Goats and Soda: Women, Soup & Solo Bears

The Power of the Still Image: Goats and Soda’s Top Photo Stories of 2025

in a world saturated with video, the enduring power of the still photograph remains undeniable. It’s a medium that not onyl captures a fleeting moment in time but also invites viewers to contemplate the broader narrative and appreciate subtle details often missed in motion. For Goats and Soda,photography is integral to it’s coverage of daily life,both the joys and struggles,across the Global South. Here are some of the most impactful photo-driven stories from 2025.

The Anthropocene Illusion: A Stark Visual Commentary

A polar bear confined to a drastically undersized zoo enclosure, a hotel balcony overlooking a herd of elephants, a tree mural obscured by smog – these are just a few of the arresting images featured in the new book the anthropocene Illusion. the work explores the profound and often unsettling ways in which humanity is reshaping the Earth. As one observer noted, “Mother Nature must be really annoyed at our fakery.” The photographs serve as a potent reminder of the consequences of human intervention on the natural world.

Courageous Portraits: Raising Awareness of Female Genital schistosomiasis

The photo exhibit Sahy Rano, displayed at the Photoville Festival in Brooklyn, New York, this summer, translates from Malagasy as “someone who is not afraid to dive into the water, even if there is a strong current.” This powerful title encapsulates the bravery of the women featured in the exhibit, who are shedding light on female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease. Photographer Miora Rajaonary photographed rahama Abdallah, Sylvia Razanaparana, and Suzanie Yolandrie in September 2024 in Ambanja, Northern Madagascar, to raise awareness of this parasitic infection. Frequently enough misdiagnosed as a sexually transmitted disease, FGS affects an estimated 56 million women and girls, primarily in Africa, according to the World Health Organization. The women, wearing traditional cosmetic face masks, agreed to be photographed to challenge the stigma surrounding the disease and advocate for greater attention and resources.

The Perilous Lives of South Africa’s “Zama Zamas”

In Ermelo, South Africa, abandoned coal mines provide a dangerous livelihood for thousands of informal miners known as “Zama Zamas” – meaning “those who take risks.” These individuals, often migrants from neighboring countries, risk their lives daily to extract coal, hoping to earn enough money to support their families. Photographer Siphiwe Mkhize documented their harsh conditions,capturing images of cramped tunnels,makeshift equipment,and the ever-present threat of collapse. His work offers a glimpse into a hidden world of desperation and resilience.

Tradition and Technology: A Nomadic Family in Mongolia

Mongolia, captivated by a documentary about a Norwegian reindeer herder. Despite their remote location – accessible only by horseback or reindeer – families in this nomadic community remain connected to the outside world through solar panels, car batteries, and occasional Wi-Fi access. The photograph illustrates the complex interplay between technology and tradition in a rapidly changing world.

Celebrating Women: From Divers to Astronauts

The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, honored International Women’s Day with a new photo exhibit, “Iconic Women: From Everyday Life to Global Heroes.” The exhibit showcased portraits of women from diverse backgrounds, including Soon-ja Hong, a 69-year-old Haenyeo – a “woman of the sea” – from Jeju Island, South Korea. For centuries, the women of Jeju Island have taken on the vital role of deep-sea diving to provide food and income for their families and communities. However, this tradition is fading, with the number of Haenyeo dwindling to just a few thousand, most of whom are elderly.

Perspectives from Behind the Lens: Photography by People with Disabilities

A collection of prize-winning photographs by photographers with disabilities offered unique and compelling perspectives on the world. Awinash Kulkarni, a paraplegic photographer, captured a poignant image of a young performer engaging in a high-wire act, expressing his concern for the boy’s safety. The collection showcased a range of subjects, from everyday moments to breathtaking landscapes, demonstrating the power of photography to transcend physical limitations and offer fresh insights.

these photographs, and the stories they tell, serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of visual storytelling in a world increasingly dominated by fleeting images. They offer a space for reflection, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.