Best of 2021: Photos

Here are my favorite New Yorker photos of 2021:

1. Jerome Strauss’s photo for “Above & Beyond: The Annual Arrival of Cherry Blossoms,” April 19, 2021 (see above);

2. Amy Lombard's portrait of Jake Paul for Kelefa Sanneh's "Punching Down" (November 8, 2021);

3. Brian Emfinger's photo for Heidi Julavits's "The Fire Geyser" (August 23, 2021);

4. Lakin Ogunbanwo's portrait of El Anatsui for Julian Lucas's “Structure and Flow” (January 18, 2021);

5. Gus Powell's photo for Hannah Goldfield's "Tables for Two: Smashed NYC" (June 7, 2021);

6. Thomas Prior's portrait of Kate Orff for Eric Klinenberg's "Manufacturing Nature" (August 9, 2021);

7. Naila Ruechel's photo for Judith Thurman's "Eye of the Needle" (March 29, 2021);

8. William Mebane's photo for Hannah Goldfield's "Tables for Two: Dame" (January 25, 2021);

9. Sofia Yates's photo for Hannah Goldfield's "Tables For Two: Rolo's" (February 8, 2021);

10. Phyllis Ma's photo for Hannah Goldfield's "Tables For Two: The New Carry-Out Cuisine" (June 21, 2021).

Jerome Strauss's Exquisite "Cherry Trees"

Jerome Strauss, Cherry Trees, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (2021)

A special shout-out to Jerome Strauss for his exquisite “cherry trees” photo in the April 19, 2021 “Goings On About Town.”

This isn’t the first time Strauss’s work has appeared in the magazine. Four of his photos are featured in last year’s brilliant “April 15, 2020,” including this pink-blossomed beauty:

Jerome Strauss, 5:47 P.M., Upper East Side (2020)

Although there’s still another eight months to go before I post my “Best of 2021: Photos,” I have to say if I were picking that list now, Strauss’s wonderful “cherry trees” shot would be on it.