Karen Terpstra

Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright, NJ. House destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

I took the photo as a reminder of the power and devastation of the storm.

Audrey A. Hale

New York Botanical Garden - August 14, 2012. Exhibit called Monet's Garden.

This was really like being in Giverny, France -- Monet's home. It was a spectacular display of natural beauty in the heart of New York that perfectly captured the essence of Monet's garden. It was like being transported into Monet's paintings.

Kenneth Scott Norris

I took this photo of the sunrise this morning (Dec 20) from our bedroom window here on Chincoteague Island, VA. The sunrise was indeed spectacular and my Samsung smartphone was just outside the bedroom door. I am amazed by both the beauty and clarity of the photo. I have not had to edit it. The news value of this photo is to remind ourselves of the beauty that surrounds us if we take the time to look at it.

Mary Ann

I took this photo on Lispenard Street in Manhattan. I like it's contrasts. I think it's a fresh thought in a well-worn medium and diamond in the rough.

Pat Eisemann

I went to the "Jaws" film fest on Martha's Vineyard in August. We canoed to this beach across a lagoon and hiked over the dune to the ocean. On top of the dune it was clear what the weather thought of the arrangement! It reminded me of a NY Black and White Cookie -- the yin/yang of life.

Pat Eisemann

Post Hurricane Sandy and a Thanksgiving for 20, my husband and I went to Puerto Rico for 5 days of R&R. We found a food shack on the beach in San Juan and I thought this glass of Chardonnay told our story. I liked that the clouds ended up in the drink; which was the point of the trip. to get away and remove ourselves.

Donna Dekle

This was taken at the New York Botanical Garden shortly before we were hit by hurricane Sandy. I like it because of the warm afternoon light it communicates and the unusual beauty of the lily pads.

Len stein

NYC subway basrelief- little known NY with New Years theme

Laura Grieser

I took this photo out of a car window while driving back to the airport in Montego Bay in Jamaica. The distorted image in motion suggests a sense of urgency and the low shooting perspective makes the figure look larger than life. The viewer is led make their own judgement on this mysterious character based on the composition of the shot, her facial expression and the contents in her hand.

riva rosenfield

I took this photo after Hurricane Sandy to show that at least something droll or witty followed in the wake of the destruction from the storm. It makes people smile. President St. Park Slope.

Laura Grieser

I took this photo of the Giants Superbowl victory parade out of my office window in Tribeca New York. People took to the streets and traffic was at a standstill as evidenced by the trapped police car in the center of the frame. This photograph really shows the power of a crowd while the police vehicle looks helpless.

karen brinkman

This photo was taken in Union Beach NJ after volunteering there with my family for post-Sandy clean-up. I took the photo because its amazing that the structure is still standing (bit top heavy). I like it fo a number of reasons, mostly that the sky seems to be flowing through the 1st floor; there are subtle horizontal lines of overhead wires & street lane lines that frame the picture; and lastly the colors of the sky & house work well together.

Zachary Stewart

I call this photo “Lunchtime in Curry Hill.” I took it one afternoon when I was walking by the corner of 28th street and Lexington Avenue. You’ll notice that all the cars, spare one, are yellow cabs, some double-parked. It confirms my notion that this is indeed the best place in Manhattan to get affordable South Asian cuisine.

Elizabeth Sobo

My son is never home for Chanukah - he lives in California. I missed him especially this year, so sent him a photo of the last two latkes left and promised to make him a batch when he's home. They're his favorite. It's sad in a way, but at least we were able to share the celebration with him from 3,000 miles away in New Jersey. They were tasty, too!

Elizabeth Sobo

How easily we take for granted the ease of our current life. Flip a switch and anything is possible! We were very fortunate - without electricity for a mere 48 hours, but nevertheless cold, hungry and bored for much of the time! It was an interesting lesson and we were VERY thankful for many things on Thanksgiving - all the more so this year.

Erik McGregor

MONOBAMNEY: From drawing board to life. Photomontage created with Pic Stitch for iPhone. Documenting The People's Puppets of Occupy Wall Street concept and creation of a 15 feet tall Monopoly Guy puppet holding the 2012 Presidential candidates by their ties, symbolizing the power of corporations and plutocracy over the Political system in our country.

maura staker

I took this photo at Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet, MA July, 2012.

I was a therapeutic foster parent for this traumatized 11 year old child. She was in 10 schools in ten years and abused her whole life.

I live in New York but took her to Cape Cod for 5 days when she first came to live with me.

This was the day we arrived. We went to see the bay, the tide was out and it was late. She took her shovels, ran down to the water, stopped and stared in wonder. I stood behind her in awe. She was embraced by the universe.

I love this picture because so many children are abused and traumatized in our society and they are in our universe. We must acknowledge our troubled children and give them help.

jeanie

Picture taken in Union Beach NJ.
AFter seeing the devestation, this abandoned house and it's message struck a chord. Somehow it was defiant and defeated at the same time.

Maureen

Walking down Ave A near Tompkins Square Park with my 12 year old daughter we were startled by a cacophony of bicycle horns and bells behind us. What's going on we wonder?? The Topless Bike parade!! Oh butt (pun intended!) wait, there's more! By the time we get the phone out it's the end of the parade and nothing less than a flabby ol' man's butt in a red jock strap...oh, to grow up in NYC!!

Wayne Simpson

A sailboat sits perched on the dock at the David Beaton and Sons boatyard in Mantoloking, NJ in the wake of superstorm Sandy. I was in the yard to check on my own boat, which was thankfully spared from serious damage. What do I like about this image? Well, you certainly don't see this every day.