Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction: 50 Of The Most Unreal Photographs (New Pics)

No matter how much time you spend on the internet, truly creative photos will likely still make you stop and stare. Some images are so powerful, creative, and surreal that it’s hard not to do a double-take. They stand out among the flood of other content out there.

We want to give you a fresh perspective on the world, so here at Bored Panda, we have curated this list of some of the most phenomenal, mind-blowing photos from all over the web. These are a real treat for the eyes and soul. Scroll down for proof that, often, reality is far stranger than fiction will ever be.

View from horseback over a vibrant wildflower field with mountains and dramatic clouds in an unreal photograph.

Unreal photographs showing a dramatic sky with mammatus clouds over a curved road and illuminated countryside at dusk.

Cat with heterochromia and fluffy ears resting indoors, showcasing one blue and one yellow eye in unreal photograph.

Asking for feedback for your photos is one of the most gruelling, heart-stopping things you can do as a creative. Being criticized is hardly ever fun. However, the more feedback you get, the easier it is to hear. And if you’re open-minded enough, this can be a great way to level up your work and shore up any weaknesses in your art. But it means knowing how to separate the wheat (constructive, useful criticism) from the chaff (negative opinions, biased comments, and venting that have no substance).

No matter how amazing you are at photography, you will never, ever be able to make everyone happy. There will always be someone who doesn’t like what you do or thinks it’s ‘meh,’ ‘mid,’ or ‘blah.’ But you don’t need the entire world to love you. What you probably want is to enjoy what you do, earn a decent living, and have a semi-sizeable, loyal, engaged following of awesome people. With that in mind, it’s not worth trying to appeal to absolutely everyone.

Hummingbird nest with eggs built on top of a peach, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs in nature.

Airplane silhouetted against a glowing red circular object in the sky, showcasing an unreal photograph with striking contrast.

Human hand resting on the enormous paw of a large wild animal in one of the most unreal photographs.

According to Fstoppers, social media can be quite a harsh environment for creatives. “It’s mostly those with negative observations who speak up, and people, in general, do not give affirmations nearly as much.” So, it’s best not to take the negativity to heart (even though human beings are literally hard-wired to do the opposite).

“One person’s reaction to criticism (at least the true constructive kind) will reflect how they see their work themselves, and how they see themselves as artists altogether. As artists, it is crucial to get used to criticism,” Fstoppers points out that developing resilience to feedback is vital.

Close-up of a bird's eye and feathers in an unreal photograph showcasing intricate natural details and texture.

Ancient rock carvings of giraffes in desert landscape with person sitting nearby, showcasing unreal photographs of art.

Unreal photographs showing frozen methane bubbles beneath clear ice with a mountain landscape in the background.

Broadly speaking, when trying to understand where the criticism is coming from, first consider whether there’s actually any substance to the person’s remarks. For instance, are they talking about your art or just you as a person, are they expressing their opinions or being rude and insulting, etc.

Some negative comments come down not to mistakes on your part, but rather a gap between your photography style and that person’s taste. Others, however, might point to errors on your part, which you can fix in the future.

Surreal desert scene with futuristic vehicle, glowing portal, and shadowy figures in an unreal photograph setting.

I used bed sheets with flour on it to show a deserted ancient landscape, home decor, my ring lights as props.

Phen0-Men0n Report

Unreal photograph of a rare rainbow cloud formation above suburban houses under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

If you’re the creative type (and if you’re reading this, the odds are that you are), then you’ve probably considered becoming a professional photographer at some point in time. Maybe you started out by taking some amateur photos, or you signed up for a course or two. Or maybe you’ve even managed to turn your hobby into a full-fledged career.

In this day and age, with so much content flooding the internet and social media, standing out is a major challenge. So, your work, voice, and style have to be unique and high-quality enough not to get lost among the noise. Developing that uniqueness is easier said than done, however.

Red berries covered in ice, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs with a striking frozen effect.

Unreal photograph of numerous tiny wind turbines scattered across a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Unreal photograph of colorful striped rock formations under a bright blue sky with white clouds in a desert landscape.

If you want to test your limits, raise the bar, and think outside the box, you can challenge yourself to photograph things in ways you never have before.

For example, you could decide to spend a day focusing on a completely different style of photography than you’re used to.

Switch things up a little. If you mainly do portraits, do some nature or animal photography, and vice versa.

Unreal photograph of a brightly glowing, multi-colored moon partially obscured by dark clouds in night sky.

Clear telescope image of Saturn with its rings against a dark sky, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs.

Glowing bioluminescent lights inside a dark cave creating an unreal photograph of natural wonder.

Another way to challenge yourself is to drastically change your environment. If you mostly spend your days in an urban environment, you could visit wilder, more rural areas.

Try taking photos during times of day and in weather when you usually wouldn’t.

Intentionally put yourself in situations where you have to adapt to new conditions and learn new things. Hopefully, this should help you grow as a professional.

Indoor room with plant and window reflected on ceiling creating unreal photograph effect in low light.

Night view of an unreal photograph showing a glowing lava flow over a dark mountain above a lit cityscape with a domed building.

Close-up of a unique sunflower with dark red and yellow petals attracting two green bees in an unreal photograph.

Meanwhile, if you have access to a wide(r) range of photography gear, you could experiment with different cameras (both digital and analog), lenses, lights, tripods, phones, etc. Try out new angles and subject matter to really get your creative juices flowing. Try out film or black-and-white photography to see what clicks and what doesn’t.

A huge part of your growth as an artist comes down to your willingness to consistently take (small) risks. It requires enough humility that you’re willing to try and fail, while also having enough self-confidence that you find pride and passion in what you do. As a professional, you have to look for ways to balance your unique style with what the public relates to. You have to make a living somehow, after all.

Field covered in snow with unusual rounded shapes creating an unreal photograph showcasing nature's strange formations.

Close-up of a wooden log with a pinecone growing inside, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs of nature.

Unreal photographs of tiny mushrooms growing on moss-covered log in a colorful, blurred forest background.

If all you ever do is take photos that you personally enjoy, but shut yourself away from any and all feedback, you run the risk of alienating your (potential) audience. On the other side of the scale, if all you ever do is try to chase trends and pander to your audience for the sake of popularity, your work might end up being generic, bland, and soulless.

The sweet spot is in the middle, where you embrace and respect your audience while also clearly knowing who you are as a photographer and what values you stand for.

Leaves changing colors in multiple shades of green, yellow, and pink in a striking unreal photograph.

Two miners wearing helmets hold rocks with natural heart-shaped crystals, showcasing a stunning example of unreal photographs.

Unreal photograph of a strange bird-like creature with large eyes, showcasing one of the most surreal images in reality.

At the end of the day, keeping the lights on and putting food on the table is a priority for any worker. So, your photography has to have at least some commercial value. However, getting paid for your hard work and creativity as an artist isn’t ‘selling out.’ It’s being valued for your labor.

Though, the line where you should maybe rethink your approach to art is if you’re now only doing it for the money and chasing fame, not because you find photography purposeful, meaningful, and a way for you to relate to the world. If you love the idea of being a famous photographer more than you enjoy photography itself, maybe it’s time to slow down.

Focus on having a tad more fun, not just on the business, marketing, and networking side of things.

Ancient twisted tree with gnarled branches in a mountainous landscape during golden hour, an unreal photograph nature scene.

Large tree trunk burning from inside with glowing orange flames visible through hollow sections in an unreal photograph.

Close-up of an unreal photograph showing a highly detailed red organic structure with tubular formations and a glowing background.

We’re curious to hear what you think, dear Pandas. Which of the photos that we’re featuring in this list here caught your eye the most?

Which pics were so entrancing that you found it hard to look away? How much do you dabble in photography, and what inspires you?

Let us know in the comments! And if you haven’t done so already, upvote the photos that you liked the most.

Swamp forest with tall trees and orange leaves covering the ground, showcasing unreal photographs of nature’s strange beauty.

Hand holding a transparent leaf skeleton outdoors, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs of nature’s detail.

Close-up photo of an unreal photograph showing deep red kernels on a corn cob with glossy texture and intricate details.

Woman lying next to an enormous whale skull outdoors, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs in reality.

Unreal photograph of a beach with a palm tree bending horizontally over rocks and clear blue water.

Geyser erupting with water and steam shooting into the sky under a cloudy landscape in an unreal photograph.

Unreal photographs of famous art displays and visitors in museum galleries with wooden floors and high ceilings.

Close-up of an unreal photograph showing a distorted yellow and white flower among green leaves in natural light.

Vast starfield with dark nebulae and glowing stars showcasing some of the most unreal photographs in reality.

Unreal photograph showing frozen snow slabs extending horizontally from tree trunks in a winter forest scene.

Misty outdoor scenes showing trees and a picnic table covered in unreal spider webs creating an eerie landscape.

Sculpture of an enormous realistic hand carved from a tree trunk, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs in nature.

Cassowary bird with bright blue and red head near four bright green eggs in a natural setting, an unreal photograph.

A rare two-tone tarantula spider resting on a black gloved hand, showcasing its unreal appearance in a close-up photo.

Aerial view of vast farmland with patchwork fields covered in snow, showcasing unreal photographs of nature.

Close-up of a hand holding a layered wood piece with unique patterns, showcasing unreal photographs reality.

Giant jellyfish with translucent tentacles washed up on sandy shore, showing unreal photographs of strange natural phenomena.

Close-up of an unreal photograph showing a moth with skull-like patterns on its wings resting on a textured surface.

Unreal photograph of unusual wooden spikes growing inward inside a hollow tree trunk with green moss texture.

Dense evergreen forest under blue sky with clouds, showcasing one of the most unreal photographs in nature.

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