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 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.

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.

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).

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.