New Year's revelers welcome 2012 with kisses—and mobile devices—in a picture taken in Los Angeles.

This photograph was one of the ten best new pictures from January, as chosen by National Geographic's digital media photo editors.

See more from January 2012 >>

Why We Love It

"I could make a sweeping statement about how this photo is a commentary on the way our relationships with technology supplant meaningful human interaction, but I'm drawn to this image for a far more visceral reason: I'd much rather be one of the people on the left than the guy on the right. And so would you."—Dawn Deeks, associate photo editor

"Bright and brash, the flash is what makes this image, highlighting youthful, sexy partygoers in contemporary life—simultaneously engaged and disengaged in a crowded room."—Sarah Polger, senior photo editor