Educational

PetaPixel's editorials are in-depth stories, thought-pieces, and opinions on the photography industry led by the minds of our editorial team.
A vibrant fireworks display in a city skyline. On the left, multicolored fireworks illuminate a bridge and buildings with emphasis on red trails. On the right, blue and white fireworks burst against the night sky, reflected on a wet surface below.

How to Photograph Fireworks Like a Pro

With the Fourth of July quickly approaching in the United States, photographers are getting ready to capture the magic of fireworks shows. If you want to nail some spectacular shots, you'll want to pay attention to a few key tips.

A side-by-side comparison of a bald man with a gray beard and extensive face tattoos. The left image is in color, revealing the vivid tattoos, while the right image is a black-and-white rendition of the same person, highlighting facial features in contrast.

Disappearing Ink on a Tattooed Man: A Photographer’s Story

The tattooed man arrived at the photographer’s right on time, a walking gallery of living art in vibrant blues, greens, and reds imprinted all over his face and neck. He sat for a portrait in the studio as scheduled.

Back Button Focus: Everything You Need to Know

In the world of photography, achieving precise focus is a requirement when capturing great images. Whether you're shooting a landscape, a candid portrait, or a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in a fast-paced event, sharp focus can make or break your image. 

A vintage black camera with a large silver lens is displayed against a gray background featuring faint outlines of various camera models. The camera has several dials and buttons on its top surface. The lens is prominently extended towards the viewer.

The Fascinating History of Leica Copies, From Braun to Zorki

Throughout photographic history, few cameras have had the kind of defining influence that can compare to the original Barnack Leica. It’s only natural that the industry of the time would react impulsively to the arrival of such a new, exciting, and innovative breed of camera – which is exactly what happened.

A man with a camera and a backpack in an orange jacket stands in an empty airport terminal, gazing out large windows, with departure gates and clear sky in the background.

Flying with Lithium Batteries: What You Need to Know

As many of us, including myself, prepare to travel this summer, we -- as photographers -- tend to carry a lot of lithium batteries for our photography gear. After all, we aren’t going to check our precious and pricey cameras, lenses, and other equipment. Naturally, batteries are a necessary component of any photographer’s kit, whether they be camera batteries, lithium-ion AA or AAA batteries, or something else.

Split image featuring a vintage camera on the left and two boys standing against a city street background on the right. one boy has his arm around the other's shoulder. black and white tone.

Why I Shoot Medium Format Film

Back in the day, 35mm film was called “miniature” format; its itty bitty negatives were considered only good for snapshots and maybe street photography (sorry, Leica shooter Henri Cartier-Bresson). Serious photography—landscape, portraiture, documentary, commercial—was dominated by medium format film, a platform that produced images with fine detail and luscious tonality, even when blown up to make billboard-size prints.

Color Gamut in Smartphones: What You Should Know

Nothing to see here. You take photos on a smartphone to share them on social media, and that’s it. Only a tiny minority of phone users would ever ponder the color gamut of smartphones or their color management. Accuracy is not a priority.

Eclipse Across America

Eclipse Across America: How to Photograph and Enjoy Today’s Historic Eclipse

After years of anticipation, the 2024 total solar eclipse has finally arrived. Many millions of Americans will be in or near the eclipse's path of totality, ranging from Texas to Maine. However, hundreds of millions more people will have to find other ways to enjoy the celestial event. That's where ABC News and National Geographic come in with Eclipse Across America.

A total solar eclipse, composite image

The Best Tips for Photographing the Total Solar Eclipse

For those who may have somehow missed it, a historic total solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America on April 8. Photographing an eclipse can be tricky, but fret not. You'll surely capture some great photos next week with these helpful tips.

Tracking Down and Testing the Camera from ‘Rear Window’ (1954)

My hobby is film photography, which involves collecting interesting cameras, taking photos, printing pictures, and so on. Within this fairly common hobby though I have a particular niche interest, which is tracking down and trying out cameras that feature in film and media.

All stages of the total solar eclipse are lined up against a black background.

How to Photograph the Solar Eclipse

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 is a highly anticipated event, in large part because it will be the last to cross over North America for 20 years. It is a special event to witness and photograph, though it does require planning and preparation.

Hands hold a camera in front of a selection of other photography gear on a desk.

The Camera Gear Beginners Shouldn’t Cheap Out On

Camera equipment is expensive, making it hard for beginners to build kits and get started. Because of this, it can be tempting to opt for budget-friendly options for some pieces of equipment. Unfortunately, that's not always wise.

A mix of photography equipment laid out on a black table.

The Camera Equipment Beginners Don’t Need

There's no denying that photography is a gear-focused endeavor. We are constantly pitched fancy new equipment with the idea that more gear will make us better photographers. For some photographers and their needs, that's absolutely true. But for those just starting, some equipment simply isn't necessary.

How to Print Photos at Home

Printing your photos at home can get complicated and confusing rather quickly. Between choosing a printer and paper and problem-solving why the colors don't look like what you see on your display, it can be overwhelming, especially if you are just getting started.

Two versions of the same image of a girl in a wheat field with drastically different colors.

What is Color Space and Why Does it Matter?

For most photographers, color is a crucial component of their images. As a result, it only makes sense to want the colors that you envision to come through in the same way when others view your photographs. That can be easier said than done, however.

The Powerful Lessons Analog Photography Can Teach

Up until recently, most introductory photography classes in colleges and universities still taught students the basics of the medium using film and darkroom processes. These days, though, the majority of schools have transitioned to digital since it is more affordable for students and doesn’t require a lab full of equipment and chemicals. But despite the obvious benefits of digital, analog photography still serves as a valuable tool for learning the medium.

A portrait of a woman in front of a piece of cardboard with holes in it.

How to Recycle Cardboard Into a Creative Photography Backdrop

It's no secret that most photography equipment is expensive and typically highly specialized. But that doesn't always need to be the case. In the above video from Adorama, photographer Gavin Hoey walks viewers through how to create studio portraits using a simple sheet of cardboard and some studio lights.

A fog rolls over fall foliage in a mountainous river valley.

What is HDR Photography?

HDR photography may seem complex, but it is a surprisingly simple tool that can open new photographic doors. Most people have encountered HDR photography without thinking about it since smartphones automatically produce HDR images.