The National photographers' best pictures of 2022

From Cristiano Ronaldo at Expo to National Day celebrations, The National's staff photographers showcase their best shots of the year

• 

  Cloudy skies at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Art display at Burj Park in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Sunset at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi from the Dhow Harbour. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Sunset on the Corniche in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Khalfan Shifi Al Mansoori from Abu Dhabi with his falcon during the Fazza Falconry Championship 2022 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Sunmi at the K-pop concert in honour of Korea day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

• 

  The Taqa stand at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at Adnec. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Etihad Rail show progress on the passenger line and developments since last year. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  A morning walk along the Eastern Mangroves in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa /The National

• 

  Aerial view of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Phase 5 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Cristiano Ronaldo with fans after a Q&A session at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Gaia, a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, featured at Quoz Arts Fest 2022, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The Spiral of Light show at Sharjah Light Festival 2022 at University City Hall in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Prince William greats Expo visitors outside the UK Pavilion. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta after winning the Fifa Club World Cup at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The official opening of the Sharjah Safari park, the largest such operation in the world outside Africa. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Opening ceremony of the Museum of the Future in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  People celebrate Holi, or the Festival of Colours, at Jebel Shooting Club in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Fighters at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi training for the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Bahrain. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Country Grammer ridden by Frankie Dettori wins the Dubai World Cup at Meydan racecourse in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The Rashid Moon rover on display at the World Government Summit. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Air display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Astronomer Nezar Hezam Sallam during a Moon sighting for the start of Ramadan 2022 in Al Shahama. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  First morning prayers of Ramadan at Al Khayle mosque, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, marks the end of fasting on the first day of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Ramadan 2022. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Tyrannosaurus rex known as 'Stan'. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Michelangelo Pistoletto's installation, Labirinto e Grande Pozzo. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Abu Dhabi mixed martial arts fighter Bruno Machado. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Skyscrapers on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  People prepare for iftar at a mosque in Jebel Ali industrial site 1. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Decorations for Eid at the trade centre roundabout in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Families enjoying the Eid holidays on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Fireworks over Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Giant UAE flag at half mast when the death of President Sheikh Khalifa was announced. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  The Old town at night, Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Mikoko is a restaurant and cafe in the Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Hygrow hydroponic farm in Sharjah provides lettuce, herbs and other greens to hotels using vertical farming. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Ras Al Khaimah launches hot air balloon experience. Manar Mall, RAK. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  A strawberry moon over Al Salaam Majid in Al Barsha, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Gucci on the treadmill. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Mirek Struzik's Dandelions, one of many public sculptures in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Zarah Gladys, 6, shows off her skills at Xpark by Etisalat at Kite Beach, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Rasha Hina, owner of Arabian Star Stables, takes people swimming with horses in the sea in Umm Al Quwain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Flooding in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Flooded streets in Kalba, Sharjah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Takatof community service volunteers clear debris after heavy rainfall in Fujairah. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Flower Parent and Child, a sculpture by Takashi Murakami on Yas Bay Waterfront, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Alif, The Mobility Pavilion. Expo City Dubai opens. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Alif, The Mobility Pavilion. Expo City Dubai opens. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Dubai Expo City opened three of its pavilions to the public. This is the Vision Pavilion. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  The new Hindu temple at Jebel Ali, Dubai is a contemporary spiritual centre for all faiths. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee scores against the Atlanta Hawks in a pre-season game at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Abu Dhabi pupils set a Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Astronauts – 940. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Fontana, a travelling water circus produced by Cirque Du Liban, at Festival City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  D3, the design district in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  The first camel race for foreign residents at Al Marmoon in Dubai was over 1,500m. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Racing camels in the sea in Umm Al Quwain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  UAE Armed Forces train women cadets from Arab, African and Asian countries for UN peacekeeping missions. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Argentina train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi while preparing for the Fifa World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Red Arrows in formation over Abu Dhabi Corniche. Antonie Robertson/The National

• 

  Visitors on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Participants in the 10km and 5km Dubai Run 2022 on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Al Fursan aerial display team before the start of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Fire dancer Yasser at Not a Space Al Faya desert pop-up in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Andy Scott climbs the 123m flag pole with Trident Support on Flag island, Sharjah. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Dhow boats during the 51st National Day long weekend holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

• 

  Emirati wrestler Mohammed Saif, known as Shaheen, is the UAE’s first professional wrestler. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Launch of Aya, an 'entertainment experiential park' in Wafi Mall, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

More from The National:

The best photographs of 2022 - striking images of the world's biggest events

Messi, Djokovic, Usyk, Haaland, Nadal - 52 of the best sports images of 2022

What are your top investment regrets of 2022?

Some of the UAE’s top stories from 2022 (and a few you might have missed)

Celebrity Net Worth: Who ended 2022 as the world's richest entertainer?