On the left, a person is nearly hidden by a huge load of grass they are carrying while pushing a bicycle; on the right, a chocolate cake with five tall, lit candles emits smoke in a dark setting. The Best Shortlisted Images From the World Food Photography Awards
A woman in a light-colored dress stands on a city sidewalk, reaching into a large bag. She wears sunglasses and is surrounded by tall buildings, with two people walking away in the background. This Photographer Shot 1970s New York From the Hip
A black-and-white split image: on the left, a child stands by the river with a bridge in the background; on the right, an older man in a suit stands indoors, laughing. Photographer’s 10-Year Project Captures the Charm of Paris

Spotlight

Cameras are great, but it’s what is done in photography with that technology that really matters. To that end, PetaPixel regularly shines a Spotlight on the incredible photos and videos created by talented artists from around the world.
Matt Growcoot
A woman in a light-colored dress stands on a city sidewalk, reaching into a large bag. She wears sunglasses and is surrounded by tall buildings, with two people walking away in the background.

This Photographer Shot 1970s New York From the Hip

In July 1973, Mark Cohen spent a month living in a dorm room at New York University (NYU) while taking part in a film production workshop. His daily classes were short so he used his free time to walk around the city with his camera.

Matt Growcoot
A black-and-white split image: on the left, a child stands by the river with a bridge in the background; on the right, an older man in a suit stands indoors, laughing.

Photographer’s 10-Year Project Captures the Charm of Paris

Paris is perhaps the most important city in photography's history. As the birthplace of the medium, it has long been a haven for iconic photographers. It’s no surprise, then, that contemporary documentarians continue to turn their lenses on the City of Light -- Mathieu Bitton being one of the most notable, capturing its essence over the last 15 years.

Jeremy Gray
Left: A fluffy emperor penguin chick stands beside an adult. Right: Many adult emperor penguins huddle closely together, their bodies dusted with frost, to stay warm in the cold.

Wildlife Filmmaker Explains What It’s Like Filming Penguins in -50° Weather

National Geographic's new three-part documentary, Secrets of the Penguins, premiered last Sunday and enchanted viewers with, as its name suggests, incredible footage of penguins. The series, produced by James Cameron and led by Nat Geo Explorer and award-winning filmmaker Bertie Gregory required an incredible 274 days of filming in extreme environments. The three-person overwintering crew included wildlife filmmaker Helen Hobin, who spoke with PetaPixel about the experience.

Jeremy Gray
Two vintage photos: on the left, three women in kimonos sit on a bench under blossoming trees; on the right, a traditional Japanese temple stands among trees on a hillside.

19th Century Photos Showcase Japan’s Timeless Beauty

A new video by VX52 Movies on YouTube showcases some of the oldest photos taken in Japan. Captured from 1857 through 1925, the old photos are a brilliant time capsule of Japan as it rapidly and dramatically changed during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Jeremy Gray
A three-panel image: a chimpanzee in a zoo enclosure, Moroccan horsemen charging with lances, and skateboarders performing tricks at a skatepark at sunset.

The Wonderful Winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2025

The World Photography Organization announced the overall winners of the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards 2025 at the annual awards gala at Somerset House in London. British photographer Zed Nelson is "Photographer of the Year 2025" for his incredible series, The Anthropocene Illusion.

Jeremy Gray
Left side: A mountain goat grazes in a vibrant alpine meadow with flowers, overlooking a lake and rugged mountains under a clear sky. Right side: Three whales swim gracefully in deep blue ocean water, viewed from above.

‘Nat Geo Your Shot’ Celebrates Your Best Landscape and Wildlife Photos

National Geographic has long been known for its incredible photography, with professional photographers frequently capturing powerful, visually striking photos that are as artistically incredible as they are culturally impactful. While the magazine covers and pages are reserved for the pros, the "Nat Geo Your Shot" puts the spotlight on everyone else.

Matt Growcoot
A person holds a giant light blue sneaker with a blue swoosh. To the right, two mannequins, dressed in athletic wear, are on treadmills in a metallic lab environment.

Surreal Photos Taken Inside the Sprawling Nike Factory

Photographer Alastair Philip Wiper is no stranger to entering spaces rarely seen by others -- having previously visited a cryogenic chamber and a doomsday underground house. Wiper continued his modus operandi of taking viewers inside restricted locations when he was invited to document the inside of Nike.

Jeremy Gray
A collage with four images: two people with textured cards obscuring faces, a diverse group of people marching in a forest, hands reaching out to touch, and a close-up of two people embracing affectionately.

How Four Award-Winning Women Change the World Through Photography

On March 8, International Women's Day, Leica announced the four winners of its annual Leica Women Foto Project Award. Each woman's award-winning project demonstrates the power of visual storytelling and exemplifies this year's competition theme, unity through diversity. PetaPixel spoke to each winning photographer to learn more about their work.

Jeremy Gray
On the left, an owl with outstretched wings flies through a forest. On the right, another owl perches on a tree branch, illuminated by warm light against a background of dark foliage.

How Photographers Celebrated Flaco the Owl’s Year of Freedom

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) Flaco escaped from his longtime enclosure in New York City's Central Park Zoo in February 2023, attracting many admirers and enchanting millions. While his life was ultimately cut short a year after his escape, Flaco left a lasting impact on many, including enthusiastic birders and photographers Jacqueline Emery and David Lei, who celebrate Flaco's journey in the form of their book, Finding Flaco: Our Year With New York City's Beloved Owl.