In an extraordinary annual review, photojournalists are stepping forward to share the visual narratives that defined the year's most critical moments.

The PBS NewsHour's annual CANVAS arts and culture series has gathered four remarkable visual storytellers who captured unprecedented global events, from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to transformative shifts in U.S. immigration policy.

These photographers, each serving as a critical witness to historic change, have documented scenes that transcend mere imagery - transforming complex geopolitical realities into powerful, human stories that resonate across cultures and continents.

Their work this year spans multiple dramatic landscapes: the war-torn regions of Ukraine, where conflict continues to reshape human experiences; the evolving immigration enforcement policies in the United States that are dramatically altering lives; and the momentous selection of a new pope, symbolizing significant institutional transformation.

By capturing these pivotal moments, these photojournalists do more than record events - they provide nuanced, compassionate windows into the profound human experiences underlying global headlines, allowing viewers to understand the deeper emotional and societal contexts of these transformative moments.

The CANVAS series represents an essential bridge between raw news and meaningful narrative, transforming photographic documentation into a profound form of storytelling that connects audiences with the complex, often overlooked human dimensions of world-changing events.