We love David Bergman and Adorama TV’s great videos, and this recent video is a doozy – especially so as it answers one of those big photography questions in a clear and informative way.

So, to the question itself: just how many megapixels is enough? Well, it’ll depend what you’re shooting of course, but more megapixels typically translate to more image detail.

One key consideration is the that most photos today are viewed on screens with much less megapixels than your camera has – and yes, that includes your smartphone. 

For example, Bergman notes that Instagram uses around 1920 pixels on the longest side. So, even a basic 2 MP camera (around 1600×1200 pixels/1080p) would comfortably meet this minimum requirement. The cover of AP mag for example, is about 3000px on the long edge, which can be met by a 3-4 MP camera.

When it comes to printing, a 4×6 print needs only 2 MP, and a larger 11×14 print would need roughly 13.8 megapixels at 300 PPI (pixels per inch).

So why do we need cameras with 40, 50 or even more megapixels then? Well, the benefit comes with cropping, as every time you crop into your image you lose valuable pixels. But for most photographers shooting most ‘everyday’ subjects, a camera in the 20 to 24-megapixel range offers more than enough pixels for most purposes. 

You can see more of the great AdoramaTV videos on YouTube. 

Cover image: Getty

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 8a, showcasing the latest advancements in its A-series lineup. Priced at $499, the Pixel 8a is engineered to provide the high-end AI functionalities and camera capabilities previously seen in the more premium Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models.

The Pixel 8a features a fresh, user-friendly design with rounded edges, a matte back, and an aluminum frame, making it the most robust A-Series phone to date. It introduces the new Actua display which is 40% brighter than its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, and offers a smoother user experience with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is available in new A-series colors, Aloe and Bay, alongside classic shades like Obsidian and Porcelain, and for the first time, a 256GB storage option.

The Pixel 8a sets a new standard for mobile photography in its price range, featuring a dual rear camera setup with a 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, complemented by a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. Powered by the Google Tensor G3 chip, the device boasts an array of AI-driven features such as Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser, enhancing photo and video quality and user experience.

The Pixel 8a integrates Google’s cutting-edge AI to streamline daily tasks. Gemini, the new AI assistant, aids in a variety of functions from composing emails to planning vacations, directly accessible through the device’s power button. Additional features like Circle to Search and Pixel Call Assist further enrich the user experience, making the Pixel 8a a powerhouse of productivity.

The Pixel 8a also focuses on family accessibility and security. An enhanced setup process allows parents and guardians to manage digital guidelines easily. The device is built with the Google Tensor G3 chip and includes the Titan M2 security chip and a built-in VPN, ensuring robust protection against security threats. Remarkably, the Pixel 8a is supported with seven years of software updates, ensuring longevity and security.

While the $499 price tag is great on its own, there is a killer deal to be had. You see, the Pixel 8a is available for pre-order through Amazon here, where you get a bonus $100 gift card! You should act fast, however, as this deal ends on 5/19.

Please note: Some of the above links may be affiliate links, meaning we, or our writers, may receive payment if you purchase one of these items (or other items) after clicking on them.



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Surfers and surf photographers have somewhat of a paradoxical relationship. Professional surfers need photos and footage to earn a living. Amateurs look to them to give us a glimpse of far-away breaks that we might never actually get to see in our lifetime, or help us experience a hint of the stoke when we’re out of the water. On the other hand, surf photography brings attention to previously unknown breaks, which can attract unwanted interlopers, crowds, and the ire of locals.

Perhaps the greatest example of that paradox is Logan Murray, the first New Zealand surf photographer to make his way into American surf magazines . At once revered and hated, Murray is as integral to the development of New Zealand as an international surf destination. His idyllic photos of waves at “Puni’s Farm” on Matakana Island put Aotearoa on the map for the surfing community. However, while the stunning photos adorned the walls of young New Zealand surfers, they also eventually forced Murray to hide his identity to escape vengeful locals spurred on by death threats from southern hemisphere surf mags.

Recently, New Zealand’s 1 News filmed a profile on Murray, detailing his contentious influence on NZ surf culture. It’s worth a look.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been embroiled in controversy this offseason.

Rice is already facing legal repercussions for an incident earlier this year in which he was charged with aggravated assault and causing injuries in a Dallas hit-and-run crash. And now, Rice is under investigation again, according to Dallas’ ABC affiliate, WFAA.

Rice allegedly hit a photographer at a club in Dallas early Monday morning, police sources told WFAA. According to the TV station, Dallas police are interviewing witnesses after the incident took place at Lit Kitchen, a nightclub in downtown Dallas.

While Rice is under investigation yet again, there’s no word yet if an arrest is imminent, as this is a developing story.

Adding to the complexity of Rice’s situation, a judge recently granted temporary restraining orders in two lawsuits against him. These orders reportedly require Rice to refrain from destroying any credit cards, debit cards, or receipts related to purchases made within six hours of the crash. He must also preserve all cell phone records, GPS information, and blood or urine test results taken shortly after the crash.

While these two cases appear to be unrelated, Rice’s trouble with the law is anything but. The Chiefs’ leading wide receiver from a year prior will likely face suspension under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, but Roger Goodell has not yet made a decision on that front.

And it appears that this run-in with the media involving alleged assault could only add to that.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Town Hall Lecture Series wrapped up its final speaker for the season at North Platte Playhouse on Monday.

The series featured speakers from all across the world. North Platte Residents filled the theater to hear photographer and storyteller for National Geographic Magazine, Steve Uzzell, give his Open Roads Open Minds speech.

“The first Open is an adjective. The second Open is a verb. An open road will open your mind,” said Uzzell. “Nobody quite knows why, but anybody who’s driven on an open road, your mind can’t help but wonder, and as it wanders, you will find solutions to things you had never, ever, ever thought of.”

Uzzell’s speech details the creative problem-solving process. He believes that’s what connects us all. As a society, we all spend our day somewhere in the creative problem-solving process. Uzzell illustrates that process through photographs taken from his photo assignments.

As of Tuesday, Uzzell has delivered his speech 647 times in all 50 states. He’s also presented in Alaska once, three Provinces of Canada, and five other countries, including China and India, with a mixed audience of about 650,000 people.

Uzzell shared why he continues to pick up his camera and open the lens.

“I absolutely love the process. There is something incredible and difficult to define in words,” said Uzzell. “Other than to say it’s a discovery every day. Whether it’s a new place or a new culture or a new person or a new event or how the connections that all of us have as human beings share how all of that gets connected, that’s what I am asked to explore and document, and the same things for you, that’s why I keep doing it.”

Uzzell’s influence extends beyond his photography. He is one of four photographers who played a pivotal role in the late 70s, working on Capitol Hill to pass the Copyright Act. This legislation, which allows creators to protect their original work, has extremely impacted the photography industry.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to copyright what you write or photograph; you wouldn’t be able to copyright what you shoot and edit,” said Uzzell. Nobody who is an original creator would be able to own what they do, and we worked very hard for that to happen.”

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