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 split image: on the left, a bat hangs upside down from a branch; on the right, a honey badger walks on dry ground, looking directly at the camera.

Nat Geo’s ‘Underdogs’ Hilariously Celebrates Nature’s Unsung Animal Heroes

National Geographic's newest wildlife documentary series, Underdogs, celebrates nature's unsung heroes and adds a generous helping of humor thanks to Ryan Reynolds' narration. PetaPixel spoke to Mark Linfield and Vanessa Berlowitz, co-founders of Wildstar Films, about the new series and how evolving camera tech helps tell compelling nature stories in fresh new ways.

Split image showing a vintage box camera: the left side in sepia with an old, worn look, and the right side modernized with cool lighting and blue light streaks, highlighting a contrast between past and present.

Photographer Brings 104-Year-Old Kodak Camera Back to Life

Austrian photographer Markus Hofstaetter purchased a century-old Eastman View Camera No. 2-D, also known as the Kodak 2D, more than six months ago and has since spent the time since restoring the camera to its former glory. After all the time and effort, the 104-year-old camera is reborn.

Split image: Left, a Steller’s sea eagle with its beak open, surrounded by snow. Right, a small lizard sits on the head of a large iguana, both basking in sunlight.

The Funniest Photos So Far in the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

With just one month left before the entry period closes in this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards photo contest, the event organizers are sharing a selection of the best brand-new entries to date to help spur more photographers to throw their hats in the ring. The hilarious entries include a tiny waving lizard, a stylish rhino, and much more.

Three newspaper sports covers show a basketball player in a yellow jersey looking shocked or distressed, with bold headlines like "COLLAPSE!", "CHOKE 2.0", and "CHOKE'S ON KNICKS" about the Knicks losing a big game.

Viral NBA Choke Photo Shows How History Repeats Itself

The widely published choke-gesture photo from the NBA playoffs showcases the enduring power of a single image to capture and ignite sports passion. In this case, the photographer had line of sight for a second to make the photo.

A polar bear stands on icy sea ice, bending down to drink or look into a small opening in the ice, surrounded by snow and patches of open water.

Aquatic Stalk in Precious Spring: How Polar Bears Hunt In a Changing World

Aquatic stalking is a hunting technique used by polar bears to catch seals. Unlike the traditional method of waiting by breathing holes in the ice, aquatic stalking involves the bear swimming stealthily through open water or diving under ice to approach seals resting on the ice’s edge. Polar bears use their white fur as camouflage in snowy or icy environments, allowing them to blend in and get closer without being detected. When close enough, the bear launches a sudden, explosive attack, often breaking through the ice or lunging from the water to catch the seal. This method requires patience, strength, and precise timing, as seals are highly alert and quick to escape into the water.

Two scientists collect samples on snowy ground at night using headlamps (left); a person in a yellow jacket sits in a small boat near a larger ship, surrounded by flying birds at dusk (right).

Six Superb Award-Winning Photos Showcase Groundbreaking Science

Nature's 2025 Scientist at Work photography competition combines incredible photographic skills and fascinating, vital scientific work performed by experts worldwide. This year's winners deliver a mix of photos featuring Arctic telescopes, mountain fog, tiny frogs, and even whale biologists.

Three men pose against green backgrounds: one wears an elaborate horned costume with armor, another sits in a patterned silver suit with medals, and the third wears a parka with a fur hood and has long dreadlocks.

A Decade of Discovery: Felix Kunze’s Iconic Explorers Club Portraits

For over a century, The Explorers Club Annual Dinner has stood as a prestigious gathering, celebrating those who relentlessly push the boundaries of human endeavor. For the past ten years, photographer Felix Kunze has been its visual chronicler, capturing portraits of attendees with a distinctively simple, yet timelessly classy style.