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A sunlit gallery wall displays a grid of photographs, with shadows from window panes creating patterns. The photos include a close-up of a person's eyes, various scenes, and interior shots. A sign reads "Bronze Award.

When a Moment Becomes a Story: Inside the OPPO Photography Awards 2025

In mid-December, as the winter sun drifts across Cairo’s skyline, a new kind of exhibition opens its doors, built not from the work of gallery veterans but from the pockets of everyday people. Each image is a reminder that the world is full of stories happening in the margins of daily life. And increasingly, these stories are being captured through a device nearly everyone carries.

Close-up of a person holding a camera with a large lens among orange leaves (left), and a person in a brown sweater and beanie using a camera in a snowy mountain landscape (right).

7 OM SYSTEM Deals Worth Grabbing This Holiday Season

OM SYSTEM's Holiday Savings Event runs through January 11, 2025, and the deals are compelling. The Micro Four Thirds system has always offered a distinct advantage: professional-grade performance in a package that weighs half as much as full-frame equivalents. With savings up to $500 on flagship cameras and lenses, this is an ideal time to build or expand a travel-ready kit without compromising image quality.

A promotional graphic for AI-powered image matting shows three examples: a woman in a veil, a woman with curly hair, and a dandelion, highlighting alpha matting for transparent objects, hair, fur, and complex details.

One-Click AI for Precise Photo Background Removal With Aiarty Image Matting

Every professional photographer understands the frustration of a complex mask. When you’re dealing with fine hair against a busy background, the sheer fabric of a wedding dress, or even highly detailed product shots, traditional selection tools quickly become a time-sinking ordeal. Hours spent painstakingly refining edges in post-production translate directly into lost studio time and increased labor costs. It’s a tedious, manual bottleneck that hinders the creative flow.

Promotional image for Aiarty Video Enhancer AI, showing a woman with colorful eye makeup and graphical overlays for “Upscale,” “Deblur,” and “Denoise.” Text mentions 4K Ultra HD and “Restore and Enhance Videos with Next-Gen AI.”.

Aiarty Video Enhancer V3.0 for More Powerful Denoising, Upscaling & Video Enhancement

For video photographers, maintaining high-quality footage can be a constant challenge. Clips can arrive noisy, soft, or constrained by camera hardware and shooting conditions. Unlike RAW stills, video offers little room for correction, making it hard to produce clean, professional results straight out of the camera.

A smartphone mounted on a compact, extended tripod stands on a concrete surface outdoors. Next to it is the tripod's packaging box. In the background, leafy greenery and a "PetaPixel Showcase" banner are visible.

K&F Concept’s Popod 3-in-1 Tripod and Selfie Stick Transforms Mobile Creation

K&F CONCEPT has expanded its lineup of photography accessories with the Popod 72" Phone Tripod, a 3-in-1 magnetic tripod and selfie stick designed for mobile creators. With a snap-open design, adjustable tripod head, Bluetooth remote, and support for 1/4" screw-mounted accessories, the Popod aims to simplify content creation for solo shooters and small-scale creators.

A split image shows a portable card reader with multiple SD cards on the left and the same card reader connected to a laptop with several SD cards inserted on the right.

Why Choosing the Right Camera Card Is Essential for Professional Photography

In modern photography, nearly every part of the workflow has evolved at an incredible pace. Sensors are larger, resolutions are higher, and video formats now reach deep into 8K and beyond. Yet one of the smallest pieces of gear in your bag plays one of the biggest roles in whether your camera can take full advantage of that power: the memory card. For professional photographers, choosing the right media is not a convenience. It is a critical decision that affects performance, reliability, data safety, and ultimately the quality of the work you deliver.

A smiling woman examines a camera with a large lens next to an orange drink, while the right side shows a close-up of a camera lens against a blurred background.

Tamron Lens Buyer’s Guide: All New and Holiday Instant Savings

Capture the season’s best moments with incredible savings—Tamron’s Holiday Instant Savings event is here, bringing exclusive deals on some of their most advanced and versatile mirrorless lenses. From the all-in-one travel favorites like the 18-300mm and creator essentials including the 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 and 70-180mm F/2.8 G2, these limited-time discounts make it easier than ever to upgrade your kit.

A black DSLR camera with a large lens and an external microphone attached sits among festive decorations, including silver tinsel, red berries, and a wrapped gift, against a white background.

Sennheiser’s Holiday Deals Are On

Get ready to elevate your sound—Sennheiser’s holiday sale brings premium audio performance within easy reach. Whether you’re upgrading your headphones, capturing crisp vocals with portable mics, or building a versatile mobile gear kit for content on the go, this event is packed with pro-level tools at can’t-miss prices. It’s the perfect moment to refine your setup and sound your best, wherever creativity takes you. The sale is on through December 31, 2025.

A person in winter clothing adjusts a camera on a tripod, standing on snow with snow-covered mountains and a clear sky in the background.

The Best Gear for Winter Photography

There is a duality to shooting during winter. Cold, snowy days can be the catalyst for some amazing photos and adventures, but this can come at the expense of your gear. We’re going to cover some of the best gear from ProMaster to get you through the coldest months of the year, without sacrificing your ability to create images and video.

Promotional banner for Excire Cyber Week, featuring Excire-Foto and Excire-Search software boxes, a grayscale profile of a woman, and a red badge announcing a 30% discount valid through 12/7.

Excire’s Incredible AI Photo-Management Tools Are 30% Off Through December 7th

Excire’s AI-powered photo-management software has developed a devoted following among photographers who want faster culling, smarter search tools, and a well-organized image library—and this Black Friday, the company is offering a rare chance to grab its latest programs for some of the best prices of the year.

A framed landscape photo of a colorful mountain field with wildflowers is displayed in front of a decorated Christmas tree with green ornaments and gold gift boxes.

How Photographers Can Maximize Holiday Revenue With Lumaprints

As the year races toward the holidays, photographers face a surge in demand for meaningful gifts and home décor. With November and December offering the strongest print sales of the year, here are our favorite tips and key strategies for turning that seasonal momentum into real revenue with Lumaprints.

Promotional graphic for Aiarty Image Enhancer showing a bird photo improved through three steps: denoise, deblur, and upscale; the bird's feather details become sharper and clearer in the final image.

Aiarty Image Enhancer 3.5 Upscales Photos Faster with Better Results

High-quality photography requires more than just a good camera. It demands post-processing that preserves detail, clarity, and color fidelity. For photographers looking to upscale images, recover lost detail, or bring older digital files back to life, Aiarty Image Enhancer has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best AI image upscalers available today. With Version 3.5, it now delivers even faster processing and greater control, helping photographers achieve professional-quality results more efficiently than ever.

A man kneels in a cave surrounded by cameras, tripods, lights, and tech gear. Gold and red glitter cover the ground. Text reads, "Black Friday Sales, Nov 20 - Dec 1. Grab Your Unbeatable Prices.

Hundreds of SmallRig Photo and Video Products Are Up to 30% Off

SmallRig has rolled out its most extensive Black Friday promotions yet, offering significant discounts across tripods, batteries, lights, phone cages, mobile accessories, and rigging tools. With savings of up to 30%, creators can upgrade key pieces of kit at some of the lowest prices of the year.

Six sections show festive gift arrangements: top row features gifts and Christmas items on red, pink, and brown backgrounds; bottom row has blue, stacked multicolored, and red gifts on blue, yellow, and green backgrounds.

Shoot, Share, Surprise: Photo Gifts They’ll Love

Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned pro or someone just discovering the joy of capturing moments, the right gear can make inspiration come to life. This curated gift guide highlights photography products that elevate creativity, sharpen skills, and make shooting more enjoyable -- ranging from essential tools to delightful extras any photographer would love to unwrap.

Top 10 ProMaster Gifts Under $100

From stocking stuffers to picture perfect presents, ProMaster is making gift giving easy this holiday season! This list of 10 ProMaster products under $100 has something for everyone on your list, from beginner photographers and content creators to professional shooters and videographers. Or, shop for yourself and take advantage of the holiday savings. Save 20% on these gifts through December 24, 2025!

A 512GB Delkin Devices BLACK SD memory card lies on soil and dried pine needles next to two rocks. The card’s label displays its capacity, SDXC logo, UHS-II speed class, and a serial number.

11 Years & 1M Cards Strong: RUGGED and Warrantied for Life!

For more than a decade, Delkin BLACK has been synonymous with rugged, professional-grade memory — trusted by photographers who shoot in the harshest environments on Earth. Since the line’s debut in 2014, over one million BLACK cards have gone into the field, empowering photographers from the Arctic tundra to the Sahara dunes — and everywhere in between.

Two landscape photographs of a lake surrounded by autumn trees are displayed outdoors among dense green bushes and foliage. The upper photo has vibrant colors, while the framed lower photo shows a calm reflection.

Embracing Autumn’s Fleeting Beauty to Boost Your Photography Sales With Lumaprints

Autumn’s vibrant colors and crisp light provide photographers with an ideal backdrop to capture striking images across genres, from landscapes to portraits. With Lumaprints’ Print-on-Demand services, these seasonal shots can be quickly turned into high-quality prints, helping photographers showcase the beauty of fall while boosting sales both online and in person.

Various digital cameras and camera lenses from brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm are arranged on a colorful background with blue, red, and yellow sections.

How I Upgraded My Camera Gear Through MPB

From clearing out cameras to upgrading lenses, MPB supports photographers and videographers at every stage of their creative journey. It offers a trusted hub for buying and selling high-quality used gear. It is a safe, reliable, and straightforward way to sell gear you don't want and score great deals on the gear you do.

Two bear cubs stand on hind legs playfully sparring in a grassy field, while a bald eagle perches calmly on a branch against a blurred forest background.

Ethical Wildlife Photography: A Field Guide to Photographing Animals with Respect

A crew working for an unnamed wildlife photographer fed and used cellophane paper to lure a fox for the 'perfect shot' in Grand Teton National Park. Since the fox was conditioned to human food, park officials euthanized it. The photographer got his shot. The fox paid with its life. Learning about this event became the North Star for Arthur Lefo, an OM SYSTEM Ambassador who has spent almost a decade photographing iconic wildlife. Lefo believes that ethical wildlife photography isn't just about rules, but respect.

Collage with: a professional studio light above green plants, the same light set up in an industrial-style room, and a close-up of a decorated stone. “PetaPixel Showcase” text appears in the lower right corner.

ProMaster’s Air Support Stand Changed How I Light My Photos

We tested ProMaster’s latest lighting products, including the groundbreaking Air Support Light Stand and the Ultrasoft US1014RGB LED, a great companion to ProMaster's new stand. Together, they comprise a setup that is fast to deploy, easy to control, and capable of producing beautifully soft, color-accurate light -- a combination that feels purpose-built for hybrid creators who move seamlessly between photo and video work.

A woman kneels with a camera, photographing a wedding ceremony outdoors. She is surrounded by camera equipment, with guests, floral arrangements, and a decorated archway visible in the background.

Your Camera Gear Isn’t Your Only Asset: Why Every Professional Photographer Needs an LLC

As photographers, we often obsess over our gear. We meticulously research the latest mirrorless bodies, spend hours comparing lens charts, and invest thousands in lighting, tripods, and editing software. Our camera bags are often brimming with highly valuable assets, assets we diligently protect with insurance, cases, and careful handling.

Split image: On the left, two astronauts in space suits perform an EVA tethered outside a spacecraft above Earth. On the right, a close-up of an astronaut inside a helmet with reflections on his visor.

Some of the First-Ever Photos Taken in Space Have Been Lovingly Restored

After the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into orbit and followed it up by sending the first person into space, the U.S government responded by forming NASA, and later President John F. Kennedy declared, "We choose to go to the Moon." The Apollo missions are famous, but they were preceded by Mercury and Gemini.

A collection of various camera lenses of different sizes and types arranged in rows against a black background, reflecting slightly on the surface below.

LUMIX S Series Lenses Explained: What Shooters Need to Know

When LUMIX launched its first full-frame mirrorless cameras back in 2019, it wasn’t starting from scratch. The company already had a great reputation among filmmakers with the GH series -- compact Micro Four Thirds cameras that punched well above their weight. But the S Series was different. LUMIX wanted to show it could compete with the top lens companies in full-frame photography and video.

A smiling man outdoors holds up a large camera lens with his left hand and gestures toward it with his right. The logo "PetaPixel Showcase" appears in the lower right corner. Trees and a blue sky are in the background.

The Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro Is What a Budget Lens Should Be

In an effort to learn to love the 35mm full-frame focal length, I took the latest Meike 35mm f/1.8 Pro lens out for a spin. The Meike 35mm f/1.8 is an affordable take on the popular focal length, but it has some handy tricks up its sleeve that belie its lower cost. Many creatives who are looking for a compact and sharp lens will find the Meike 35mm ideal for street photography and travel. I carried it on a little road trip around southern Alberta, and it proved to be a handy companion.

Two framed nature photographs on a wooden surface outdoors; one shows a waterfall with autumn leaves, the other shows a bear walking by a lake with pine trees and misty mountains in the background.

Bringing My Favorite Photos to Life With Lumaprints

Lumaprints' print-on-demand service gave me the perfect way to celebrate two of my most cherished images by turning them into gallery-quality prints, an experience that sparked a deeper appreciation for the craft of printing and why it remains essential for photographers today.

A hand holds a black Lumix camera in focus, with an outdoor basketball court and blurred players and trees in the background.

The Panasonic LUMIX S9 and 18–40mm: A Full-Frame Camera Perfect for Everyday Use

There’s something to be said about carrying a camera that doesn’t feel like a burden. One that disappears into your day, quietly ready to document whatever unfolds. For the past few weeks, that camera has been the Panasonic LUMIX S9 paired with the new 18–40mm f/4.5–6.3 kit lens, and I’ve found myself reaching for it more often than expected.

A wooden table displays framed photos of a bear in water, a white bird among green leaves, and an unframed photo of a horse running in surf. A glass vase with dried grass sits beside the photos by a window.

How Lumaprints’ Custom Printing Services Empower Photographers

In the world of custom photography prints, where options are plentiful but often overwhelming, Lumaprints stands out by offering a straightforward, user-friendly service that focuses on quality and convenience. PetaPixel interviewed Lumaprints CEO Kenneth Li to learn more about the company and how professional photographers can use Lumaprints to automate selling prints online.

A vibrant hillside covered in purple and yellow wildflowers overlooks a distant mountain peak bathed in golden sunlight, beneath a sky filled with colorful clouds at sunrise or sunset.

Luminar Neo Supercharges Your Photo Editing Workflow

In the ever-evolving world of digital photo editing, staying ahead of the curve means finding tools that streamline the process without sacrificing quality. Skylum's Luminar Neo positions itself as a solution for both professional photographers and hobbyists looking to enhance their workflow with speed and precision.

A tripod and a gray carrying case labeled "Ulanzi" rest on a tree branch in a green, leafy forest. The Petapixel Showcase logo appears in the lower right corner of the image.

Ulanzi’s New GlideGo Tripods Are Excellent for Photo and Video

Ulanzi continues to innovate with its new JJ05 and JJ06 GlideGo Tripods. Designed to meet the diverse needs of content creators, these tripods combine portability, durability, and professional-grade features to cater to both photographers and videographers. We went hands-on with the new Ulanzi JJ06 tripod to see how it fares.

11 Pro Tips to Instantly Elevate Your Golden Hour Photography

The long days of summer offer a unique advantage for photographers: an abundance of golden hour light. This seasonal extension of the coveted 'magic hours' provides more time for photographers to work with the soft, beautiful light that can transform a scene. Adobe Lightroom and Sony Ambassador Colby Brown shares with PetaPixel his process of mastering this unique light, providing practical techniques for both in-camera capture and post-processing.

Aiarty Rescues Your Noisiest Footage and Photos from the Darkest Scenes

Night skies. Distant wildlife. Handheld footage from earlier DSLR cameras with tiny sensors and high ISO. This is where cameras -- even the most capable ones -- begin to struggle. The result? Noise. Sometimes it's manageable; often, it's not. In fact, these grain, random specks, and compression artifacts have long plagued photographers and videographers.

Open cardboard box with three Huion drawing tablets, each displaying colorful digital art. Blue background with "UP TO 30% OFF," sale dates, and Huion and Amazon logos. "Shop Now" button at bottom left.

Save Up to 30% Off Huion Creative Tablets for Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day has arrived, and Huion is offering fantastic deals on its industry-leading graphic tablets, making it the perfect time to elevate your creative workflow. Whether you're a digital artist, illustrator, or graphic designer, these discounts give you the chance to upgrade your gear and save big.

A family of four, two adults and two young girls, kneel and hug each other, smiling and laughing together in an outdoor urban alleyway. The image is shown side by side in different lighting or filter styles.

Imagen’s New AI Profile Shop Empowers Photographers of All Levels

Imagen, the AI-driven post-production platform for photographers, has launched the Profile Shop, a new digital marketplace featuring AI editing profiles. Through the new marketplace, seasoned photographers can monetize their curated styles, and up-and-coming photographers can more easily develop a personal style all their own.