Educational

PetaPixel's editorials are in-depth stories, thought-pieces, and opinions on the photography industry led by the minds of our editorial team.

Journalism Versus Activism with a Camera

The context and process behind a photograph can be interesting on a technical level when it comes to the gear, film, lighting setup, and any artistic emotion or guidance that may have gone into it from a photographer with an interesting backstory to them.

How to Photograph Sand Dunes

How to Photograph Sand Dunes

It’s never a bad day to capture landscape photography on the dunes. This day, in particular though, was truly one to remember and I share a variety of techniques for how I take photos of sand dunes.

How to Photograph Bison in Yellowstone

Finding subjects for wildlife photography in summer is a challenge. As I look forward to arguably my favorite time of the year – the fall mating season for big mammals such as elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and so on – I first have to make it through the summer. Long days filled with harsh light provided by the sun directly overhead and heat, that unbearable heat.

Bortle 1: The Best Skies in the World for Astrophotography

To reveal the real colors of the night skies, you need to find good dark skies. The best sky quality for astrophotography is found in locations classified as Bortle Class 1 on the Bortle scale, which measures night sky brightness.

Mispronounced photography terms

The 10 Most Mispronounced Photography Terms

There are some tough photography-related words to pronounce, but which ones trip up the most photographers? SimpleGhar used the online pronunciation resource, Forvo, to find out. Which photo words did Forvo users look up the most?

How to photograph Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge: When and How to Photograph It in 2024

Twice each year, the setting Sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid, illuminating the north and south sides of every cross street on the island. The event, called "Manhattanhenge," delivers beautiful vibrant colors and, unsurprisingly, is a major draw to locals and tourists alike in New York City.

What is White Balance in Photography?

Although many photographers approach it in different ways, understanding white balance is a key to getting better at photography. Like other camera settings, it’s possible to have your camera set white balance automatically, but it doesn’t always produce the best results.

Lens Flare in Photography: A Complete Guide

Lens flare can appear as spots or streaks of light and color or as a washed-out hazy look in your photographs. Some photographers and filmmakers like to use it creatively, but it usually shows up as an unpleasant surprise that can ruin your picture.

Michael Shainblum Photo

Calming the Chaos: How to Photograph Overwhelming Landscape Locations

The American Southwest is an enchanting realm brimming with extraordinary shapes, mesmerizing textures, and captivating patterns. Amidst a symphony of vibrant colors and diverse textures, capturing the essence of such a place can initially feel overwhelming.

Art and A.I.: Debating the Definition of Creativity

We have all marveled at the latest imagery artificial intelligence (A.I.) produced. This remarkable technological tool enables the swift creation of imagery by providing the algorithm with concise textual prompts.

How to Record Electrical Discharges with a Digital Camera

The recording of the patterns made by static electricity date back to the invention of the technique in 1777 by Georg Lichtenberg. Since he was the first to observe the patterns they are referred to as Lichtenberg figures.

Stop Motion Hyperlapse tutorial

How to Make an Awesome Stop-Motion, Hyperlapse Video

Insta360 recently released the Insta360 Flow smartphone stabilizer, and it can do some amazing things for stop-motion video creation. However, users don't need the AI-powered Flow gimbal to take advantage of these awesome stop-motion and hyperlapse video tips.

Mirrors in Movies Video

Mirrors in Movies: How Filmmakers Make Cameras Disappear

When watching movies, some viewers like to look for errors, such as finding evidence of cameras and crew in the final cut of a film. One situation that should be ripe for spotting mistakes is when a scene includes mirrors and reflections. However, as YouTuber Paul E.T. shows in a pair of videos, filmmakers have incredible tricks to make cameras disappear.

Syrp Lab ISO video

A Deep Dive into ISO: How Variance and Dual Native ISO Affect Noise

"This is the ISO wheel on your camera, and sometimes, it does nothing," says Syrp Lab in its newest video. Syrp Lab takes a deep dive into ISO, explaining what it is, discussing Dual Native ISO and ISO variance, and providing the information people need to shoot the cleanest possible video.

Michael Shainblum Landscape

How To Properly Scout Locations To Get Gorgeous Landscape Photos

When I first started doing landscape photography, visiting new locations used to intimidate me a lot. I think part of me would feel the anxiety and pressure of needing to get a good shot, and oftentimes, I would not use the proper tools to set myself up for success.

Can a Photograph Change the World?

Portraying injustices is not something novel. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day, many photographers have been concerned about leaving their mark. But can we try to change the world – even make it a better place – through a photograph?

Chasing the Light at White Sands National Park

America’s national parks are a true source of pride. Each is unique in what it offers and this is certainly true of one of the more off-the-beaten-track parks.

The Rise and Fall of the Press Camera

If you were an aspiring photojournalist during most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, then your dream machine was likely not a Hasselblad, a Rolleiflex, a Leica, or any of the other vintage film cameras commonly cited as the most desirable collectibles nowadays.

Yevonde: An Introduction to the Woman Who Pioneered Color Photography

The National Portrait Gallery, London, reopens in June following a three-year closure for the “largest redevelopment” in its 127-year history. Its opening exhibition, Yevonde: Life and Colour, will be the most comprehensive to date on British photographer, Yevonde Middleton (1893-1975).