all and much more.
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Check out the powerful photos below that allow us to see the world through a human lens.
Check out the photos below:
call_me_Dave/EyeEm
From the photographer: “I was so impressed when I saw these ladies in a very small and poor village near Pindaya, Myanmar. They were working very hard on a construction plot next to a Buddhist temple, where I spent a night on a hike. As an occasional traveler, I would say that their happy faces makes me feel that laughter binds all men together. When we are far from our home, among people who speak another language, and we feel like strangers, laughter makes us feel that we belong to the same humanity.”
-- Photo by call_me_Dave/EyeEm
-- Photo by call_me_Dave/EyeEm
larsbaek/EyeEm
From the photographer: "Separated by space and sometimes time, my girlfriend and her mom still have a bond and a closeness that is always there. I was lucky to capture the manifestation of this on camera on a hill near Elverum, Norway, where we enjoyed the view and the super fresh air. This picture is comforting to me, as my family and I also live on different continents. It always makes me smile and feel better about the world."
-- Photo by larsbaek/EyeEm
-- Photo by larsbaek/EyeEm
NathanGoldenzweig/EyeEm
From the photographer: “In the light of current scandals in worldwide football and the refugee crisis, I was pleased to hear that my hometown's football club, Fortuna Düsseldorf, invited some kids who recently migrated from war-torn countries and countries with poor living conditions to participate in their practice. I am currently working on a series about positive issues with regard to migrants. The sudden influx of several hundred thousand refugees has politically polarized Germany. I want to change that through photography, knowing that every smile on a child's face might encourage people to continue helping and to shake off their fear against strangers, and thereby contribute to restoring their faith in humanity."
-- Photo by NathanGoldenzweig/EyeEm
-- Photo by NathanGoldenzweig/EyeEm
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FroiRivera/EyeEm
From the photographer: “Humans are not the only living creatures who need to be loved and cared for. Our planet is home, not only for humans, but for all the living things around us. Humanity does not only concentrate on humans alone, but it also means loving our living neighbors and our environment.”
-- Photo by FroiRivera/EyeEm
-- Photo by FroiRivera/EyeEm
aiye/EyeEm.
From the photographer: “At their favorite band's live performance, the boy asked the girl, ‘Will you marry me?’ The girl jumped into his arms, and said ‘Yes!’ They are dressed in uniform, just like soldiers who fight for love.”
-- Photo by aiye/EyeEm
-- Photo by aiye/EyeEm
zorrolang/EyeEm.
From the photographer: "In our world, most people think our faith should come from great [things] but I think sometimes faith is restored in some simple and pure things, like children. We should learn to be pure and simple from children -- to love each other, help each other, laugh simply."
-- Photo by zorrolang/EyeEm
-- Photo by zorrolang/EyeEm
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DannielC/EyeEm.
From the photographer: “I took this photo in a demonstration that took place in Brussels on Sept. 27. The demonstration was to give a warm welcome to all the refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries that are in Brussels to escape from war or from the dangers of these countries. During the demonstration I could see how some of the people from Belgium -- although they have their own problems -- showed their unconditional support to the refugees. It inspired me, and I realized that beyond the borders, there are only people who want to live in peace, and there are a lot of people ready to help them.”
-- Photo by DannielC/EyeEm
-- Photo by DannielC/EyeEm
Photo by adipatel/EyeEm
From the photographer: "I think this photo restored my faith in humanity because it's a place where there is a lack of electricity, lack of technology, but it's being enjoyed by the kids in this photo. If I have to see any day like this I won't be depressed because I have seen these kids happy in those conditions."
-- Photo by adipatel/EyeEm
-- Photo by adipatel/EyeEm
katzz94/EyeEm.
From the photographer: “The moment of happiness is one of the best things -- you realize how happy your life is, and sometimes you need to scream it out loud to be heard by others.”
-- Photo by katzz94/EyeEm
-- Photo by katzz94/EyeEm
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helencarosi/EyeEm.
From the photographer: “I started documenting people's everyday life, trying to grasp the authentic essence of humans and humanity through images. For me, photography is a means of expression, a vehicle for messages that often cannot be verbally pronounced. This photo was taken in Calabria, Italy.”
-- Photo by helencarosi/EyeEm
-- Photo by helencarosi/EyeEm
Photo by WillemDouven/EyeEm.
From the photographer: "This shot was taken at an initiation baseball [game] given by volunteers on a Wednesday afternoon in Antwerp, Belgium. Giving up free time for child welfare and seeing kids having a good time doing sports and not watching screens as so often happens today, restores my faith in humanity despite all the misery in this world happening these days."
-- Photo by WillemDouven/EyeEm
-- Photo by WillemDouven/EyeEm
dantes1401/EyeEm
From the photographer: "The photo was taken during a wedding, but the singer's attitude caught my whole attention. He was so happy like it was his wedding! Happiness and love is what will save us from becoming ignorant. The fact that people like this guy here exist, gives us hope that humanity is not lost!"
--Photo by dantes1401/EyeEm
--Photo by dantes1401/EyeEm
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Jeffeico0607/EyeEm
From the photographer: “I am an amateur photographer who loves people, each with their singularities and dreams. What restores my faith in humanity is the fact that each person has an incredible power to perform and do good. And no one was born to be lonely and empty.”
-- Photo by Jeffeico0607/EyeEm
-- Photo by Jeffeico0607/EyeEm
ClaudiaGiumilost/EyeEm
From the photographer: "As long as people wake up with a smile, that will save their soul."
Photo by ClaudiaGiumilost/EyeEm
Photo by ClaudiaGiumilost/EyeEm
The photographers' responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Also on HuffPost:
Stunning Images From Around The World
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