With millions of images being shared on the Internet every day, it takes a certain measure of magic to become a viral hit. We always keep one finger on the Web pulse (more than a quarter of Facebook’s Most Shared Articles in 2011 came from Yahoo!), so now we bring you 10 photos that online users could not help but circulate this year, from a shuttle launch to a giant crocodile and a presidential gaffe. A couple of these photos even spawned their own memes, the highest honor in 2011 viral visuals.
Top Viral Photos of 2011
- Philippines’ giant crocodile
- Cyclops shark
- Vancouver riot kiss
- Atlantis shuttle launch
- Earthquake bride
- Bubble lake
- Pepper spray at UC Davis
- Lightning strikes Eiffel Tower
- President Obama waves
- Whale nearly swallows diver
Carla Thorpe is a photo editor at Yahoo!, where she works on news and entertainment events, including award shows, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, movie premieres, the royal wedding, and the anniversary of 9/11. Carla has previous written for Saturday Night Magazine, Total Film, and HollywoodLife.com.