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.
Jeremy Gray
A vintage film camera with a black textured body and silver lens, accompanied by a compact, silver light meter. Both items are shown on a white surface against a neutral background.

Rare Prototype Leica M Expected to Sell for Over $750,000 at Auction

423 lots comprising rare and exceptional pieces of photographic history will be up for auction at the 45th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23 in Vienna. 2024 is a landmark year for Leica Camera AG, marking 70 years since the company introduced the first Leica M rangefinder camera, arguably the most influential camera model ever. Many remarkable Leica M models will be up for auction, including some expected to sell for nearly $800,000.

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A beautifully illuminated Tower Bridge at dusk, with a "Top Photographer Winner" badge displayed in the top left corner. The bridge's lights shine against a backdrop of a darkening sky and city skyline.

The Best Photos from GuruShots’ ‘Art of Architecture’ Challenge

GuruShots, the "World's Greatest Photo Game," has announced the winners of its "Art of Architecture" challenge, which received thousands of entries and over 29 million votes. The "Top Photographer" winner of the contest is Bruno Ribeiro of Portugal (whose photo is seen above).

Jeremy Gray
A vivid image of a nebula in space, showcasing bright colors with swirling patterns. Orange and red clouds contrast against a dark background, with a striking blue formation resembling a gaseous arc. Twinkling stars are scattered throughout.

This Astrophotographer Captures the Universe Unlike Anyone Else

Through his fantastic images, Finnish astrophotographer J-P Metsavainio shows how photos can be breathtakingly beautiful when art meets science. One of Metsavainio's recent images, WR 134 as a Rising Phoenix, is a brilliant example of the aesthetic wonders of the cosmos and the extreme technical precision required to do astrophotography.

Ken Klein
Two images side by side: The left image shows two necklaces with pink and blue gemstones on silver and rose gold chains against a light background. The right image shows golden liquid pouring from a bottle labeled "Añejo" in bold letters against a dark background.

Luxury Product Photography Requires Precision, Creativity, and Patience

Arguing the upside of proximity, photographer Robert Capa said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” In-studio commercial photographers, with robotic cameras and high-tech lighting, get plenty close to their subjects.

Jeremy Gray
Underwater scene showcasing a vibrant coral reef, with a variety of fish swimming among the corals. A colorful sergeant major fish, a spotted fish, and an octopus are visible amidst the rich marine life and clear blue water.

Underwater Camera Catches Octopuses Punching Fish Out of Spite

Octopuses are among the world's most fascinating creatures. The highly complex eight-limbed mollusks are generally very intelligent, exhibiting sophisticated behaviors rarely seen in nonhuman animals. As new video evidence shows, octopuses are also occasionally violent ocean leaders.

Jeremy Gray
Close-up of two images showing ants on water. The left image focuses on a single ant reflecting on the surface, while the right image displays a dense mass of ants, some submerged, demonstrating social behavior and teamwork.

Wildlife Footage Shows Fire Ants Building a Living Raft to Stick Together

BBC Earth is routinely on the cutting-edge of nature documentaries and imaging technology, capturing the hidden world of plants, recording remarkable footage in the world's largest cave, and shooting high-resolution footage in pitch dark conditions. One of BBC Earth's latest videos shows a macro view of fire ants building a living raft of their comrades to survive flooding.