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.
A disassembled camera is laid out on a dark surface, showcasing various components including the lens, circuit board, and outer casing. The parts are neatly arranged, highlighting the intricate inner workings of the device.

Fujifilm X100VI Teardown Reveals an Unusual Surprise

Infrared conversion specialist Kolari routinely shares teardowns of new cameras, such as the EOS R5 II in October, and the Nikon Z8 and Hasselblad X1D II 50C last year. The latest new camera to go under the surgical knife (or screwdriver) is the Fujifilm X100VI.

A group of astronauts in yellow space suits with helmets walk in formation under a dark, cloudy sky. The suits feature various patches and insignias. A large aircraft is partially visible in the background.

A Game of Inches: The Suit That Kept a Photographer Alive

It was not on the flight, but rather the day before, as I was sitting in a pressure chamber testing my spacesuit one last time, that I realized how absolute my reliance on it would be. I was well aware of the extreme risk to anyone who had the misfortune of being ejected from a U2. Yet, I took solace in knowing that because of this multi-layered suit, there would at least be a chance, although small, of survival should that situation become a reality.

Gold laurel wreath with "PP" in the center on a glittery black background. Below, the text reads "2024 Winners.

The PetaPixel Awards: The Best of Photography in 2024

We are proud to announce the results of the fourth-annual PetaPixel Awards where we are able to honor the best new photography products released in the last year. 2024 was a heck of a year for photography and the results showed that: it was the closest batch of voting in the awards' history.

A squirrel is mostly hidden inside a tree with only its legs and tail visible sticking out. It appears to be climbing or maneuvering around the tree trunk. White flowers are visible on the tree. The background is blurred greenery.

Stuck Squirrel Photo Wins the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards winners were announced today at the competition's Awards Night at the Oxo Gallery in London. Photographer Milko Marchetti is this year's overall winner, thanks to his excellent and hilarious image of a red squirrel stuck in a tree, aptly named "Stuck Squirrel."

A sepia-toned image shows an old photography van with a man seated on it, and a barren landscape with cannonballs scattered on a dirt road, evoking a historic wartime scene.

The Story of Roger Fenton: The World’s First War Photographer

Roger Fenton is best known for Valley of the Shadow of Death, one of the oldest-known photos depicting war. His relatively short 10-year photography career sparked accusations that he was a government propagandist while simultaneously being praised as one of the medium's pioneers.

A vintage 35mm rangefinder camera with a black textured body and silver accents is shown. It's accompanied by a detachable light meter on the side. The camera has dials and a viewfinder on the top.

‘One of the Most Remarkable’ Leica Camera Prototypes Ever Sells for Over $2.1 Million

Earlier this month, the Leitz Photographica Auction previewed some of the 423 lots that were for sale over the weekend in Vienna, Austria, including a rare Leica M prototype auction organizers expected to sell for as much as 700,000 euros (about $735,000). Now that the auction has occurred, it turns out the estimate was far too low -- the Leica M prototype sold for 2,040,000 euros ($2,143,509).

Colorful auroras in the night sky with pink, red, and green lights swirling above a dark coastline. A ghostly, elongated light effect stretches from the water towards the sky, creating an ethereal scene.

Lasers, Meteors, and Aurora Come Together in Ethereal Photo Series

Photographer Reuben Wu, known for pioneering light painting in beautiful landscape photography, including through the use of drones, has begun work on a brand-new project. While the project is in progress, Wu captured some beautiful shots in August that are too cool not to share a little early.

A split image: on the left, a black-and-white portrait of a bald man smiling. On the right, four individuals in traditional attire stand on rocks with dramatic mountainous scenery in the background.

The Artistry of Self: The Life and Work of Photographer Jimmy Nelson

English photographer Jimmy Nelson, best known for his portraits of tribal and indigenous peoples, was recently announced as the winner of the $100,000 Special Appreciation Award at HIPA, the world's most lucrative photography competition backed by the crown prince of Dubai. PetaPixel sat down with Nelson to talk about the prize, his life, and his inspiring career.

A bustling cityscape of Times Square with tall buildings and billboards. The central billboard promotes the NBA Tip-Off 2024, showing cheering fans. Vehicles and pedestrians fill the streets below, and sunlight filters through the skyscrapers.

Behind the Tip-Off: The Making of the NBA’s 2025 Ad Campaign

Some advertising photographers equate the degree of stress during a high-profile shoot as a metric of their skill as a photographer: If you’re stressed, then perhaps you were unprepared or lacked knowledge, they might say. I don’t think that’s always the case, as sometimes the extreme challenge of a complicated image requires stress to realize its full creative potential.

A Nikon camera sits on a white table outdoors with a modern building and greenery in the background. The building has large glass windows and a visible Nikon logo.

Remembering My Father Part III: Bringing His Camera Home

"I really want to get the light meter fixed," my dad told me once, years ago. "It's been hard, I don't think they make the parts anymore." By the late 2010s, my dad had given up on ever getting his Nikon Photomic FTn ever working again. This past summer, though, his beloved camera was brought back from the brink.

A collage of three images: a person in a cowboy hat playing a mandolin against a tree, a person with long curly hair and a formal outfit, and a person wearing a cap and denim jacket smiling.

How to Make Authentic Portraits of Much-Photographed Music Stars

Music and commercial photographer Ed Rode spent decades making pictures of Tennessee’s most iconic brands: country music talent and Jack Daniels Whiskey. The key to making a good photo, he says, is having a healthy respect for the subject, whether it’s a living, breathing being or an object waiting for its moment to shine. Case in point: a bottle of whiskey.

A stunning, colorful image of Jupiter's turbulent atmosphere with swirling clouds and vortices, showcasing shades of blue, white, orange, and brown. The dynamic patterns create a sense of movement across the planet's northern hemisphere.

The Most Spectacular Images From Juno’s Latest Close Flyby of Jupiter

NASA's Juno spacecraft recently made its 66th flyby, or "perijove," of the gas giant, Jupiter, returning many spectacular raw images to Earth. While NASA processes many photos from the Juno mission, community editors are a significant part of the photography efforts, and the latest community submissions are incredible.