99 years ago, Man Ray photographed Kiki de Montparnasse in the studio, her back facing the camera and her head turned over her left shoulder. A few months ago, that portrait made history as the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction, going for $12.4 million. Portraits have a unique ability to capture a specific time and place—but they also have the potential to last for generations. Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Swanson, and Kiki de Montparnasse live on in photographs by Yousuf Karsh, Richard Avedon, Edward Steichen, and Man Ray, respectively. In portrait photography, trends ..read more

Great landscape photography comes with a range of unique challenges, and having the right gear for the job is essential. As a writer and camera gear reviewer for Shotkit, I’ve worked in all weather conditions in and around the beautiful Tweed Valley in northern NSW (Australia) using a range of equipment. This means striking the right balance between size and weight, along with performance quality, to ensure I have the right tools for the best possible results. In this guide, I’ll break down the essential gear for landscape photography to help you take stunning photos, whatever challenges the e ..read more

The 500px Global Photography Awards winners have been selected and we can’t wait to share the deserving winners of the 2022 edition with you. This initiative was created to recognize and highlight the exceptional talent within the community, with the bonus of walking away with prizes that can help you develop your passion for photography. In December, we launched our second edition of the awards and increased our categories for our community to have even more chances to win. Today we will be announcing all 6 winners and 5 runners-up for each category. The diverse categories aimed to give all p ..read more

500px is launching a new contest to recognize and celebrate the 500px Licensing community. A growing, fresh, and contemporary portfolio is often a key to success in commercial photography. With Licensing Rush we’ll be highlighting those photographers who make regular additions to their Licensing collection. Once signed up, we’ll be looking at all photos submitted and accepted to Licensing between March 1 – 31st. The participating photographers with the most photos accepted within the timeframe will win one of three cash prizes. Prizes: 1st Place: $300 USD  2nd Place: $150 USD 3rd Place ..read more

Within advertising, there is a lot of thought and psychology behind which images work best at connecting with an audience and how these images are presented. Brands are always looking for ways to ensure that viewers not only remember their advertisements, but also feel a resonance or connection with the imagery. In 2018 Right Left Agency conducted a study in collaboration with a USC Master of Science student that measured the effectiveness of using first-person point of view (POV) in advertisements. The study observed two Facebook ads. The only difference between the two ads was that one pho ..read more

For William Henry Jackson in 1870, it was Yellowstone Lake. In 1904, for Edward Steichen, it was a tucked-away pond nestled in the woods at Mamaroneck, New York. For Eliot Porter in 1962, it was the woodlands of New England. For Galen Rowell, it was Half Dome in Yosemite in 1972. For some of history’s greatest photographers, discovering the perfect landscape turned out to be a defining moment, casting their entire practice in a new light, and opening up unexpected opportunities. Landscape photography inspires us to seek out the most sublime corners of our planet. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we ..read more

At 500px amazing photography is at our core, but these photos would not be possible without the talented people behind the lens. The 500px Spotlight series highlights the global and diverse photographers that are part of the 500px Community. This week we are excited to introduce you to Licensing contributor Olha Dobosh. Olha Dobosh is a Ukrainian photographer currently residing in Catalonia, Lleida. Her 500px Licensing Portfolio features stunning lifestyle photography that the 500px team is constantly impressed by. Olha has a talent for capturing details and visually illustrating a story throu ..read more

Ever since Irving Penn first started experimenting with white paper backdrops in the 1940s—and later, an old, repurposed theater curtain from the 1950s—portrait photographers have been pushing the boundaries of what backgrounds can look like. Far beyond the scope of the conventional, artists on 500px have found new ways to use traditional studio items—such as seamless paper—or tried new materials entirely, incorporating unexpected flourishes like dried roses or colorful vintage fabrics. While easily overlooked, the right background is often the secret ingredient for elevating a photograph, whe ..read more

According to a new trend report by Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, 2023 will be a year of exploration, with travelers interested in bustling city culture, rustic outdoorsy lodges, and unconventional “hidden gem” destinations. For commercial photographers, who not only stay up-to-date on trends but also help set them, the new year poses an opportunity to expand your horizons and get creative with new or unexpected locations. You don’t have to travel far to find interesting spots; in fact, shooting locally, in your own neighborhood, can mean capturing unique images no one else has. Browsing the ..read more

According to one survey from a few years back, freelancers working in creative fields lose a whopping £5,394 annually by working for clients for free (or for “exposure”). A separate study of creative workers in the UK found that 60% of those under the age of 30 had not been paid for all the hours they worked for the previous month. Further research suggests that there’s a pay gap in the creative freelance market, with women paid less than men doing the same job. In other words: freelancers in creative industries are often overworked and underpaid. While raising your rates can be daunting, it’s ..read more