Culture

Photography is about far more than capturing an image. How photos are shared and what social issues are impacting the profession are just as important. PetaPixel regularly covers the stories around the culture of photography, how it affects society, and what cultural changes affect the art.
Two vintage photographs side-by-side, each showing a baby held by a person completely obscured by a dark, draped cloth.

The Historic Practice of the Hidden Mother in Photography

The “Hidden Mother” is a genre of photography that has been practiced since the infancy of the photographic process. Many examples date back to 1839 and the daguerreotype. A shroud or sheet would be thrown over the adult in the composition, or the mother hid behind a cloaked chair. They used varied methods and had varying degrees of success, depending on what worked for the photographer and the sitter. Sometimes an adult stabilizing the child would be just out of frame, and the photographer …

A cartoon character with a camera and backpack walks through a field of flowers surrounded by floating polaroid photos.

Toem 2 Is a Cozy Adventure Video Game About Capturing Photos

Toem 2's developers, Swedish independent studio Something We Made, describes its new video game as a "wholesome adventure about taking photos." In the striking-looking black-and-white game, players grab their camera and set off into the world, tasked with making friends, exploring, and, of course, taking photos.

A man with short blond hair and light facial stubble looks to the side, wearing a black shirt, with a blurred dark background and circular lights behind him.

Another Coach Complains About Photographers at the World Cup

England national team coach Thomas Tuchel made headlines last week for two reasons. One, his team sailed to an easy 4-1 victory over European rival Croatia. And two, Tuchel complained about how the gaggle of photographers positioned between Tuchel and his players ruined a really important pre-game moment during England's national anthem. Another coach, German manager Julian Nagelsmann, is 100% on Tuchel's side.

A person with a light brown backpack stands in a white-walled gallery, looking at framed black-and-white photographs displayed on the walls. The floor has a geometric tile pattern.

Engaging With the Arts Slows Biological Aging

Researchers in the United Kingdom found that people who engage with the arts biologically age more slowly than those who do not. These results echo others over the years that show a correlation between exercising creative muscles and improved health outcomes.

A round pin with the Flickr logo in blue and pink text is centered in focus, with several blurred pins featuring the same colors in the background.

Flickr: The First and Last Great Photo Platform

As the global population of photographers swells, so do their digital libraries, leaving everyone with the same question: where and how to share their best work. Flickr was among the first online communities designed to address that dilemma, and it remains one of the best. Some demand sweeping overhauls or argue the price isn't justified.