Best of 2011: Your Cell Phone Pictures

This year cell phone pictures brought us news stories, from protests in Tahrir Square to the impact of Hurricane Irene. For our one and only best-of 2011 project, we want to collect the year's best pictures -- that are sitting on your cell phone.

Brian Lehrer
Superman's last refuge. Basement of the NY Public Library main branch.
Jody Avirgan, BL Show
A decidedly unbothered woman walking her dog the morning that Hurricane Irene was set to hit Lower Manhattan.
Brandon Emerick
A foggy morning dog walk in Red Hook.
Steven Seighman
A shot of a stormy day in NYC, snapped from my desk in the Flatiron building.
Christopher Ramsden
I took this picture with my phone the morning after Hurricane Irene in Astoria Park.
Mary Salig (MarySalig@gmail.com)
I work in the Arsenal building in Central Park. Everyday I walk to my office on Wein Walk, which enters the park around 60th Street and ends at a gathering of buildings just before the zoo. Caricaturists line the walk with tourists making up the vast majority of their business. I don't know if this gentleman was a tourist or not, but know for sure that there is some sort of a story here. I just wish I knew it.
christine giglio
This was taken in the rest stop near exit 7 on the NJ turnpike. The label is on the stalls in the ladies room. I think this Hiny Hiders is the best and most appropriate name for a company that makes bathroom stalls. It makes me smile.
Jason Winfield
This summer squall came out of nowhere, and I managed to capture this eerie shot of the Hudson as it roiled beneath the storm. I was trapped on a trashy party boat at Chelsea Piers. This storm bought me the time I needed to disembark before I could be trapped on the boat for the evening.
Geoffry Gertz
Steve Jobs Street Memorial
Geoffry Gertz
Flash march around Washington park taking over the city inspired by Occupy Wall St.
Nat
Mural on Houston
Rayna Hickman-Winfield
While working as a Perfomer on the Disney Cruise Line we stopped on the Island of Madeira in the Atlantic on our way back from the Mediterranean. We were hiking along their ancient aquaducts and came upon a herd of cows. This one stepped to the side and posed so perfectly. It was slightly misty and I just can't believe a cellphone caught this beauty.
Geoffry Gertz
Brooklynites cheer with affirmations NYC Marathon runners on 4th Ave leaving Park Slope.
Freda Moon
In place of a parking permit, a hand-written sign on the window reads: "This car belongs to Josian Lopez, an MTA employee."
Geoffry Gertz
Occupy Wall Street Rally, October 5, 2011.
Geoffry Gertz
Occupy Wall Street Rally, October 5, 2011
Geoffry Gertz
Steve Jobs memorial in front of the Prince Street Apple store.
Geoffry Gertz
Steve Jobs memorial in front of the Prince Street Apple store.
NATHALIA CHALMERS
I went with a friend of mine from England, in early autumn to South Hampton for the first time, after living in NY for 14 years. Driving around in the rain on our last day I was struck by how safely the affluent can hide in these exclusive communities of private roads, illegal immigrant gardeners, perfect vistas. The OWS protests were just kicking off - and the image of the 1% hiding from the rest of the world, selectively seeing only what they wish to see was in my mind on this trip.
Betty Ann
Saw this gem at the 114th Precinct in Astoria, Queens.
Harry Yudenfriend
Patrick Martin (my step son) is in his senior year and plays water polo for Dartmouth. I finally got a good picture!
Barbara L. Hanson
This was taken as my friend Irma and I, who had stayed a wee bit too long in Chadwick Beach in order to enjoy one more night of grilling, fled the eerily quiet Jersey Shore before the onslaught of Irene.
Kristina Williamson
I was in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge shooting wedding photographs of a Bride and Groom and some of their closest friends who had traveled from Germany to marry in New York City. Just as we were finishing up, a group of NYPD police officers approached us saying "You guys better get out of here NOW. The Occupy Wall Street protesters are coming up here to march and it ain't gonna be pretty". They suggested, instead of turning around to head back towards Manhattan where our limousine awaited, that we continue all the way over to the Brooklyn side of the bridge to avoid any conflict. I said, "That's ridiculous. We are not the 1%. I'm sure we'll be fine." And with a wink and a smile, we headed back towards Manhattan. Then they arrived. A sea of protesters spread wide across the Brooklyn Bridge footpath for as far as one could see. They were shouting, holding up signs and coming right at us. But as we got closer, the shouts of protest began to change to "Congratulations!" The protesters gave us a warm welcome as we passed by, offering their well-wishes, exchanging hand shakes and hi-fives, even stopping for pictures. It was a beautiful reception.
Barbara Alvarez
These are the 20 or so turkeys that live on my property here in Jackson, NJ.
Barbara Alvarez
The begining of the end of summer when the sunflowers bloom. It's so bittersweet!
Nicholas F.S.
A dumpster used for clearing out the new Brooks Brothers store in Westport, CT. A photo which could be interpreted in many ways.
Greetings, I own a small limousine company, Island Bound Limo.com and have taken dozens of pictures of the Empire State Building from various angles and distances over the past five years. This one was taken from downtown and captures Empire’s night time sister building, Chrysler. Thanks! -Michael F. Engelhart
Anna B
January 27, 2011 Snow Day. Man made ski jump just south of the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park
Anna B
January 27, 2011 Snow Day, near 79th and 5th Avenue
Anna B
August 27, 2011 Fairway shuts it doors around 11:00am after selling out of its stock pre-Irene.
Anna B
June 21, 2011 Summer Solstice yoga session in times square
Anna B
September 18th, 2011, A look at the WTC Memorial from the 47th floor of 7 World Trade.
Marissa Gonzalez
Dumbo Arts Festival 9/24/11 Free rides at the Dumbo Carousel and here are young-at-heart men enjoying a ride. Look at this pic and try to tell me New Yorkers are mean - maybe we just don't smile every moment, even when we're having fun!
Pete Santorella
This picture shows both snow and autumn leaves from our October storm that took our power out for six days.
Pete from Closter, NJ
This picture shows both snow and autumn leaves from our October storm that took our power out for six days.
Joe
On West Houston Street
Joe
Snowman in October: White Plains, NY
Joe
Occupy Wall Street protest near Union Square
Linda Darling
This photo was taken outside of a bus repair garage in Gowanus. The owner had planted a small christmas tree in a large crack in the sidewalk and decorated. It was just a fluke he happened to park one of his buses with a large decal of the earth plastered on the side. Joy to the World!
Brian Lehrer
Occupy Giant, Zuccotti Park

January 02, 2012 11:31:23 PM
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Jaime Martorano

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Sept. 11 Memorial at Liberty State Park on Sept. 11, 2011

January 02, 2012 09:02:37 PM
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Marty Stanton

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Shot on 12/21 at the 9/11 Memorial. It was a warm night, and the rain stopped, with mist just over the top of the Freedom Tower.

January 02, 2012 01:59:36 PM
January 02, 2012 12:03:54 PM
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Renee Stanley

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On Sept. 10th Fireboat John J. Harvey was honored to transport apx. 40 firefighters who rode their bicycles up from Florida on the Freedom Ride to commemorate 9/11. One of the firefighters who was training for the ride was hit and killed by a car before the ride began. His fellow firefighters wanted him to still be able to complete the ride, so they carried his ashes with them as they rode up the east coast. Here, they are preparing to spread his ashes in the Hudson off the WTC site. Before they did so, the canister with the ashes was passed around over their heads, and hands began to spontaneously reach up to touch it. The bagpipes played 'Amazing Grace.' Needless to say, it is a moment that will linger with all of us honored to see it.

January 02, 2012 11:25:37 AM
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James Silvestro

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I snapped this from my seat aboard the Empire Builder Amtrak in Minot, North Dakota during the flooding of the Souris River. The water had made it's way right up to the tracks and we slowed to a literal crawl across North Dakota - it took us 18 hours to get from the western border of the state to the eastern.

December 31, 2011 07:15:29 PM
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judy

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when are you posting the pictures that were uploaded

December 31, 2011 11:35:49 AM
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Richard Fremont

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A recent photo of a sign at Zuccotti Park (sorry about previous submission typo)behind bars claiming "Open to the Public"

December 31, 2011 11:18:27 AM
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Richard Fremont

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A picture taken recently of the Zucatti Park sign declaring "Open to the Public"

December 31, 2011 09:27:56 AM
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Siobhan Coyle

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This is a photograph take on "St Stephens Day" December 26 2010 at the beginning of the snowstorm, it is taken in "The Queen Vic" bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan while my friend and I enjoyed some festive drinks.
After we left the bar(In the early hours) we had to trek through the blizzard in the middle of the road to Greenwich Village in a city that was bus free, taxi free, & car free, we felt like it was us against the storm!

December 31, 2011 08:53:58 AM
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Jenni Nickles

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Farrah is excited as her dog Bella makes a wish over a birthday dog biscuit.

December 31, 2011 01:24:43 AM
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nancy sherman

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Cellos for sale, displayed in Stamford, CT on December 7, 2011 - the peace of music as contrast to the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

December 31, 2011 01:19:57 AM
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nancy sherman

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Isolated holdout townhouse on 57th street in NYC, having lost its neighbors to impending new construction.

December 31, 2011 01:12:44 AM
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nancy sherman

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wonderfully sculpture-like tree growing in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

December 30, 2011 05:04:18 PM
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Chris Cozzi

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Over the Summer I was on a WBLS music cruise that sailed from Chelsea Piers to the tip of Manhattan. A squall blew through and created an ominous sky and high winds. This sail boat struggled through those brief windy conditions with lower Manhattan in the background.

December 30, 2011 03:11:14 PM
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Jessica Brookes-Parkhill

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Where the Sidewalk Ends: Hurricane Irene. Taken with my iPhone in Jersey City, NJ after hurricane Irene. In-app editing done using Snapseed and Juxtaposer apps. Metadata added with Lightroom.

December 30, 2011 02:35:19 PM
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Tony Costa

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Fall '11 fashion week - model go-seeing on 38th street taken with Blackberry pearl

December 30, 2011 02:16:06 PM
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Tony Costa

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Just another day of shopping for two Buddhist monks hailing a cab mid-day on 8th ave between 39th & 40th street.
Taken with a Blackberry pearl Fall 2011.

December 30, 2011 12:57:48 PM
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M.K. Jones

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I'm with my sister who makes a matzo and candy temple for her annual Hanukkah party. It's never the same and always delicious!

December 30, 2011 12:24:53 PM
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Ann Rittenberg

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I took this with my BlackBerry on a November morning when mist lay over the Long Meadow of Prospect Park. This tree is near the Picnic House.

December 29, 2011 01:58:50 PM
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Jenny Rivera

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I took this photo at the Met Museum. I don't know the artist, or the little girl, but I loved that a person was creating new art from old art, and new interest in both the new and old form someone so young.