Educational

PetaPixel's editorials are in-depth stories, thought-pieces, and opinions on the photography industry led by the minds of our editorial team.
Mirrors in Movies Video

Mirrors in Movies: How Filmmakers Make Cameras Disappear

When watching movies, some viewers like to look for errors, such as finding evidence of cameras and crew in the final cut of a film. One situation that should be ripe for spotting mistakes is when a scene includes mirrors and reflections. However, as YouTuber Paul E.T. shows in a pair of videos, filmmakers have incredible tricks to make cameras disappear.

Syrp Lab ISO video

A Deep Dive into ISO: How Variance and Dual Native ISO Affect Noise

"This is the ISO wheel on your camera, and sometimes, it does nothing," says Syrp Lab in its newest video. Syrp Lab takes a deep dive into ISO, explaining what it is, discussing Dual Native ISO and ISO variance, and providing the information people need to shoot the cleanest possible video.

Michael Shainblum Landscape

How To Properly Scout Locations To Get Gorgeous Landscape Photos

When I first started doing landscape photography, visiting new locations used to intimidate me a lot. I think part of me would feel the anxiety and pressure of needing to get a good shot, and oftentimes, I would not use the proper tools to set myself up for success.

Can a Photograph Change the World?

Portraying injustices is not something novel. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day, many photographers have been concerned about leaving their mark. But can we try to change the world – even make it a better place – through a photograph?

Chasing the Light at White Sands National Park

America’s national parks are a true source of pride. Each is unique in what it offers and this is certainly true of one of the more off-the-beaten-track parks.

The Rise and Fall of the Press Camera

If you were an aspiring photojournalist during most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, then your dream machine was likely not a Hasselblad, a Rolleiflex, a Leica, or any of the other vintage film cameras commonly cited as the most desirable collectibles nowadays.

Yevonde: An Introduction to the Woman Who Pioneered Color Photography

The National Portrait Gallery, London, reopens in June following a three-year closure for the “largest redevelopment” in its 127-year history. Its opening exhibition, Yevonde: Life and Colour, will be the most comprehensive to date on British photographer, Yevonde Middleton (1893-1975).

Bill Anders Earthrise

The Story Behind ‘Earthrise,’ One of NASA’s Most Iconic Images

Apollo 8, the first crewed mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968. As the Apollo 8 crew members Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William (Bill) Anders orbited the moon aboard the spacecraft, Anders spotted and captured Earthrise, one of the most iconic space photos ever made.

A Simple Technique to Photograph Standing Waves on Water

By using a simple mechanical oscillator attached to a plastic cup, a number of unique standing wave patterns can be created. The resulting photographs are similar to geometric mandala patterns and thus are popular subjects for photography students.

Producing the Perfect Print: A Guide for Photographers

Producing a decent print is not as easy as you might think. You might get lucky and get a great result the first time. But, more likely, when you start printing your work, you’ll find it might not look as good as you’d hoped. Don’t give up. With a bit of practice and a better understanding of the process, you can quickly improve your printing.

How Autofocus Works in Photography

When it was first introduced, many people sharply believed that autofocus would never have a clear place in the photography industry, puns intended. Why have a machine guess where to focus when you can just turn the focusing ring yourself? Today, autofocus systems are among the primary selling points for new camera and lens technology.

Lomo School

Lomography Launches Lomo School: Online Film Photography Education

The Lomographic Society has announced the Lomography School, promising an "analog education like never before." For film photographers, especially beginners, it can be challenging to find the resources they need to learn about all aspects of analog photography and Lomography. The Lomo School delivers "everything from the analog basics to exciting experimental techniques" in one place.

Color Filters for Black-and-White Photography: A Complete Guide

Lens filters are one of the most affordable yet also most versatile accessories you can stow in your lens bag. Some of them, like polarizers and UV filters, are practically ubiquitous in modern-day photography, used both to lend images a unique look as well as to protect your costly gear.

UK speed camera

Yes, the UK Speed Camera Icon Really Is a 19th-Century Camera

Last week, a Twitter user took to the social media platform to share something they learned about the speed camera sign, saying that it isn't a bellows camera, as they had thought "for years," but rather that the symbol depicts a "boring CCTV camera pointing towards the viewer."

Michael Shainblum

6 Tips To Help You Capture Unique Abstract Landscape Photography

Abstract landscape photography offers a unique opportunity to explore the world around us in a completely different way. By focusing on patterns, shapes, and textures, we can discover unseen worlds in even the most mundane places.

How and Where to Photograph Moose

What is the animal sighting that tops many visitors’ wishlists in Yellowstone, Canada, or Alaska? You might think the answer is straightforward: grizzly bears. Wolves. Bison. The answer, however, is moose!

Premiere Basics The Last of Us Color Grading

How to Recreate the Color Grading of ‘The Last of Us’ in Premiere Pro

HBO's The Last of Us has been a smash hit for the network, with its recent season one finale drawing a season-high 8.2 million viewers, despite premiering against the Oscars. The television adaptation of Naughty Dog's popular The Last of Us PlayStation game has proven popular for many reasons, not the least of which is compelling and cinematic visuals.

How John Glenn’s $40 Camera Forced NASA to Rethink Space Missions

We're about to take a trip back in time to the early 1960s and learn how a $40 drugstore camera forced NASA to rethink its space missions. Yes, it’s true. A simple camera purchased at the local drugstore played a pivotal role in shaping the future of space exploration and set the stage for space photography in a non-scientific domain.