Features

PetaPixel's Features are in-depth, heavily researched stories designed to answer the most important questions on a topic. Where we flex our journalistic muscle, expect to find the best storytelling and original reporting the photo industry offers.
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 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.

Two Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras side by side on a yellow-orange gradient background. The cameras have prominent lenses with silver edges and dials on top.

The Biggest Differences Between the Sony a1 and the New Sony a1 II

Sony has a new flagship camera, the Alpha 1 Mark II. However, while the a1 II brings a lot of improvements, it is not a wholesale revolution compared to its predecessor, which was admittedly way ahead of its time when it launched in early 2021. So, what's new with the a1 II? How is it better?

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 person holds a vintage Nikon film camera towards the lens. The camera's body is black with visible details, including the Nikon logo and lens information. The background is slightly blurred, focusing attention on the camera.

Hunting in Tokyo for My Favorite Classic Nikon Cameras

Earlier this year, my father passed away and left me with his beloved Nikon F and Photomic FTn. After getting it repaired, I found myself in love with the analog process again and have been revisiting cameras I had long since dismissed. Suddenly, I was confronted with Nikon cameras I had never seen or -- in some cases -- never heard of before.

An image of four tripods on a cracked white background, overlaid with excerpts of frustrated customer comments about refunds and delivery issues concerning the Theta Max auto-leveling tripod.

Benro’s Self-Leveling Theta Tripod Kickstarter Hasn’t Gone as Planned

In January 2023, Benro shared that it was developing the world's first self-leveling tripod called the Theta. The following March, the company announced its Kickstarter to bring that tripod to life. Today, many backers report that they still have not received their tripod and some even claim Benro is not willingly or quickly processing refunds.

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.

A vintage-style poster featuring a Panasonic 4K camera lens against a textured, aged paper background with brown border edges. The lens is prominently displayed, emphasizing its details and modern design.

Panasonic’s HC-VX3 Camcorder is a Relic That Is Best Left in the Past

Not long ago, camcorders ruled as the go-to device for capturing life’s moments. Now, they’re relics. Smartphones have stomped out almost every practical use for camcorders, replacing them with better features and internet connectivity. Yet, some manufacturers cling to the past, hoping to squeeze a few bucks from a dying market.