SmartFrame Images: Our Picture Editor’s favorite images

Our Picture Editor is closer than most to the 52 million images on our SmartFrame Images platform. So which are his favorites?

SmartFrame Picture Editor Marc Goodwin has oversight of the huge volume of images entering our SmartFrame Images platform, from everyday football matches to the world’s grandest tournaments, film premieres, awe-inspiring landscapes, and the breaking news events that make the front pages.

As the curator of our Editor’s Picks, Marc holds an unrivaled position as the person closest to our content. So, out of the millions of images in the collection, which are the ones that truly stand out to him? Here, he runs through his selection.

Manchester City FC team talk

Marc says: This image was captured just ahead of Manchester City’s game against Nottingham Forest earlier this year – and it’s brilliant because it provides an inside view of a private team talk that is normally hidden from the public. The composition is perfectly symmetrical, using the stadium lights to create a sparkle that draws you into the center. It captures the importance of the moment and the intense way the players are looking at each other. While TV cameras usually show this from a distance, this image brings you right into that moment.

Skiing over the Olympic Rings

Marc says: This is an amazing moment, frozen in time. It feels more like a piece of landscape photography that has seamlessly incorporated sport. The angle of the crossed skis emphasizes how precarious and difficult this move is. It’s a beautifully composed, dead-center shot that looks like a piece of art you would hang on your wall.

Jack Black and Paul Rudd at the Anaconda premiere

Marc says: This picture is just ridiculous in the best way; it makes you laugh as soon as you see it. Jack Black always looks like he’s having the time of his life, and this shows that energy perfectly. He comes across as a normal bloke who is just genuinely excited to be there. It’s a brilliant, joyful image that captures the same spirit he brings to his live performances.

Patrick Dorgu’s overhead kick

Marc says: This is the quintessential overhead kick captured at the perfect moment. What really makes it stand out is the detail of the grass flying off the player’s boot and the ball held in such a tight, close position. You have the Brighton & Hove player, Bruno, looking on hopefully that it’s going to go wrong, and even the referee in the background is locked onto the action. The player’s face is absolutely great and his hair is going everywhere; it’s just a great, high-impact football picture that catches the eye immediately.

ICE crackdown in Minneapolis

Marc says: This is a very powerful news picture. You have the subject walking out of a nightmare situation, framed by smoke, flames, and an eerie redness in the background. What makes it so striking is the angle – the subject is looking directly at the photographer’s lens. It feels as though he is looking straight at you as he emerges from the chaos.

Lando Norris wins the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship

Marc says: This image captures the raw passion and excitement of a world-class athlete reaching the pinnacle of his sport. For a driver like Lando Norris, who has been karting since he was seven years old, this represents the culmination of a lifelong journey. The sheer action etched on his face tells the story of the entire season and the massive achievement of finally reaching that top spot.

Fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong

Marc says: This is a terrifying image that captures the sheer scale of a disaster. It’s impossible to look at this without feeling the pain and misery of the moment; it brings the same kinds of feelings the news about Grenfell Tower did. Seeing three full lanes packed with emergency vehicles beneath the massive structure emphasizes the human cost of the event. It’s a powerful, harrowing image that evokes real feeling, and it’s impossible to look away from.

Wales v All Blacks

Marc says: There is so much excitement and atmosphere in this shot, helped by the hazy, smoky light. It captures a strong moment of contrast between the teams. You can see the clear disappointment on the face of the All Blacks player right next to the Welsh team. Given that Wales has struggled in the top tier recently, seeing that level of passion and excitement on their faces makes for a very powerful sports moment.

Raye performs at Bloomingdale’s X Burberry Holiday Unveil

Marc says: I love the composition of this shot. The singer’s fingernails and the microphone lead your eye directly into her face. Even though her face is slightly out of focus, you can feel the power of the performance. The way the light hits the sequins and details leads everything back to her; it’s a great shot where you can almost hear the voice coming through the image.

Anthony Joshua takes on Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami

Marc says: This is a great frozen moment from a highly hyped fight that truly shows the power of AJ. The timing is perfect, capturing the white glove against the black background just as it follows through. You can see the sheer force as the opponent’s neck turns and his hair flies up. The impact was so hard it didn’t just break the jaw where it hit, but caused a break on the other side as well. It’s a violent shot, but undeniably impressive. 

Teyana Taylor at the Golden Globe Awards

Marc says: This is an incredibly crisp image, and a great, cheeky moment of excitement. The framing is mega – the flow of the dress and the lines of her arms lead your eye right up to that facial expression. With the light sparkling on her hair and shoulders, it’s a stunning, energetic portrait. I love it.

Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Lagos

Marc says: This is a textbook example of beautiful composition. Using a drone to get a perspective we don’t normally see, the photographer has captured a totally symmetrical landscape where every line leads straight to the center. It’s a beautifully thought-out image that functions as a piece of art. It’s the kind of picture that deserves to be displayed on a wall.

Suella Braverman defects to Reform UK

Marc says: For a news portrait, this is incredibly striking. It captures the former Home Secretary during her move to Reform UK. Regardless of your politics, the image conveys a real passion for her cause. The lighting is excellent, particularly the glow behind her hand, making it a very intense and emotional political moment.

Rita Ora performs at the 2026 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Marc says: As far as an entertainment shot goes, this ticks all the boxes. It’s a lovely, well-lit picture that captures the grand occasion of a big event. The composition is beautifully symmetrical, with the smoke and the lights framing her and leading the viewer’s eye straight back to her.