Interviews

Interviews with photographers and photojournalists working at the forefront of their fields across a wide range of genres, from fine art to documentary to street to travel, and everything in between. PetaPixel allows photographers to share their experience, opinions, and insights to inform and inspire the global photography community.
X-ray style image showing an open camera on the left, an open laptop on the right, and a large "X" in the center filled with clocks and mechanical parts, all set against a black background.

Photographer’s Illuminating X-ray Exhibit Has Been Years in the Making

Exceptionally talented commercial and fine art photographer Andrei Duman has spent years working on his fantastic X-ray photo series. The series, Beyond the Surface: The Art of X-Rays, is now on display in a massive exhibit at the world-famous Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago. It is the culmination of years of dedicated work, and Duman spoke with PetaPixel about the honor and his project as a whole.

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.

A split image: on the left, a bearded man with glasses in black and white; on the right, a soldier holding a rifle standing in a snowy, muddy trench.

Ukrainian Photographer Maxim Dondyuk on Covering the Russo-Ukrainian War

Maxim Dondyuk (b.1983, Ukraine), winner of the W. Eugene Smith Grant, is a research-based photographer and artist who combines fieldwork, historical inquiry, and personal reflections with the medium of photography, video, text, and archival materials.

A split image: on the left, a bat hangs upside down from a branch; on the right, a honey badger walks on dry ground, looking directly at the camera.

Nat Geo’s ‘Underdogs’ Hilariously Celebrates Nature’s Unsung Animal Heroes

National Geographic's newest wildlife documentary series, Underdogs, celebrates nature's unsung heroes and adds a generous helping of humor thanks to Ryan Reynolds' narration. PetaPixel spoke to Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz, co-founders of Wildstar Films, about the new series and how evolving camera tech helps tell compelling nature stories in fresh new ways.

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.

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.

The image is split: on the left, a snowy alpine landscape with a wooden cabin and rugged mountains; on the right, a smiling man in sunglasses enjoys food and wine at a street-side deli counter in a sunny city.

How the New TV Series ‘Tucci In Italy’ Captures the Essence of Italy

Celebrated actor Stanley Tucci has racked up an impressive six Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes throughout his lengthy career. However, alongside his award-winning roles, he is also beloved for hosting travel and food series, the latest being Tucci in Italy with National Geographic, which premiered this week.

A collage of three portraits: an older man with long gray hair in a field, a woman with red hair holding a wine glass, and a smiling woman with long braids wearing colorful earrings and an orange top.

Capturing Portraits of Strangers Saved This Photographer’s Life

Adam Schluter is a self-described introvert who felt a deep longing to sidestep technology and get back to forging genuine, face-to-face connections with people. So, he picked up his camera and began walking up to people, striking up conversation, and taking their portraits. Schluter's project, Hello From a Stranger, was born. He has captured over a thousand portraits in more than 20 countries around the world, and his life has been forever changed.

Split image: Left—A man in a suit with a bloodied face is surrounded by security and being helped off a stage. Right—A man in a red hat speaks into a microphone at a podium with a Trump 2024 campaign sign.

Photographer Doug Mills on Winning the 2025 Pulitzer Prize! | The PetaPixel Podcast

In a special bonus episode of The PetaPixel Podcast, we spoke with award-winning veteran photojournalist Doug Mills about his latest Pulitzer Prize -- his third -- which he won for his series of photos showing a speeding bullet whizzing past now-President Donald Trump during an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania last year. Mills discussed how he captured the winning photos, how the latest gear empowers photojournalism, and the rapidly changing political landscape in which he operates.

A woman and a man run side by side down a long, narrow hallway with pale walls and red lights on the ceiling, creating a dramatic and urgent atmosphere.

How Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné Crafted the Look of ‘Severance’

Apple TV's hit series Severance is celebrated for its engaging story, incredible acting performances, and striking visuals. PetaPixel spoke with Severance cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné, one of the masterminds behind the show's eye-catching aesthetic, clever camera shots (like the iconic elevator transition zoom dolly sequence), and, as of season two, direction as well.

Close-up of a hand adjusting the shutter dial on a Nikon Zf camera on the left; on the right, a man holds a Nikon camera with a large telephoto lens, aiming it outdoors.

The Three Moments That Brought Nikon Back From the Brink

PetaPixel has written at length about how impressive it is that Nikon was able to turn its business around. From teetering on the brink to its now soaring success, the last five years have been an incredible journey for the company. Speaking to PetaPixel, Nikon attributes its phoenix-like revival to three key moments.

A person with dark hair and a beard holds a Nikon Zfc camera up to their face, ready to take a photo. The background is blurred with warm, glowing lights.

Nikon Is Open to Making More Vintage-Inspired Cameras

Once it got its foothold in the mirrorless camera market, Nikon didn't waste too much time tapping into its visual heritage and releasing vintage-inspired cameras. The Zfc hit store shelves in 2021, its full-frame brother the Zf came out two years later, and if photographers want more, Nikon says it is happy to oblige.

A hand holds a digital camera with a small screen, flanked by two flying drones against a neutral background with a circular spotlight.

As DJI Increases Its Imaging Product Portfolio, It All Comes Back to Drones

DJI is a major player in a growing number of imaging segments, with the company being the clear leader in the drone space, a significant force in the gimbal market, and an increasingly popular camera maker with products like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. PetaPixel spoke to Donovan Davis, DJI Senior Product Specialist, to learn more about the company's success and strategy moving forward.

Sunset view of a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, tall evergreen trees, a grassy hillside, and a rustic building in the foreground. The sky is clear with a soft, pinkish glow.

How a Photographer Built the Most Realistic Photography Video Game

Photographer turned game developer Matt Newell's brand new video game, Lushfoil Photography Sim, released today on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It is a beautiful, brilliant video game, and the most realistic photography game ever. PetaPixel chatted with Newell about his inspiration for Lushfoil, how he built it, and what he hopes the game offers photographers and traditional gamers alike.