Features

PetaPixel's Features are in-depth, heavily researched stories designed to answer the most important questions on a topic. Where we flex our journalistic muscle, expect to find the best storytelling and original reporting the photo industry offers.

Photographer Captures the Neon Beauty of Kyoto at Night

Photographer Xavier Portela’s shots of Kyoto, Japan, at night give a newfound appreciation for the neon charm of the city. Propelled by his vision to articulate and illustrate the various sounds, temperatures, and pulsating electricity of bustling cities, Portela’s images stir the imagination and set stories of intrigue and possibility adrift.

Route 66

An Uncropped View of the Mother Road: True-Life Images of Route 66

The nostalgia-inducing, expansive roadway known as Route 66 has been a pop culture darling in the U.S. for decades. But in photographer Jeff Sonnabend’s latest photo series and upcoming book, The Route 66 Primer, An Uncropped View of the Mother Road, viewers are left with an alternatively more grounded and realistic view of the renowned roadway.

Photographer Finds Ultra Rare Stieglitz Prints Hiding at Estate Sale

In December 2021, photographer Jeff Sedlik bid on an old, faded, framed print at an estate sale in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Upon receiving it, he immediately opened the frame to examine the photo. To his amazement and delight, two identical prints were inside, and both turned out to be extremely rare classic platinum prints by Alfred Stieglitz.

Mike Coots

Photographer Mike Coots Captures the Spellbinding Gaze of Wild Sharks

Photographing the fiercely intense yet beautifully captivating essence of sharks are just a few of shark advocate Mike Coots's many delights and ambitions. In his latest images from a trip off Guadalupe Island, Mexico, Coots skillfully manages to interpret aspects of the animals that are often misconstrued or feared due to negative portrayals in media.

Fares-Micue

Dreamlike Photos Examine Mental Health and Perceptions of Reality

The exploration of dreams, thoughts, and possibilities are hallmark traits of conceptual self-portrait photographer Fares Micue. The mesmeric and otherworldly concepts presented in each of her shots not only captivate the eyes but stir a kind of whimsical intrigue into the story behind the images.

Retouching-Photos-with-A-SteamDeck

Can You Edit Photos on a Steam Deck?

A little over a year ago, Valve announced a handheld gaming PC called the Steam Deck. In February of 2022, those who pre-ordered the device started to receive the handheld devices which have since had a huge impact on the gaming world. But what if you could do more than just play video games on the Steam Deck? What if it could run Lightroom or Photoshop? Would it be possible to edit photos on it?

Ballet on Film

The Story of a Ballet School and the Pandemic Told Through a Yashica 635

When gazing at the photo series Ballet on Film by photographer Lisa Cho, it's natural to become enraptured by its charming conveyance of elegance, perseverance, and depth. The self-taught photographer -- who began her career in her 30s -- aims to translate her love of cinema and "beauty" through the lens of her treasured Yashica 635.