The National's best photographs of 2021

The National's picture editors pick the best photos taken by staff photographers in 2021

The world's deepest freshwater diving pool. The Deep Dive Dubai pool, which measures 60 metres at its deepest, offers divers a unique experience. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sunset at the Tal Mureeb dunes in the Empty Quarter desert, near Liwa Oasis. Victor Besa / The National

A woman feeds birds on a foggy day in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A child enjoying a spectacular water feature at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Red Arrows put on a show at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The sun sets on mangrove forests on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Sport at Kite Beach on a late Dubai evening. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A young boy waves the UAE flag from the dhow monument at the Corniche as part of the 50th National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Pigeons fly on the creek in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Anju Jacob takes a photo of her daughter Evelyn Dcruz, 5, at the flag garden near Kite Beach on the UAE’s 50th National Day in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks are set off from the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr. Victor Besa / The National

Two women photograph the view from Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Victor Besa / The National

Mariam Mohammed Al Kabi, Sameha Ahmed Al Kabi, Nadia Khalifa Al Shamsi and Ateeja Al Mherbi, artisans at the Women's Handicraft Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A flyover before the final race of the Formula One season at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National

Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of the Maldives and President of the UN General Assembly, in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visit to Zabeel Stables with Tadhg O’Shea, the nine-time UAE champion rider who has been named the first jockey of Zabeel Stables. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers attend the Eid prayers at the Umm Suquim Eid prayer grounds. Antonie Robertson / The National

Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The official opening of Ain Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ali Mabkhout of the UAE tussles with Kushedya Hari Yudo of Indonesia in the World Cup qualifier at the Zabeel Stadium, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman takes a picture of the Mobility Pavilion on the 11th day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A blue and gold macaw with biologist Elizabeth Hill at the Green Planet in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors to Dubai Creek Harbour enjoy the sunset on the longest day of the year in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan recipes for Eid. Victor Besa / The National

Arabian carpet sharks’ egg shells in Atlantis, The Palms, where the hotel fosters aquatic life born in the property's aquarium. Antonie Robertson / The National

The buried 'ghost' village of Al Madam, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai company, Terraplus, is using underground technology to water palm trees, which it claims could save up to around a trillion litres of water each year in the UAE if widely adopted by date farmers. Antonie Robertson / The National

Early morning fog in Al Badayer desert, in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Families visit Abu Dhabi's salt lake flats at sunset. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Momolog designs at Dubai Modest Fashion Week, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men practise falconry in the desert at Exit 55, Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

Anglers fish in the fog at Yas Iron Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A Boeing 777-X at the Dubai Airshow 2021. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jubail Mangrove Park on a Monday during dusk. Victor Besa / The National

Children playing cricket in a car park in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Aura skypool, the world’s first 360 degree infinity pool, opens at the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Mohamed Ramadan at the All Africa Festival, Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Kenya and USA face off in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens series in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sultan Al Shamsi with children, Noora, 4 and Rashid, 3. Victor Besa / The National

The sun rises on a hazy morning along the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The National

Best original photography from ‘The National’, November 2021 — in pictures

Best original photography from ‘The National’, October 2021 — in pictures

Best original photography from ‘The National’, September 2021 — in pictures

Best original photography from The National, August 2021 — in pictures

Twelve images capturing the best original photography shot for 'The National' in July

Sixteen images capturing the best original photography for 'The National' in June

Fifteen images capturing the best original photography shot for 'The National' in May

Updated: December 13, 2021, 12:20 PM