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.
A hand with a tattoo holds a Polaroid camera printing a photo of a smiling person. Blue handwritten text on the left reads, “The camera for an analog life.”.

Polaroid Aims to Capitalize on Growing Demand for Photographic Authenticity

In an age increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, endless scrolling, and digital fatigue, Polaroid is making a stand. The company’s newest marketing campaign, “The Camera for an Analog Life,” signals more than just the launch of its newest instant camera, the Polaroid Flip; it reflects and aims to monetize a broader cultural pushback against the ubiquity of screens and the exhaustion that comes with them.

A hand holding a smartphone displaying the TikTok logo, with a blurred United States flag in the background.

TikTok Is Reportedly Making a US-Specific Version of Its App

A little over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that a group of "very wealthy people" would buy TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, a new report suggests that TikTok is developing a new version of its app specifically for users in the United States.

Three smartphones display an astronomy app interface, each showing vibrant images of nebulae, star details, and user comments against a dark background. The screens highlight colorful space photography and app features.

Picastro Is Social Media for Astrophotographers

Astrophotographers are a passionate bunch, and they now have a new dedicated social media and web platform to share their work, find inspiration, and learn how to improve their craft. Picastro is all about showcasing genuine astronomy images from astrophotographers worldwide, whether they are beginners or seasoned pros.

A book titled "100 Leica Stories" with a black cover featuring monochrome, partially visible images of three people, including one holding a camera, against a plain background.

Leica Marks 100 Years of Its Most Iconic Moments With New Photobook

Leica, a name synonymous with photographic excellence, marks a monumental milestone this year, celebrating 100 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and artistry. To honor this enduring legacy, the new book "100 Leica Stories" offers an extensive look into the history, culture, and unparalleled impact of the Leica camera.

A close-up of a phone displaying the TikTok logo in white on a dark background. In the blurred background, there is an indistinct image of a person wearing a suit and red tie.

Trump Gives TikTok Yet Another Lifeline

As expected, President Donald Trump will extend TikTok's sale deadline for the third time, giving the popular social media app yet another lengthy reprieve to comply with the law.

Side-by-side portraits of two women: one with long, blonde, wavy hair and glamorous makeup, and the other with a short, straight blonde bob, natural makeup, and wearing a sparkly top.

Why is Pamela Anderson Not Allowed to Age?

We have all seen the online drama and hate that has been thrown at the recent photographs of Pamela Anderson, age 57. This Canadian-American actress, model, and media personality has been the center of attention for nearly four decades.

A man wearing glasses and a suit jacket, shown in black and white, looks upward with a contemplative expression. The background is dark, creating dramatic lighting on his face and hair.

The Cameras and Creativity That Brought the First Feature-Length Film on Apple Vision Pro to Life

As immersive video content becomes a prominent way to tell visual stories, talented visual artists like Elad Offer not only face greater challenges, but they have fresh new possibilities to deliver something the world has never seen before. One such example is Bono: Stories of Surrender, a new film available in both 2D and immersive versions, marking the first feature-length Apple Immersive Video film for the Apple Vision Pro headset. Offer was the film's Creative Director, tasked with making both 2D and immersive versions the best they can be for two very different mediums.

A serious-looking older man with light skin, grayish-blond hair, and blue eyes wears a dark blue suit, white shirt, and red tie with a small American flag pin on his lapel, against a dark blurred background.

Trump Has a New Presidential Portrait

The White House unveiled a new portrait of President Donald Trump this week. The official portrait depicts the President in a blue suit with a red tie set against a very dark background.

Modern building with a striking, curved facade made of horizontal black slats, partially lifted at one corner to reveal glass windows and an entrance below. Urban surroundings with trees and neighboring structures.

South Korea Opens Its First Public Museum Dedicated to Photography

South Korea has unveiled its first public museum dedicated entirely to photography, marking a significant milestone for the country’s cultural landscape. The Photography Seoul Museum of Art, a new addition to Seoul Museum of Art’s network, officially opened on May 29 in Dobong-gu, a district in northern Seoul.

A vintage film camera is shown on the left, and an older man with gray hair wearing a suit is smiling on the right, with a soft green background behind him.

David Lynch’s Personal Camera Gear is Up for Auction

When acclaimed director David Lynch passed away earlier this year, he left behind not only a filmmaking legacy, but one that dramatically impacted photographers. Now David Lynch fans can purchase hundreds of his items, including cameras, an espresso machine, screenplays, and much more.

Three newspaper sports covers show a basketball player in a yellow jersey looking shocked or distressed, with bold headlines like "COLLAPSE!", "CHOKE 2.0", and "CHOKE'S ON KNICKS" about the Knicks losing a big game.

Viral NBA Choke Photo Shows How History Repeats Itself

The widely published choke-gesture photo from the NBA playoffs showcases the enduring power of a single image to capture and ignite sports passion. In this case, the photographer had line of sight for a second to make the photo.

Three scenes show groups of photographers taking pictures of people in traditional Vietnamese outfits: two women in fog, a person arranging colorful mats, and a woman in white by a yellow wall and blue window.

How to Start Your Very Own Photo Tour in Vietnam (No Skills Required!)

So… you’ve got a decent following on social media, and you’re looking to cash in? Want to travel for free, get all your expenses covered, and “grow” your portfolio without doing much? Do you want to run your own photography tour, which will make you shine like a famous and successful travel photographer?