Opinion

How Photographers Can Protect Their Photos (and Democracy) from Generative AI

Sight was the first of our senses to be technologically shared in a world we did not witness with our own eyes. Photography—writing with light—has historically meant a one-to-one relationship between what was before a camera (defined as a lens focussing light on a recording media) and what came out the other end, created by a human.

Nikon acquires RED

A Seismic Shift: The Ramifications of Nikon’s RED Acquisition

Nikon's surprise acquisition of RED Digital Cinema this week represents a seismic shift in the cinema camera space. It also has far-reaching consequences not only for Nikon and RED but also for the rest of the digital camera industry, including Nikon's biggest competitors.

OM System logo on sunrise backgorund

The Best Is Yet to Come for OM System

The OM-1 Mark II has landed with more of a whimper than a bang. It's a great camera but there's not much new about it. However, the rush to pass judgment on what the lack of novel features means for the future of OM System and Micro Four Thirds at large is premature.

Canon RF Mount

Perhaps We’ve Been Too Hard on Canon and Its ‘Closed’ RF Mount

When it comes to protecting its intellectual property, Canon is among the most litigious. Whether printer ink or lenses for the RF mount, the company spends significant effort shutting down unregistered third party brands. From the outside looking in, this can come off as petty, aggressive, or even greedy.

The Most Forgettable Announcements of 2023

The Most Forgettable Announcements of 2023

This year included some fantastic new cameras, lenses, and accessories. From the Nikon Z8 and the Sony a7CR to the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 and Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, nearly every camera maker brought something amazing to the table. However, some of them also announced products that slipped through the cracks by virtue of being dreadfully boring, if not outright bad.

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.

Beloved gear

The Beloved Photography Gear That Nobody Uses Anymore

As we wrap up 2023, a year that featured a ton of incredible photography gear that will undoubtedly feature in many a photographer's kits for years to come, we began to wonder, "What popular photography gear from years past is much less common now?"

Leica Q3

Leica Q3 Review From a Canon Photographer: Hit and Miss

Like many photographers, I've spent years hunting the impossible combination: a high-quality camera that's also compact. Must haves: a great sensor and a wide aperture wide angle lens. Today, I’ll walk you through the meandering journey that eventually led me to the Leica Q3.

Fujiflim, Please

Fujifilm is the Best Company to Make the Camera of my Dreams

After wrapping our awards, PetaPixel's staff turned its attention to another annual project, "Bold Camera Predictions." The 2024 edition arrives later this week with the help of a special guest, but ongoing internal discussions birthed the camera of my dreams, a Sony RX1R II replacement.

AI models and energy use, negative impacts on the environment

Legislation Must Consider AI’s Energy Demands and Environmental Costs

Much of the focus on the potential hazards of generative AI technology has understandably been on how it impacts artists and copyright ownership, and how it could affect people's jobs and wages. New research shows that the dangers of generative AI go much further and may be catastrophic for the environment.

Why Global Shutter Matters

Using the Sony a9 III for Concerts as Dave Matthews Band’s Photographer

Like most photographers, I’ve never reviewed a piece of gear before. Also like most photographers, I tend to voraciously read reviews each time I consider upgrading. Many of these reviews parse through micro-level analysis of pixel detail, noise levels, and test charts but to me fail to answer the simple question: “will this help me get the shot?”

How Sigma Could Make the fp Great

I have always admired Sigma. It wasn’t regarded in the same league as it is today for its lenses until the Art series came out, but Sigma’s digital cameras have always been singular in design and purpose. The family-owned company has never been afraid to try something new, and honestly, that’s something we need to see a lot more of in the photography world.

Sony a9 III ISO 250 and dynamic range

The Sony a9 III’s Base ISO Reflects the Cost of a Global Shutter

The Sony a9 III is still months away from release but has already sent photographers into a frenzy. The positive buzz around the camera is as high as any camera reveal ever, and with good reason. The a9 III's global shutter system is a complete game-changer for a wide range of photographers and videographers and will enable shots that have long been impossible.

The DJI Wishlist: 6 Features We’d Like to See in Upcoming Drones

It’s been over two years since DJI released the DJI Mavic 3, an upgrade to their incredibly popular Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom series. In this new form factor, they redesigned the battery to offer a whopping 45-minute flight time, added Occusync 3.0 for better flight distance and stability, added 5.1K video resolution, added an onboard SSD (to the Cine version), and experimented with adding a Zoom lens to capture images and video at different focal lengths.

Apple iPhone Clipped Highlights

Critics Are Wrong: It Is Impressive Apple Shot its Latest Event on iPhone

This week's Scary Fast Apple event was significant in mostly expected ways. Apple debuted its new M3 series of chips, launched super-powered new MacBook Pro notebooks, and updated the iMac for the first time since 2021. However, Apple also did something unprecedented: it shot the entire event on the iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphone.

The Baffling Allure of Staged Photos in Photography Competitions

Ah, the world of photography – where the line between candid images and artfully contrived scenes grows increasingly hazy. It’s as if the debate about staged photos and their place in photography competitions never quite loses its luster. But wait, we’ve got another gem to share: the revelation of a prize-winning staged photograph in yet another photography competition.