Inspiration

The image is split: on the left, small colorful boats float on dark water; on the right, a red-and-white barn sits in a snowy landscape with mountains and a wooden fence under a partly cloudy sky.

A Landscape Photographer’s Dilemma: Should I Capture Locations or Unique Compositions?

It’s 7:30 PM. Sunset begins in Marblehead and a full moon starts to rise, right over the cast iron skeletal structured lighthouse, built in 1896. I’m standing next to several other photographers at Fort Sewall -- a great vantage point to view the lighthouse from -- and we all have our lenses pointed in exactly the same direction. Same spot. Same composition.

An astronaut in an orange suit holds a trophy labeled "ca 2025 Award of Excellence," with a blue sky and clouds reflected in the helmet's visor.

Blair Bunting’s U-2 Photo Shoot Won CommArts 2025, So He Sent the Award Back to Space

Winning the Communication Arts Photography Annual is never a solo achievement. The truth is, behind every great image stands a community; mentors who took the time to teach, assistants who stepped in when it mattered most, and a crew that believed in the vision. A photographer’s journey is built on the shoulders of many, and this year’s honor means more to me than ever before.

A black cat with white speckles and a white chest is shown in three poses on a white background: looking up, facing forward, and lying curled on its side. The cat has yellow eyes and looks curious.

Photographer Turns ‘Star’-Covered Cat Into Animal-Saving Sensation

Last year, photographer Greg Murray came across a cat named Gatsby, who, due to a medical condition, looks like he's covered in a constellation of stars. Murray then captured charming portraits of Gatsby the Galaxy Cat, creating a calendar that raises money to help rescue animals in need. Not all heroes wear capes, but some wear furry stars.

A large shark swims near the ocean floor while a scuba diver observes from a distance in the background, surrounded by blue water and rocky terrain.

Underwater Filmmaker Gets Up Close and Personal With Sharks

Sharks Up Close With Bertie Gregory premiered yesterday on National Geographic and is streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu. The series follows the world-renowned wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer as he travels to South Africa to search for one of Earth's most feared predators, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). PetaPixel chatted with the show's cinematographer, underwater filmmaking specialist Dan Beecham.

A gallery wall displays vibrant, abstract art in vivid colors under the title "William Mortea_Trichromatic Vision." Paintings include colorful, textured and psychedelic imagery on white and black walls.

New Exhibit Showcases Experimental Color Photography

Today, the Mad Hatter Gallery in Las Cruces opens "Trichromatic Vision," a new solo photography exhibit by artist Bill Morée that blends experimental technique with a deep inquiry into human perception. Known for his work in political and documentary photography, Morée’s latest project represents a shift, both geographic and artistic, toward a more introspective and sensory-focused exploration of image-making.

A triptych image of vibrant fireworks in the night sky over a city skyline, featuring bursts of red, blue, green, and gold above buildings, water, and a crowd on a lit walkway.

5 Creative Fireworks Photography Techniques for Dazzling, One-of-a-Kind Shots

No matter what skill level you're at, PetaPixel has educational guides to help you create vivid, masterful fireworks photographs. This how-to offers five creative fireworks photography techniques to elevate your shots beyond the basics, including a Grand Finale trick perfect for capturing unique, expressive images that stand out from the crowd.

A digital triptych features abstract, layered forms with soft earthy colors, circular shapes, and translucent leaves, blending to create a dreamy, ethereal effect across three panels.

The Abstract World of David Day’s Studio ICM Photography

David Day’s photography bends the rules of reality, transforming everyday objects into dreamlike abstractions through intentional camera movement (ICM) in a studio setting. At the crux of art and experimentation, Day spoke with PetaPixel, inviting viewers to discover his process and how he turns layers of light, motion, and imagination into photographic art.

A vibrant, abstract burst of colors including teal, pink, orange, and white, radiating outward from a central bright point, resembling an explosion or a firework viewed through a soft, dreamy lens.

Photographer Beautifully ‘Breaks the Rules’ With Abstract Fireworks Photos

When we think of fireworks, most of us picture familiar, vibrant bursts of color lighting up the night sky, each explosion a momentary spectacle in a blossom of color. But for photographer Bryan Szucs, fireworks aren’t just about capturing a fleeting display, they’re a chance to defy convention and create something abstract, unpredictable, and uniquely beautiful.

A collage with three images: a close-up of a puma in black and white; two scuba divers in wetsuits smiling, holding gear labeled "SeaLegacy"; and a vibrant underwater scene with a school of colorful fish.

How Love for Earth and Each Other Fuel Photographers Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen

Conservation and nature photography power couple Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen are the focus of the first episode of National Geographic's 2024 nature documentary series, Photographer. The episode won an Emmy this week for Outstanding Nature Documentary, demonstrating not only the compelling nature of the duo's photography but also the widespread appeal of their incredible stories.

Darth Vader wields a red lightsaber in a dramatic, smoky scene with stormtroopers and other figures in the background, illuminated by red and blue lighting.

Photographer Brings Action Figures to Life as Cinematic Masterpieces

When it comes to photography, Alex Bain has carved a unique niche for himself in the world of toy photography. From capturing dramatic battles between Star Wars characters to bringing to life sci-fi and horror figures, his work has captivated audiences by blending cinematic techniques with the playful nature of toys.

The image shows a view of Earth from space with a shadow dividing day and night, overlaid with a "20" and the text "Google Earth," celebrating Google Earth's 20th anniversary.

Google Earth Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Historical Street View

Google Earth has transformed the way people explore and understand the world from its viral launch to its role in scientific discovery and environmental planning. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Google Earth looks back at some of the most significant moments in its history and highlights how it remains an essential tool for millions worldwide.

Rows of open drawers display organized collections of colorful butterflies and insects in a museum or scientific archive, with black storage cabinets lining both sides of the aisle.

Smithsonian to Photograph 200,000 Insects With Custom Conveyor System

In an ambitious effort to preserve and study insect pollinators, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History is launching a groundbreaking project to digitize 200,000 specimens in just one year. This extraordinary task, which involves some of the world’s largest insect pollinator collections, is being made possible with the help of a custom-built conveyor system. Once completed, the project will offer unprecedented access to these vital species, contributing to ongoing conservation and research efforts worldwide.

A collage of three artistic photos: a person silhouetted against a city view, a double exposure of a photographer and urban buildings, and the Statue of Liberty next to a person holding a camera.

Lomography Launches Travel Guides for Globetrotting Photographers

In an age of Instagram-perfect itineraries and AI-generated bucket lists, Lomography is offering something refreshingly human: Lomo Travel Guides, a newly launched collection of city adventures curated not by algorithms but by analog-loving explorers from its global community. Although catered toward film photographers, all photographers can benefit from the new travel guides.

On the left, a vintage film camera with its lens cover open. On the right, a black-and-white photo of a musician playing an electric guitar on stage under bright lights.

Concert Photography with a 1950s Folding Rangefinder

Most concert venues do not allow interchangeable lens cameras into shows without special permission. But this simple means of distinguishing unauthorized professional photography and unstoppable casual snapshooting can invite creative photographers to blur the boundaries between these types of photography with unlikely cameras.

Split image: Left, a Steller’s sea eagle with its beak open, surrounded by snow. Right, a small lizard sits on the head of a large iguana, both basking in sunlight.

The Funniest Photos So Far in the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

With just one month left before the entry period closes in this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards photo contest, the event organizers are sharing a selection of the best brand-new entries to date to help spur more photographers to throw their hats in the ring. The hilarious entries include a tiny waving lizard, a stylish rhino, and much more.