PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL

A year like no other: 2020 in pictures

Socially distanced nursery pupils play in screened boxes at the Wat Khlong Toey School in Bangkok, Thailand, in August
Socially distanced nursery pupils play in screened boxes at the Wat Khlong Toey School in Bangkok, Thailand, in August
LAUREN DECICCA/GETTY
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
After 52 days in intensive care, the Covid sufferer Francisco España, 60, enjoys ten precious minutes in the sunshine on Barcelona’s seafront as part of his recovery therapy. He is minded by staff from the local Hospital del Mar
After 52 days in intensive care, the Covid sufferer Francisco España, 60, enjoys ten precious minutes in the sunshine on Barcelona’s seafront as part of his recovery therapy. He is minded by staff from the local Hospital del Mar
EMILIO MORENATTI/AP
Visitors who flocked to Durdle Door in Dorset in May — despite social-distancing guidance — have to make room for air ambulances after three people are seriously injured jumping off a cliff into the sea
Visitors who flocked to Durdle Door in Dorset in May — despite social-distancing guidance — have to make room for air ambulances after three people are seriously injured jumping off a cliff into the sea
DORSET POLICE/PA
A pedestrian wheeling luggage hogs the middle lane across Westminster Bridge — eerily devoid of traffic in early April. Welcome to the new normal
A pedestrian wheeling luggage hogs the middle lane across Westminster Bridge — eerily devoid of traffic in early April. Welcome to the new normal
RICHARD POHLE/THE TIMES
Racing fans packed out the Cheltenham Festival on March 10 — 13 days before lockdown. The four-day festival went ahead despite calls to ban mass outdoor gatherings
Racing fans packed out the Cheltenham Festival on March 10 — 13 days before lockdown. The four-day festival went ahead despite calls to ban mass outdoor gatherings
TIM GOODE /PA
Workers in excavators race to build a 1,000-bed field hospital in Wuhan in January, as the scale of the Covid crisis becomes clear. It took ten days to construct from scratch
Workers in excavators race to build a 1,000-bed field hospital in Wuhan in January, as the scale of the Covid crisis becomes clear. It took ten days to construct from scratch
GETTY IMAGES
A drone’s view of social distancing circles at San Francisco’s Dolores Park in May. Similar efforts by other parks around the world aimed to restore a semblance of normality
A drone’s view of social distancing circles at San Francisco’s Dolores Park in May. Similar efforts by other parks around the world aimed to restore a semblance of normality
JUSTIN SULLIVAN
Snapshots of home-schooling disasters went viral during the first lockdown as frazzled parents shared their failed attempts
Snapshots of home-schooling disasters went viral during the first lockdown as frazzled parents shared their failed attempts
Mounted police on a Covid-19 awareness campaign during lockdown in Secunderabad, India, in April
Mounted police on a Covid-19 awareness campaign during lockdown in Secunderabad, India, in April
NOAH SEELAM/GETTY
The Roman Catholic priest Johannes Laichner spreads incense during Mass in Innsbruck, Austria, in April — his missing flock replaced by their photographs
The Roman Catholic priest Johannes Laichner spreads incense during Mass in Innsbruck, Austria, in April — his missing flock replaced by their photographs
JAN HETFLEISCH/GETTY IMAGES
As Italy’s hospitals overflowed with coronavirus patients, the cycle of life continued. Masked mum Serena Minischetti gives birth to her son, Edoardo, at Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital in Milan. Her partner, Massimo Paglierucci, holds his head in his hands
As Italy’s hospitals overflowed with coronavirus patients, the cycle of life continued. Masked mum Serena Minischetti gives birth to her son, Edoardo, at Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital in Milan. Her partner, Massimo Paglierucci, holds his head in his hands
ALESSANDRO GANDOLFI/PARALLELOZERO
“Pick on someone your own size . . .” This cinematic image of two mice having a punch-up at a Tube station won Sam Rowley the People’s Choice award in the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His shot was the result of a week spent stalking the platforms
“Pick on someone your own size . . .” This cinematic image of two mice having a punch-up at a Tube station won Sam Rowley the People’s Choice award in the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His shot was the result of a week spent stalking the platforms
SAM ROWLEY/PA
A herd of wild Kashmiri goats has the run of empty streets in Llandudno, north Wales, at the end of March. They had been forced from the hillside by harsh weather
A herd of wild Kashmiri goats has the run of empty streets in Llandudno, north Wales, at the end of March. They had been forced from the hillside by harsh weather
CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/GETTY IMAGES
He shoots, he scores . . . and you could hear a pin drop. Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nets the winning penalty against Liverpool in August. Covid restrictions forced the FA Community Shield to be contested behind closed doors
He shoots, he scores . . . and you could hear a pin drop. Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nets the winning penalty against Liverpool in August. Covid restrictions forced the FA Community Shield to be contested behind closed doors
ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS
While lockdown limited many of us to an hour’s exercise a day, in Newcastle-under-Lyme the triathlete Lloyd Bebbington found a novel way to stick to his training schedule
While lockdown limited many of us to an hour’s exercise a day, in Newcastle-under-Lyme the triathlete Lloyd Bebbington found a novel way to stick to his training schedule
CARL RECINE/REUTERS
A month after recovering from coronavirus, the prime minister Boris Johnson, enthusiastically joins the weekly Clap for Carers outside No 10 on May 28
A month after recovering from coronavirus, the prime minister Boris Johnson, enthusiastically joins the weekly Clap for Carers outside No 10 on May 28
HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS
Festive spirit is in short supply at an anti-lockdown march in London last month, as Father Christmas is arrested along with more than 150 other demonstrators
Festive spirit is in short supply at an anti-lockdown march in London last month, as Father Christmas is arrested along with more than 150 other demonstrators
PETER MACDIARMID/LNP
Decommissioned cruise ships with derelict swimming pools and crazy golf courses are dismantled at a shipyard in Izmir, Turkey, as the industry goes into freefall
Decommissioned cruise ships with derelict swimming pools and crazy golf courses are dismantled at a shipyard in Izmir, Turkey, as the industry goes into freefall
UMIT BEKTAS
The killing of George Floyd in May sparks outrage across America. In his home town of Houston, Texas, riders on horseback lead 60,000 people on a peaceful march
The killing of George Floyd in May sparks outrage across America. In his home town of Houston, Texas, riders on horseback lead 60,000 people on a peaceful march
ADREES LATIF/REUTERS
As the Black Lives Matter protests gather momentum in June, a statue of the merchant Edward Colston is pushed into Bristol harbour for his involvement in the slave trade
As the Black Lives Matter protests gather momentum in June, a statue of the merchant Edward Colston is pushed into Bristol harbour for his involvement in the slave trade
KEIR GRAVIL/REUTERS
Tensions flare as far-right factions assemble in London for a “defend our memorials” rally. Patrick Hutchinson is branded a hero for carrying an injured demonstrator out of the crowd to safety
Tensions flare as far-right factions assemble in London for a “defend our memorials” rally. Patrick Hutchinson is branded a hero for carrying an injured demonstrator out of the crowd to safety
DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS
Members of the England and West Indies cricket teams take a knee in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement before the third Test at Old Trafford in July
Members of the England and West Indies cricket teams take a knee in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement before the third Test at Old Trafford in July
DAN MULLAN/GETTY IMAGES
Mark and Patricia McCloskey point weapons at protesters marching past their home in St Louis, Missouri. The couple, both lawyers, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering at a hearing in October
Mark and Patricia McCloskey point weapons at protesters marching past their home in St Louis, Missouri. The couple, both lawyers, pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering at a hearing in October
LAURIE SKRIVAN/AP
During a third night of unrest in Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed, a protester passes a burning building while holding the US flag upside down, a sign of distress
During a third night of unrest in Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed, a protester passes a burning building while holding the US flag upside down, a sign of distress
JULIO CORTEZ/AP
Two women kiss under the former Belarusian flag as thousands take to the streets of Minsk in August to demand the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko
Two women kiss under the former Belarusian flag as thousands take to the streets of Minsk in August to demand the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko
NADIA BUZHAN/AP
Activists from the group Ocean Rebellion protest at shipping emissions by staging an “oil spill” on the steps of the Baltic Exchange in London last month
Activists from the group Ocean Rebellion protest at shipping emissions by staging an “oil spill” on the steps of the Baltic Exchange in London last month
HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS
President-elect Joe Biden basks in confetti after his victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 7. His wife, Jill, right, vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug, share the moment
President-elect Joe Biden basks in confetti after his victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 7. His wife, Jill, right, vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug, share the moment
JIM BOURG/REUTERS
After a rising storm of criticism and waning political support, Dominic Cummings, chief adviser to Boris Johnson, waits with a box of possessions after leaving No 10 on November 13
After a rising storm of criticism and waning political support, Dominic Cummings, chief adviser to Boris Johnson, waits with a box of possessions after leaving No 10 on November 13
BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Enter the dragon: streaks of lightning illuminate a vast plume of ash rising from the Taal volcano, south of Manila in the Philippines. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes when it began to erupt in January
Enter the dragon: streaks of lightning illuminate a vast plume of ash rising from the Taal volcano, south of Manila in the Philippines. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes when it began to erupt in January
DOMCAR C LAGTO/PACIFIC P/SIPA/SH
An explosion in Beirut kills at least 190 people and injures thousands more. The blast in August, thought to be one of the largest non-nuclear explosions, was caused by the accidental detonation of nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate
An explosion in Beirut kills at least 190 people and injures thousands more. The blast in August, thought to be one of the largest non-nuclear explosions, was caused by the accidental detonation of nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate
AFP/GETTY IMAGES
When a train burst through buffers at the end of a line in Rotterdam, it was saved from crashing 30ft to the ground by a giant sculpture, titled Saved by the Whale’s Tail. The incident last month turned out to be the ultimate fluke
When a train burst through buffers at the end of a line in Rotterdam, it was saved from crashing 30ft to the ground by a giant sculpture, titled Saved by the Whale’s Tail. The incident last month turned out to be the ultimate fluke
JOEY BREMER
An unexploded rocket allegedly fired by Armenian forces protrudes from the ground in the city of Mingachevir, Azerbaijan, as the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region escalates in October
An unexploded rocket allegedly fired by Armenian forces protrudes from the ground in the city of Mingachevir, Azerbaijan, as the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region escalates in October
REUTERS
Rescue workers find four-year-old Ayda Gezgin alive in the rubble of a building 91 hours after a tremor of magnitude 7.0 rocked the Turkish city of Izmir in October. The earthquake toppled 17 high-rise buildings and killed 116 people
Rescue workers find four-year-old Ayda Gezgin alive in the rubble of a building 91 hours after a tremor of magnitude 7.0 rocked the Turkish city of Izmir in October. The earthquake toppled 17 high-rise buildings and killed 116 people
AP
Storm Dennis, one of the strongest recorded in the UK, lashes Blackpool’s seafront in February. Hundreds of homes in England and Wales were flooded. Five people died
Storm Dennis, one of the strongest recorded in the UK, lashes Blackpool’s seafront in February. Hundreds of homes in England and Wales were flooded. Five people died
DAVE NELSON
A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in the town of Lake Conjola as Australia sees in the new year ravaged by its worst bushfires in decades.
A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in the town of Lake Conjola as Australia sees in the new year ravaged by its worst bushfires in decades.
MATTHEW ABBOTT/NEW YORK TIMES
The former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at Supreme Court in New York in January. Found guilty of rape and sexual assault, he was sentenced to 23 years
The former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at Supreme Court in New York in January. Found guilty of rape and sexual assault, he was sentenced to 23 years
BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the Endeavour Fund awards in London in March. It was their first official UK appearance since their shock decision to step back as senior working royals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the Endeavour Fund awards in London in March. It was their first official UK appearance since their shock decision to step back as senior working royals
SAMIR HUSSEIN/GETTY IMAGES
The US model Chrissy Teigen is comforted by her husband, the musician John Legend, as she cradles the baby they had lost moments earlier. Teigen shared news of her miscarriage on Instagram in October
The US model Chrissy Teigen is comforted by her husband, the musician John Legend, as she cradles the baby they had lost moments earlier. Teigen shared news of her miscarriage on Instagram in October
INSTAGRAM
After three days in hospital with coronavirus, President Trump dramatically removes his facemask at a White House event in October
After three days in hospital with coronavirus, President Trump dramatically removes his facemask at a White House event in October
WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, has a bad hair-dye day at a press conference in Washington
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, has a bad hair-dye day at a press conference in Washington
SHUTTERSTOCK
A 90-year-old grandmother becomes the first person in the world outside clinical trials to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Margaret Keenan is applauded by staff at University Hospital in Coventry as she returns to her ward after receiving the Pfizer-Biontech jab
A 90-year-old grandmother becomes the first person in the world outside clinical trials to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Margaret Keenan is applauded by staff at University Hospital in Coventry as she returns to her ward after receiving the Pfizer-Biontech jab
JACOB KING/GETTY IMAGES
As quarantine rules scotch plans for holidays abroad, Boris Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, stick to the brief and take an August staycation in the Scottish Highlands. The couple have their hands full with their four-month-old son, Wilfred, and rescue dog, Dilyn
As quarantine rules scotch plans for holidays abroad, Boris Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, stick to the brief and take an August staycation in the Scottish Highlands. The couple have their hands full with their four-month-old son, Wilfred, and rescue dog, Dilyn
INSTAGRAM
Moving at about five miles a second, the International Space Station looks like a tiny insect as it sails in front of the sun’s turbulent surface. The photographer Andrew McCarthy had less than a second to capture the image, using two telescopes fitted with cameras
Moving at about five miles a second, the International Space Station looks like a tiny insect as it sails in front of the sun’s turbulent surface. The photographer Andrew McCarthy had less than a second to capture the image, using two telescopes fitted with cameras
ANDREW MCCARTHY/SWNS
The Queen, 94, knights Captain Tom Moore, 100 at Windsor Castle in July. The former British Army officer raised £33 million for the NHS — and had a No 1 hit — during the first lockdown
The Queen, 94, knights Captain Tom Moore, 100 at Windsor Castle in July. The former British Army officer raised £33 million for the NHS — and had a No 1 hit — during the first lockdown
CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY