A triptych of images featuring a pathway with red torii gates, a mountain landscape at dusk with trees, and a snowy glacier. The "PetaPixel Reviews" logo is at the bottom right with blue and white text. Lushfoil Photography Sim Review: The Most Realistic Photography Game Ever
what they found sam mendes Documentary Tells Story of Army Photographers Who Captured Nazi Camp Liberation on 35mm Film
A black and white photo of a large group of people at a formal gathering in 1927. Many are in tuxedos and evening dresses, smiling and facing the camera. The setting suggests a grand ballroom atmosphere. The Original Stock Photo From ‘The Shining’ Has Finally Been Found

Culture

Photography is about far more than capturing an image. How photos are shared and what social issues are impacting the profession are just as important. PetaPixel regularly covers the stories around the culture of photography, how it affects society, and what cultural changes affect the art.
Joshua Holko
A helicopter hovers low above a snowy landscape, stirring up a cloud of snow. A polar bear is visible on the ground amidst the blowing snow.

The Disturbing Double Standard for Polar Bear ‘Protection’ in Svalbard

There have been increasingly absurd regulations being imposed on visitors to Svalbard in recent years, particularly surrounding the protection of polar bears. One of the most contentious of these mandates is the requirement to maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from a polar bear (about five American football fields), no matter the circumstance.

Jeremy Gray
Two vintage photos: on the left, three women in kimonos sit on a bench under blossoming trees; on the right, a traditional Japanese temple stands among trees on a hillside.

19th Century Photos Showcase Japan’s Timeless Beauty

A new video by VX52 Movies on YouTube showcases some of the oldest photos taken in Japan. Captured from 1857 through 1925, the old photos are a brilliant time capsule of Japan as it rapidly and dramatically changed during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Jeremy Gray
A split image: on the left, a close-up of a colorful crystal formation viewed through a magnifying lens; on the right, a person works with scientific equipment in a laboratory filled with tools and devices.

NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Uses His Camera for Science in Space

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, known for his incredible astrophotography, sense of humor, and clever camera contraptions, is scheduled to return to Earth this month after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Before leaving space, Pettit shared some of the awesome science he has done as part of Expedition 72.

Jaron Schneider
A Nikon digital camera covered in dirt and debris, with mud on the lens cap and body, sits on a white surface. The camera appears weathered and likely found outdoors.

Nikon Camera Buried for 7 Years Reunited With Its Owners

This week, a Nikon camera was found buried in the ground near a footpath on the Isles of Scilly. After checking the SD card, it was estimated to have been lost somewhere between 2017 and 2018. After publishing a few of the photos on Facebook, the owner was found just a day later.

Jeremy Gray
Sunset view of a mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, tall evergreen trees, a grassy hillside, and a rustic building in the foreground. The sky is clear with a soft, pinkish glow.

How a Photographer Built the Most Realistic Photography Video Game

Photographer turned game developer Matt Newell's brand new video game, Lushfoil Photography Sim, released today on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It is a beautiful, brilliant video game, and the most realistic photography game ever. PetaPixel chatted with Newell about his inspiration for Lushfoil, how he built it, and what he hopes the game offers photographers and traditional gamers alike.

Jeremy Gray
Two images of a Piranha Plant lamp, styled like the Super Mario character. The plant emerges from a green pipe base labeled "NINTENDO SWITCH." One image shows the plant with its mouth closed, and the other with its mouth open.

The Piranha Plant, Frequent Mario Foe, Is Now a USB-C Camera for Switch 2

During this week's Nintendo Direct, the popular video game company unveiled many new features of its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console, including that it will use the maligned SD Express memory card format and work with many USB-C cameras, not just the official Nintendo one the company will sell as an optional accessory. This has opened the gates for some fun new USB-C cameras, including Hori's adorable licensed Piranha Plant one.