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 11:48:40 AM
:

saradani

:
:

Riding home on summer weekday, I looked up from my phone to see this mini t-rex trying to escape from the prison of a young artist's legs. For a second it looked quite real, and the usual sleepy/bored/dead-eyed expressions of our fellow passengers just added to this moment of magical realism. I love these little moments of bizarre that can break up the monotony of commuting.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:45:07 AM
:

Kris Enos

:
:

This photo was shot at the corner of Avenue C and 9th Street, which had the only cell phone reception in the neighborhood after Super Storm Sandy.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:42:44 AM
:

saradani

:
:

The steps of the New York Public Library. I was walking to the subway after a very emotional couples therapy session where I learned my still-husband was moving into the same building as this woman he had been seeing. I wasn't just sad, I felt hopeless. I turned the corner to see the steps of the NYPL lit up with what seemed like hundreds of little stars and the facade glowing a warm and welcoming red. I was flooded with the same feeling of wonder and excitement you have when you are still young enough to believe in magic.

Comments(2)
December 21, 2012 11:41:37 AM
:

Lisa Kaiser

:
:

On September 11, 2012 a group of French horticultural students and I toured The developing Brooklyn Bridge Park, a stupendous ongoing project. Everyone was highly aware of the poignancy of the day.
This Phoenix work crew stopped me in my tracks.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:41:30 AM
:

Konstancja Maleszynska

:
:

It's a picture I took during a trip to Poland with my New York state-born husband of an Al Jazeera truck covering the 2012 Euro Cup from Krakow in June. St. Mary's Basilica is visible in the background. It's less the cultural contrast, and more the happiness I felt when the world turned to my home country to cover the great sporting event, for once highlighting some *good news*.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:37:43 AM
:

Kris Enos

:
:

This was shot at Avenue A and St Marks Place Tompkins Square Park, at Art Around the Park. Firemen taking an ice cream cone break to watch some art.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:33:35 AM
:

Lisa Kaiser

:
:

One spectacular Sunday in October my sister and I canoed Brooklyn's Superfund sight, the Gowanus Canal. I have lived on Carroll Street for 25 years. This water has always been mythically unapproachable.
It was quiet. Saturated bright light bounced from every surface. We were very careful to place our paddles,splashing still out of the question.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:24:19 AM
:

Ellen Bate

:
:

Taken at sunset on 9/11/2012 from Brooklyn while waiting for the memorial lights to go in downtown
Manhattan.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:23:10 AM
:

Marie O.

:
:

Hasidic Jews among protesters outside the Israeli consulate in New York on November 16, 2012. Two days after Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza and as rockets from the Gaza Strip continued to fall in Israel, New Yorkers exercised their freedom of speech in all their diversity.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:22:47 AM
:

Harvey

:
:

I'm the owner of a dog walking service and some of my clients dogs' received a gift from me of either antlers or an elf's sock cap complete with a set of ears! The picture I'm enclosing was taken in a apartment of Pork Chop and his relaxed and natural demeanor is guaranteed to bring a smile to all.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:22:47 AM
:

TERRENCE GEARY

:
:

For a few weeks, Bill Cunningham was at the Union Square Farmers Market every Saturday morning; great opportunity to shoot the shooter. He couldn't get over this woman's outfit. A riot of color that day.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:18:47 AM
:

TERRENCE GEARY

:
:

My daily commute to the bronx crosses under the Bruckner early every morning. This particular intersection changes from pristine morning quiet to industrial traffic nightmare and back again over the course of the day.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:14:32 AM
:

Michael Cerrato

:
:

It's on my phone, but of course, I didn't take it. It was taken by the Curiosity rover on Mars. A Martian landscape looking like New Mexico. I found it amazing in it's clarity and detail.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:11:21 AM
:

Melanie

:
:

I was coming out of Trader Joes on Court Street, Brooklyn a few weeks ago and was greeted by this beautiful display of clouds

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:10:38 AM
:

Meaghan Tuohey-Kay

:
:

This was taken at a block party in Hawthorne NJ, September 2012. We had been enjoying the afternoon when a freak thunderstorm blew in out of nowhere. We were trying to hold the tents down and were getting soaked. I think this picture represents the "new normal" of freak weather...and of keeping a smile no matter what.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:08:55 AM
:

William Laviano

:
:

My thoughts on gun control:

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli"

This picture was taken in a bakery on Arthur Ave in the Little Italy section of the Bronx.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:08:41 AM
:

Ellen Bate

:
:

Taken at Keith Haring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. The unknown young lady seemed appropriately dressed. I couldn't resist the shot,

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:06:42 AM
:

Lauren

:
:

Taken on the Court Sq bound platform at the Fulton St G stop. (Full disclosure, in case it isn't obvious: it's been Instagrammed.)

I took it because I like that accidental crease -- like the storm, it reorients the landscape of the icon in ways Milton Glaser could never have imagined but which he created the canvas for. It's so suggestive -- if the heart is what it looks like and the black spot is ground zero, what's the thin white line?

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:06:15 AM
:

Rachel M

:
:

Bodies on Crosby Street.

We were walking up Crosby Street one evening last Spring and were taken aback by the contents of this dumpster.

Leave a comment
December 21, 2012 11:06:00 AM
:

Tom Phillips

:
:

Space Shuttle on parade over the Hudson in April. Taken from our apartment window on the Upper West Side.

Leave a comment
« Previous 1 ... 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 20 Next »