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 collage of three microscope images: left, close-up of a flower's reproductive parts; top right, green algae cells next to a metal surface; bottom right, glowing cellular structures in purple and green.

Nikon Small World in Motion Winners Reveal Hidden Microscopic Wonders

The 15th annual Nikon Small World in Motion winners showcase the world's best and most dynamic microscopic videography. The first-place video shows the self-pollination of a thymeleaf speedwell, while another prize-winning video captures actin and mitochondria in mouse brain tumor cells, demonstrating the diversity of the microscopy on display this year.

A collage of three photos: a stone bridge over a river in a city, people walking through a covered, illuminated shopping street at night, and a woman with dark hair wearing a white top and heart necklace.

Photographer Captures the Stillness and Emotional Depth In Everyday Life

Modern photography is often defined by speed, filters, and fleeting trends, yet Kerwin Mallari has carved a distinctive path by focusing on stillness, intuition, and the subtle beauty of everyday life. Surrounded from an early age by his father’s extensive collection of photographs, he developed a profound appreciation for the stories that images can tell.

Two men stand in a forested area by a river; one holds a fishing rod and laughs while the other films him with a camera. Large text in the background reads, "WE MADE A MOVIE.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Making PetaPixel’s Documentary Film ‘No Guarantees’

Making a movie of any kind, scripted or otherwise, is a massive endeavor. Not only do you need to assemble the right team, but you also need to figure out budgets, manage every shooting day carefully, and prepare for every eventuality. So while the PetaPixel team may have the camera and editing skills, the multitude of other factors usually preclude us from actually making a movie. So, when the opportunity was presented, we jumped on it.

Three photos: A boy plays with bubbles outdoors; a smiling woman holds a giant elephant plush toy at a fair; a girl blows a party horn while holding a large stuffed hamster.

Photographer’s Portraits of People With Prizes Captures the Fun of Fairs

State fairs are a trademark part of the American Summer experience. Many have fond memories of going to their local fair, partaking in fried foods, and trying their luck at challenging fair games to win big, fun prizes. Photographer Carlos Gonzalez went to the Minnesota State Fair to get portraits of fairgoers with their precious prizes, capturing the magic and wonder of fairs.

Three photos of the northern lights: the first shows green auroras over icy terrain, the second has a person standing beneath vivid green lights, and the third displays green and pink auroras over snow and water at night.

Photographer Upends His Whole Life to Chase Auroras Around the Arctic

One night in 2018, I was viewing the international space station through a telescope in the observatory of Helsinki. Suddenly, I looked into the opposite direction and there, for the first time ever, I would see the northern lights dancing over the city below. The experience was otherworldly and I wanted to see them again and again.

A collage of U.S. photography scenes with the text “Picture America Powered by AdoramaTV” in bold white script overlaid across the center.

New Docuseries Points the Lens at Photographers Across the US

AdoramaTV's new original docuseries, Picture America, highlights photographers who capture the spirit of the United States. Produced by filmmaker Sal D’Alia, the series explores diverse communities and landscapes, offering viewers a chance to see America “one frame at a time.”

A scuba diver swims underwater near a massive swirling school of fish, with light filtering through the dense formation and illuminating the scene.

Photographing the Sardine Run in South Africa Changed My Life

For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased moments that remind me how small I am; the moments that make the world feel big again. The sardine run is one of those moments -- a crazy spectacle of survival, chaos, and connection all at once. I went all the way to South Africa to see it with my own eyes and to feel what it means to be a part of something this wild.