Best of 2012: Your Cell Phone Pictures

There are plenty of roundups of the year's best photography, but we want to gather 2012's best photos -- that are sitting on your cell phone. James Estrin, New York Times Lens blogger, will look at your photographs a announce his favorites on Wednesday, December 26th.

Got a favorite? Vote it up, or leave a comment!

Update: See Jim Estrin's favorite photographs here.

Note: The slideshow below only displays the most recent submissions. Look below for the full archive of photos.

Charles Maraia
Pilings in the Hudson River on the west side as the flooding from Sandy.
Brian LaRossa
Taken in Park Slope the day Sandy hit; before she had done any damage.
Irene Gallo
Times Square
Casey
Month or so ago, I was in my parents' backyard as the family cat, Bandit, napped. I placed my phone on a table and zoomed in. He woke up and crept toward me. Very friendly cat that unfortunately had a stroke, so he's much sweeter than he looks these days. I know it's a pet photo, breaks the rules, but I was just impressed that this was not touched-up, looks terrifying.
Sarah Pachelli
...because summer sunsets in NYC are pretty much the most magical thing ever. (taken on the Staten Island ferry)
Kevin Kehler
What is left of the board walk in far Rockawy
Brandon Emerick
This was indicative of what my entire 25 year record collection looked like after my apartment was submerged by Sandy.
Margaret DeVico
I took this photo on Thursday, November 1st, which was the first day I was able to leave my Hoboken apartment after Sandy. It's inside Saint Peter and Paul's Church on Hudson Street at about 9:00AM. I charged my phone and my laptop for the first time since the storm hit, and while I was there I was given hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich by a random stranger. I left around 10:00AM, and by then there was a large group of people waiting for an open outlet.
Kaylah pantaleon
Gas shortage in Yonkers, NY! 2012.
Brandon Emerick
This is what it looked like in Red Hook during the Sandy blackout snowstorm.
Michael Davidson
Took while in the PATH to Newark NJ. Love to shoot people sleeping on train. I love that this young man is dressed for success head to toe :)
martin bretzin
Taken off the coast of ft lauderdale, florida. Just graduated college and started my career in the yachting industry. Not necessarily a journalistic topic but proud to show that even in my demographic (age under 25) I can find a great job in todays economy.
Blaze Nowara
A few days after Sandy I took this photo in Long Branch, NJ (Monmouth County). I like the composition and the simplicity of the photograph regardless of the devastating story it tells.
Kevin kehler
Taking a subway ride with a Pigeon. Sometimes pigeons don't fly everywhere
Allegra
When/Where: Immediately post-Sandy on Riverside Drive. Why: Using my 11 month old puppy Tango for scale, I wanted to show my friends how Sandy impacted my neighborhood, the Upper West Side: wind more than water. I like it because the photo tells that story AND more personally, I was pretty psyched about this sit-stay - he would usually come and lick the camera. And the photo also speaks to my puppy's love of sticks, but that's not so universally newsworthy!
Dennis Lee
This photo was taken in Columbus, OH where I was visiting an old friend this summer. We spotted a praying mantis on a bush in front of his apartment and as I tried to take a picture of it, it leaped onto my iPhone. The actual photo was taken by my friend at that moment. It came out really well, I believe it didn't even need cropping. We'd joked that Apple would would buy this image. Thanks!
Jo-Ellen Trilling
This photo was taken at home of Christmas tree ornaments ( repainted) with an added caption. The monkeys were purchased at the Union Square Christmas Market. I took it because I am an editorial artist. The objects are a gift for my son-in-law Jeremiah Goulka who writes political commentary. I like it because it's funny but a necessary sentiment.
Kevin Turner
I took this photo at New York Road Runners' official kick off to the doomed 2012 ING NYC Marathon. I was registered to run the race for the first time and on that day, I remember feeling so much excitement.
Paul Brozo
This is a shot of Hoboken looking down from the Heights of Jersey City the morning after Hurricane Sandy hit. The water came all the way up to the hill we live on, about a mile from the Hudson's western banks. Notice the two semi trucks trying to drive through, water reaching halfway up their sides. We also found out that by zooming in, you can see a man trapped inside the black SUV. We were shocked at the depth of the water so far inland against the eerie backdrop of a dark Freedom Tower. (Pic #2 in subsequent post.)
Taylor Roig
This is a non edited picture from my terrace in east Harlem, my view from the 30th floor. I love the contrast of the snow with the sunset... I just get a feeling of warmth and comfort from the picture. I can't explain it...
Matthew Yanchuk
It's a haunting shot taken from Smith St in Brooklyn.
Rachael Zur
Homeless man in Midtown
susan w
D.C. just before the election. Commodifying man of the year!
George
This is a photo of my favorite bridge in NY and the one that has the least exposure. I guess cause its a train bridge. Its even got a great name. Hell Gate Bridge. It was taken from Astoria Park during sunset. 2 bridges, one ship one river and a sunset.
Matt L
Zucotti Park, 10/14. 'Nuff said.
Dorian
I took this in Greenwich Village, on W. 10th St., a few days after power was restored there. It with a touch of ironic humor and a (likely) knowing reference to a horror show of yore, talked of Sandy.
susan w.
Sandy, inland. Anthropomorphism among killer trees run rampant: this one just lay down for 20 winks.
Carol Davis
After losing power for 10 days after Sandy, I took this photo of my husband just seconds after the lights came on. He found a way to keep warm. Count the cats!
Kevin Turner
This is a screenshot that I took as the announcements from the Supreme Court regarding the Affordable Care Act came rolling in. There was a lot of confusion that morning as news outlets scrambled to analyze the ruling.
Gary Eckstein
My wife and I rode our bikes to Red Hook the day after Sandy. I took this shot of the still flooded Beard Street on my iPhone. The high water mark is still visible on the warehouse where receding water from inside the Fairway apparently damaged the bottom of the security gate.
Kayan Lam
We had to throw away my sister's piano had to thrown out post storm sandy.
Yolande
This is one of the window displays at the 2012 Macy's Flower Show taken from the sidewalk. All the displays were beautiful, made up of bright flowers, plants and Brazilian samba costumes. This was my first time seeing the Macy's flower showed. Loved it.
Edward E. Crouse
Monroe St between Wabash Ave and Michigan Ave, Chicago, Ill. May 21, 2012. I was marching with National Lawyers' Guild legal observers to get their view of things. The faces, however blurry, render the shapes of the municipal (and in this case international) control of protests and first amendment rights.
Paul Brozo
This is a shot of Hoboken the morning after Hurricane Sandy hit. You can see the City of Hoboken sign in the center along with other badly damaged and immersed signs. This is at the innermost edge of the city, about a mile from the Hudson. Prior to this shot being taken, a man was trapped inside the black SUV. We were shocked at the depth of the water so far inland. More pictures upon request.
Jeff Pappas
Album release " A Viberatto B ". Jimmy Goodman plays Kingston NY
Conor McDonough
Super storm Sandy overflows the Gowanus Canal at 2nd Street in Brooklyn.
Jeff Pappas
Holiday Decorations and old brick , Albany NY
Edward E. Crouse
130 E Randolph St, Chicago, Ill., September 4, 2012. Near the close of a muddled election season in which America's wars were scarcely mentioned, groups such as Veterans for Peace, the Gay Liberation Front, and Occupy Chicago reminded citizens of the stakes of drone strikes and other military actions. After a march through downtown, these coffins were left in front of the president's campaign headquarters. The crowd scattered slowly without publicly announcing that the coffins would stay until the police or building security took them away. Not nearly as packed as the NATO protests, but important nonetheless.
Emily Allen
Fort Tilden, Brooklyn.
Rachael Zur
Taken in Chennai, India from a car

December 21, 2012 01:15:04 PM
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Sandy Cook

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The Casino in Asbury Park, NJ, has been a symbol of fun on the boarwalk. Although Sandy(the storm) furiously tried to destroy it and indeed did cause much damage, as it has over the many years of storms, it still stands majestically as a great symbol of endurance on the Jersey Shore

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December 21, 2012 01:01:49 PM
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Brandon Remler

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As I wandered around after Sandy - this image at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel jumped out and startled me when I noticed the submerged truck at the entrance.

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December 21, 2012 12:56:34 PM
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Sandy Cook

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Photo #1- The Casino in Asbury Park, NJ, has been a symbol of fun on the boarwalk. Although Sandy(the storm) furiously tried to destroy it and indeed did cause much damage, as it has over the many years of storms, it still stands majestically as a great symbol of endurance on the Jersey Shore.

Photo #2- Bruce Sprinsteen recalled Madam Marie's as a long and ongoing staple of the boardwalk in Asbury Park, NJ. Amazangly it still stands proudly,next to the rubble caused by the storm called Sandy. Another symbol of the endurance and spirit at the Jersey Shore.

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December 21, 2012 12:53:05 PM
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Margery Cohen

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This is my cat, Gizmo on the first night of Hanukkah posing next to the menorah that I made.

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December 21, 2012 12:50:36 PM
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Cassandra Pappas

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This is my pet lovebird, Orangina, looking at a photo of herself on my iPhone. In the photo she is looking at my iPhone. I think this photo illustrates how even pets cannot resist the allure of smart phone technology!

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December 21, 2012 12:50:33 PM
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Margery Cohen

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This photo was taken from the train in Newark. Could have been in Syria.

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December 21, 2012 12:44:04 PM
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Grace Tracy

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Shells, shells - beautifulshells!
Walking on the shore on the North Shore of LI, I wanted to capture the simplicity and beauty of nature.

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December 21, 2012 12:37:24 PM
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Matthew Yanchuk

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Red Hook after Sandy

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December 21, 2012 12:36:18 PM
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Grace Tracy

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I took this photo while strolling in Hudson, NY. It was the weekend after President Obama's less than stellar performance in the Presidential Debate, and I felt doubtful about his chances. When I looked up in the window of this apartment, it made me smile and gave me hope. I put it on my phone screensaver as good luck until the elections and happily, it worked!!

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December 21, 2012 12:34:02 PM
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Jason Snyder

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Front Street, Staten Island, NYC, 10/30/12

Out on my bike the day after Sandy, checking out the damage on the North Shore of Staten Island (where I live). The North Shore got away relatively easy but to me this demonstrates the intense power of the storm. Front Street is open to traffic but the ship is still there.

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December 21, 2012 12:24:24 PM
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Bubbette McLeod

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Double rainbow on Orkney Islands, off Northern Scotland, last Sept. It rains a lot, then stops, so there are a lot of rainbows, but not so many double ones.

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December 21, 2012 12:21:30 PM
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Naomi

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Young dad nurturer in subway

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December 21, 2012 12:18:07 PM
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Leah Harris

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In July my sister and I were lucky enough to explore Tacheles, in Mitte, Berlin. Tacheles was a two decades-old artist squat/colony, originally formed after the fall of the Wall, when East Berlin was abandoned and artists moved in, taking advantage of all the free housing. Tacheles was an institution in the avantgarde art world and provided studio space and an (artistic) home for artists and culture for the burgeoning East Berlin. In September, after months of controversy, the building was finally successfully seized by a bank in Hamburg and Tacheles was closed for good. I am so happy I had the opportunity to explore Tacheles and meet some of the artists and see their art. Many are commenting that the close of Tacheles is in line with many of the commercial developments currently plaguing Berlin (particularly East Berlin). To orient one's eye, this image is of a staircase within Tacheles. There was no electricity or plumbing in the building in July, it had already been shut off by the bank that eventually shut the entire building down.

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December 21, 2012 12:18:04 PM
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Jo Ann Fellan

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The beauty and force of nature. Water freezing quickly becoming icecles on the boardwalk of Sea Cliff beach, LI ,Ny. After a year of turbulence, violence. This picture brings forth the pure beauty of Nature. We all need more of this! Peace,beauty, and wonder.

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December 21, 2012 12:11:55 PM
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Bubbette McLeod

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It was so foggy I thought the Brooklyn Bridge looked like London Bridge

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December 21, 2012 12:09:29 PM
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Gregory Schnese

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After Sandy passed NYC, I went for a run in BK the next day. When I got to the East River, I took this panoramic image.

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December 21, 2012 12:08:31 PM
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Michael Manto

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So, I saw this (on private property) from the road, in rural Connecticut. I pulled my car over a snapped this photo.
My take away is a smart, creative person transformed this storm damaged tree into art.
Very cool!

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December 21, 2012 12:06:16 PM
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Jennie C

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Space Shuttle Endeavour on its last stretch before pulling into its new home in LA. Seeing the sheer size of it up close was well worth the wait - and heat! To see every scratch, dent and burn mark up close was remarkable.

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December 21, 2012 12:05:54 PM
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Francisco Graciano

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I know it's a kid but its not my kid. I flew back to San Antonio in November and my sister and I went directly to a grocery store upon my arrival. Outside stood this little boy with his mother dutifully standing next to him. I thought it was shocking and I asked the mother if I could take a photograph. She gave me permission and I quickly took the shot. His eyes say it all. The shame in this poor little guys face is too much for a guy his age. I'm pretty sure he'll never steal again though.

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December 21, 2012 12:05:00 PM
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Christopher Devlin

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This is a photo of Sweets from Rockaway NY. I took this photo in the middle of November, my second week of working in Rockaway Park. The previous two weeks had been pretty intense, working with volunteers from Rockaway and others, ike myself, coming in from other boroughs to contribute to the relief efforts.
Sweets and I set out on foot to check out a new volunteer site and just kind of took it easy on the way. We walked slow, took in the debris filled views, and had a few laughs. This photo is a result.

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