Pictures We Love: Best of November

Design Within Reach
Photograph by Heather Liebensohn, My Shot
Themed for the occasion, a mehndi design—also known as a henna tattoo—embellishes the hands of a bride in this picture submitted to National Geographic's My Shot photo community on November 7.
Why We Love It
"I'm a huge fan of the symmetry in this photograph, the natural design formed by the henna pattern on the woman's hands and the line down the center of the dress. I've seen dozens of photos of hands painted with henna, and this one is just so perfectly simple and elegant, even with the intricately detailed yet monotone dress as background."—Katel LeDu, director of photography
"The image is captivating due to its strong symmetry and colors. The gold harmonizes beautifully with the warm shades of red and gives the impression of elegance."—Amina El Banayosy, photo intern
—Korena Di Roma
Published December 4, 2012
Sweet 15
Photograph by Silvia Izquierdo, AP
Crowns, frills, and the pink interior of a limousine help to usher girls turning 15 into adulthood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 8.
For young women, the 15th birthday is an important milestone in many Latin American countries, often celebrated with elaborate parties. Here the destination is a group debutante ball organized by the Peacemaker Police Unit program in the city's Mangueira favela.
(How do steamy soap operas contribute to Brazil's "girl power"? With photos.)
Why We Love It
"This photograph is really fun, with its pops of color and the girls' expressions. You can almost feel their nervous boredom as they travel to their big event. The framing has a nice geometric feel, with the limousine windows dividing it up into quadrants."—Janna Dotschkal, associate photo editor
"In their dresses, the girls look like princesses. The exciting pink lights add to this fantasy."—Amina El Banayosy, photo intern
Published December 4, 2012
Bike on a Train
Photograph by Kevin Frayer, AP
A man stands with his bike on a local train in New Delhi, India, on November 8.
(See more photos of India by National Geographic fans.)
Why We Love It
"This image is multilayered in both composition and story. The eye wanders around the frame, going from the haunting, blurred woman in the foreground to the smoking man in the back. The subjects seem lost in thought, consumed by their individual stories and yet connected to each other by the larger story of mankind."—Monica Corcoran, senior photo editor
Published December 4, 2012
Kamchatka Cave
Photograph by Denis Budkov, My Shot
During winter in Kamchatka, Russia, snow that accumulates over streams never thaws completely, photographer Denis Budkov wrote with his submission to My Shot on November 18. Snow caves form as a result.
"The thickness of snow in this place reaches six meters [20 feet] and [has the] layers of four seasons," Budkov said.
(Explore the remote Kamchatka Peninsula with photos from National Geographic magazine.)
Why We Love It
"The slick-looking surface of the glacier is accentuated by the red light and is juxtaposed with the rocky, dark ground. This image is a wonderful illustration of texture." —Amina El Banayosy, photo intern
Published December 4, 2012
Out to Dry
Photograph by Ilya Naymushin, Reuters
Newly painted holiday decorations dry on a rack at a factory in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on November 27. (See photos of Russia.)
Why We Love It
"There's no doubt this image is attention-grabbing. The reflections of the factory lights on the freshly painted glass ornaments immediately catch your eye, balanced perfectly by the subdued gray and blue tones of the background. Because of the angle at which the image was shot, the rows of holiday decorations look like they could continue forever into the background." —Ben Fitch, associate photo editor
"I'm so used to seeing these glass spheres hanging on Christmas trees that it's particularly exciting to see how they're produced. Their color is fascinating. It looks as if they might be glowing charcoals." —Amina El Banayosy, photo intern
Published December 4, 2012
Hounded to Death
Photograph by Alain Jocard, AFP/Getty Images
Hunters and hounds surround their kill during a stag hunt near Amboise, France, on November 3.
Accompanied by horn calls and wrapped up with ceremony, the centuries-old tradition of stag hunting with hounds continues to be a popular, if controversial, sport in France.
Why We Love It
"This image captures a scene much as it would have looked a hundred years ago. The mist rising behind the fallen stag as the hunters and their hounds rest after the excitement of the chase adds to the romantic and timeless quality of this image." —Ben Fitch, associate photo editor
Published December 4, 2012
Shattered Window
Photograph by Menahem Kahana, AFP/Getty Images
A man covers a shattered window following a rocket attack in the southern Israeli town of Netivot on November 12.
Militants fired the rockets from the Gaza Strip and into southern Israel during the four-day attack, according to the Reuters news service. Conflict between Israel and Gaza escalated following border clashes earlier in the month.
(Read about life and death in Gaza's tunnels in the December 2012 issue of National Geographic.)
Why We Love It
"The color palette and mood in this photo is subtle: The orange light contrasts against a gray sky and drab building exterior. The photographer managed to capture a moment that utilizes subtle body language and meaning to tell the story of the conflict in Gaza. Through the broken windows, we can see a home that used to have normalcy—chandelier, pictures on the walls, and checkered curtains." —Janna Dotschkal, associate photo editor
Published December 4, 2012
Women in Red
Photograph by Ed Jones, AFP/Getty Images
Hostesses embrace against the cold in Beijing's Tiananmen Square as delegates arrive at the Great Hall of the People for the closing session of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China on November 14.
The party installed new leadership during the weeklong congress, with Vice President Xi Jinping taking over the party's reins from outgoing President Hu Jintao, according to Reuters.
Why We Love It
"This portrait of a charming moment caught my eye because it almost seems as though the hostesses took the opportunity, while embracing to warm up, to also share a secret or two. To me, their red hats and uniforms indicate that they are part of not only a team, but also a kind of sisterhood. It struck me as a reminder of my own cherished relationships with female friends."—Katel LeDu, director of photography
Published December 4, 2012
Tiny Victim
Photograph by Qais Usyan, AFP/Getty Images
The family of a five-year-old Afghan girl, victim of an alleged rape by a 22-year-old man, sits at her hospital bedside in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, on November 12. News agencies reported that the assailant, a neighbor, was later detained by police.
(Read about the continued struggle of women in Afghanistan in National Geographic magazine.)
Why We Love It
"The perspective and stark lighting reinforce how small and defenseless this little girl is—her body engulfed by the bed and blankets, with only her feet showing. The bedframe appears to trap her and her family, just as they are trapped in this cycle of violence."—Monica Corcoran, senior photo editor
"This image has a symbolic quality. The light draws our attention immediately to the girl. We see, however, nothing to identify her. It could be any girl who is lying there. Her family at her bedside and their facial expressions indicate that rape affects not only the victim. Overall, this image shows the universality of human suffering."—Amina El Banayosy, photo intern
Published December 4, 2012
Light in the Storm
Photograph by Matthew Ferri
Vehicle lights streak an otherwise dark street in Manhattan during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in this picture submitted to National Geographic's Your Shot on November 5. (See photos of the storm's aftermath.)
According to the photographer, who spent hours exploring the dark streets, "the main source of light in the city came from first responder vehicles, food carts fighting the cold, and flashlights from dedicated pet owners."
(Related photos: "Storm Turns Iconic Sites Ghostly.")
Why We Love It
"I like that the photographer chose to capture this scene using a long exposure. The resulting effect creates a clear juxtaposition between the dark quiet of the monolithic buildings and the vibrancy of people continuing to go about their lives." —Alexa Keefe, photography producer
Published December 4, 2012
See Our Favorite Pictures From October
Photograph by Asif Hassan, AFP/Getty Images
Published December 4, 2012