Features | PetaPixel https://petapixel.com/topic/features/ Photography and Camera News, Reviews, and Inspiration Fri, 22 May 2026 13:44:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 191656271 Student Captures Cosmic Radiation on Film by Sending Negative to Space https://petapixel.com/2026/05/24/student-captures-cosmic-radiation-on-film-by-sending-negative-to-space/ Sun, 24 May 2026 11:00:02 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855816 A small black satellite with “AUB” on its fin orbits above Earth’s blue surface; beside it, a vibrant abstract image features swirling light and colors, evoking space or energy.

A photography student sent a 5x4 color negative into space on April 19 and exposed it to cosmic radiation, capturing a beautiful, abstract portrait of space unlike anything done before.

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]]> 855816 The Enduring Mystery Behind Iconic American Photograph ‘Lunch on a Beam’ https://petapixel.com/2026/05/23/the-enduring-mystery-behind-iconic-american-photograph-lunch-on-a-beam/ Sat, 23 May 2026 15:00:44 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855560 A black-and-white photo shows a photographer standing on a steel beam with a camera, and a group of construction workers sitting on a beam, eating lunch above New York City. The Empire State Building is visible in the background.

A new book explores the untold and still-mysterious story of the many people behind one of America’s most iconic photographs Lunch on a Beam -- and the lingering question of who actually took the famed image.

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]]> 855560 The Hidden World of Insect Wings Revealed by Macro Photographer https://petapixel.com/2026/05/23/the-hidden-world-of-insect-wings-revealed-by-photographer/ Sat, 23 May 2026 12:00:05 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855568 A split image showing close-ups: shimmering green and yellow sequins on the left, textured pink and orange fibers in the center, and crinkled metallic purple foil on the right, all with striking lighting and detail.

A photographer uses lighting and special equipment to capture something not usually seen by the human eye: the intricate patterns, texture, and color found on insect wings.

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]]> 855568 Cannes Photographer Reveals His Trick of Getting Hollywood Stars to Look at His Camera https://petapixel.com/2026/05/22/cannes-photographer-reveals-his-trick-of-getting-hollywood-stars-to-look-at-his-camera/ Fri, 22 May 2026 10:48:52 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855808 A man in a tuxedo gestures to his forehead while speaking outside on a red carpet, with large red stairs and a few people in the background.

Perhaps nowhere else in the world are photographers as much a part of the spectacle as they are at Cannes Film Festival. Huddled shoulder to shoulder in black tuxedos, they don’t just document the glamor of Cannes -- they help create it.

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]]> 855808 Photographer Waits Four Years to Capture Stunning Image of Coyote Mid-Air Over Ice https://petapixel.com/2026/05/21/photographer-waits-four-years-to-capture-stunning-image-of-coyote-mid-air-over-ice/ Thu, 21 May 2026 12:29:23 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855347 A coyote leaps across a narrow, icy stream surrounded by snow, with a snowy landscape and distant mountains in the background.

A photographer captured a breathtaking image of a coyote leaping across a gap in the ice after years of patient fieldwork.

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]]> 855347 Disturbing Video of Tourist Posing With Tiger in Thailand Exposes Dark Photo Trend https://petapixel.com/2026/05/20/disturbing-video-of-tourist-posing-with-tiger-in-thailand-exposes-dark-photo-trend/ Wed, 20 May 2026 17:33:18 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855380 Two people in hats and casual clothes stand beside a tiger, gently holding its head and paw. A third person sits cross-legged on the ground in front of the tiger, looking calm. The scene is outdoors with greenery in the background.

A video on X showing a behind-the-scenes video of a photo shoot at Tiger World Thailand has gone viral and highlighted a serious problem in the country.

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]]> 855380 Photographer Larry Chen Stars in the New Forza Horizon Racing Game https://petapixel.com/2026/05/19/photographer-larry-chen-stars-in-the-new-forza-horizon-racing-game/ Tue, 19 May 2026 15:56:43 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=855181 Split image: Left, a sleek gray Lamborghini speeds down a scenic, pink-hued road. Right, a person stands with raised arms inside a circular chamber filled with numerous cameras pointing inward.

Canon Explorer of Light and famed car and car culture photographer Larry Chen is a major character in the brand-new racing video game, Forza Horizon 6.

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]]> 855181 Exhibition Marks 70 Years Since Gordon Parks’ Landmark Segregation Photos Published in ‘Life’ Magazine https://petapixel.com/2026/05/16/exhibition-marks-70-years-since-gordon-parks-landmark-segregation-photos-published-in-life-magazine/ Sat, 16 May 2026 13:00:02 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=854861 Left: An elderly Black couple stands together outdoors near flowering trees. Right: Black children and adults wait at a counter labeled "WHITE ONLY" outside an ice cream shop. A sign above reads "ICE MILK SOLD HERE.

An exhibition commemorates the 70th anniversary of the landmark publication of Gordon Parks’ color images of the segregated South in Life magazine

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]]> 854861 Photographer Speaks Up After Pro Soccer Player Erases Photo Watermark https://petapixel.com/2026/05/14/photographer-speaks-up-after-pro-soccer-player-erases-photo-watermark/ Thu, 14 May 2026 11:56:55 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=854561 A soccer player wearing a navy blue jersey with the number 9 stands on a field with his hands behind his head during an evening match. Buildings and other players are visible in the background.

A sports photographer was praised for speaking up after a pro soccer player removed his photo watermark and shared the image with his huge Instagram following.

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]]> 854561 Filmmaker Flies His Drone and Discovers Abandoned ‘Ghost’ Village https://petapixel.com/2026/05/12/filmmaker-flies-his-drone-and-discovers-abandoned-ghost-village/ Tue, 12 May 2026 15:16:27 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=854104 A cluster of rustic buildings with red roofs and weathered walls sits in a rural landscape at sunset, surrounded by fields and hills under a warm, glowing sky.

A filmmaker flew his drone and discovered an eerie village which was mysteriously abandoned over a decade ago.

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]]> 854104 Photographing Hokkaido: The Japan North of Tokyo That Most People Never See https://petapixel.com/2026/05/09/photographing-hokkaido-the-japan-north-of-tokyo-that-most-people-never-see/ Sat, 09 May 2026 14:01:42 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853696 A collage of three photos: an elderly man uses an ATM, a modern apartment building against a blue sky, and an elderly woman smiles at a table with covered dishes.

In March, Jaron Schneider and I traveled to Japan for press coverage at the CP+ photo and imaging show in Yokohama. After four days covering the show, we had a decision to make: go home, or continue the trip and head somewhere else. So, we decided to go north.

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]]> 853696 Photographer Spends Night on Freezing Mountain to Capture Rare Triple Galaxy Arch https://petapixel.com/2026/05/08/photographer-spends-night-on-freezing-mountain-to-capture-rare-triple-galaxy-arch/ Fri, 08 May 2026 14:01:42 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853548 Snow-covered mountain peaks under a dark sky with bright, colorful arcs resembling galaxies and nebulae, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.

Few people get to see the full splendor of the Milky Way Galaxy arch -- even fewer get to see the summer and winter arms in the same night.

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]]> 853548 As David Attenborough Turns 100, Watch His Greatest Moments on YouTube https://petapixel.com/2026/05/08/as-david-attenborough-turns-100-watch-his-greatest-moments-on-youtube/ Fri, 08 May 2026 11:38:18 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853516 An older man with white hair sits on rocks at the edge of a clear blue sea, wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt and light pants. The sky is sunny with a few clouds, and a beach with trees is visible in the background.

Happy Birthday to David Attenborough. The legendary naturalist turns 100 today. Few people have done more to educate the world about wildlife and conservation.

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]]> 853516 This Hand-Painted, Gundam-Themed Film Camera is a Nerdy Work of Art https://petapixel.com/2026/05/07/this-hand-painted-gundam-themed-film-camera-is-a-nerdy-work-of-art/ Thu, 07 May 2026 20:18:56 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853441 A close-up of a retro-style camera with yellow, blue, and red geometric elements on a gray body, placed on a dark surface with white and blue text and graphic designs.

Late last year, a friend of mine shared a link to a small creator on Instagram who was making something that combined two of my hobbies: cameras and Gundam. I was immediately on board.

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]]> 853441 Husband and Wife are the Only People in The World Producing Film in Their Basement https://petapixel.com/2026/05/07/husband-and-wife-are-the-only-people-in-the-world-producing-film-in-their-basement/ Thu, 07 May 2026 10:39:10 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853178 A grayscale negative image of a row of buildings is on the left. On the right, two smiling people hold a strip of photographic film in a studio, one wearing a "Scully Osterman Studio" name tag.

A husband-and-wife team is producing their own 1920s-era film, similar to the one Oskar Barnack used, in the "world's smallest film factory", which they intend to shoot using a 100-year-old Leica camera.

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]]> 853178 Photographer Captures Fireflies and Rare Lightning in Dazzling Image https://petapixel.com/2026/05/06/photographers-epic-journey-to-capture-stunning-image-of-rare-lightning-sprite/ Wed, 06 May 2026 17:04:01 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=853123 A dramatic sunset sky over a rocky landscape with scattered trees, glowing fireflies, and streaks of red sprites illuminating the night clouds and starry sky above.

A photographer has revealed the journey he went on to capture an incredible photo of a rare form of lightning sprites.

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]]> 853123 The History of Autofocus: From Rangefinders to AI Subject Recognition https://petapixel.com/2026/05/05/the-history-of-autofocus-from-rangefinders-to-ai-subject-recognition/ Tue, 05 May 2026 20:57:44 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=852818 Six different cameras are arranged in a sequence with arrows between them, illustrating the evolution of camera design from older film models to modern digital cameras, on a blue grid background.

Autofocus is one of the great invisible revolutions in photography. When it works well, it disappears. A photographer raises the camera, half-presses the shutter, sees a box snap to an eye, a bird, a car, or a face, and the lens silently moves to the right position.

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]]> 852818 The Camera Crew All Wore Scrubs: The Amazing Logistics of Filming ‘The Pitt’ https://petapixel.com/2026/05/05/the-camera-crew-all-wore-scrubs-the-amazing-logistics-of-filming-the-pitt/ Tue, 05 May 2026 16:24:25 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=852926 Two people stand facing each other and talking in a busy hospital setting, surrounded by medical staff and camera crew filming the scene with professional equipment.

The Pitt on HBO Max is about as immersive as a TV show can be. Set in real time, with each episode representing an hour in the hectic lives of staff working at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center's emergency room, viewers can get lost in the working (and sometimes personal) lives of Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and his crew.

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]]> 852926 Photographer Brings Measuring Tape to Miami GP to Get Cameras Past Security https://petapixel.com/2026/05/05/photographer-brings-measuring-tape-to-miami-gp-to-get-cameras-past-security/ Tue, 05 May 2026 11:34:03 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=852901 A man in a red plaid shirt and overalls holds a yellow measuring tape, stretching it out horizontally with both hands against a white background.

Last week, PetaPixel reported that the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has strict rules on what cameras are allowed in -- so one photographer brought along a tape measure to prove that his gear was eligible for entry.

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]]> 852901 15 Mesmerizing Winners From the GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 https://petapixel.com/2026/05/04/15-mesmerizing-winners-from-the-gdt-nature-photographer-of-the-year-2026/ Mon, 04 May 2026 16:06:16 +0000 https://petapixel.com/?p=852724 On the left, a frog with its tongue out chases a butterfly in a lively, close-up shot. On the right, a black-and-white image shows a baby elephant nestled under an adult's trunk and leg.

Luca Lorenz has won the GDT (German Society for Nature Photography) Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 in its annual members' competition for his painterly photo of a mountain hare.

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