How Smartphones Are Changing Photography: The Numbers Are In
Full Story: Wired
Take that, older technology!
I photograph a lot - which is why it was a bit heartbreaking when I lost my Canon during my move to Seattle. (Mostly because I had a lot of unsaved photos! Back everything up, people!) Anyways, that means I think a lot about photography, and lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how it’s become part of our tech revolution.
I mean, it wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a photograph was literally unbelievable. And then, it was still black and white and you had to hold still for some time. And, of course, it was a costly souvenir. Flash forward around 200 years. We can now not only record photographs, but moving picture - with sound! So, that’s pretty mind-blowing for me. But here’s the best part. Today, this is so simple and trivial, that it’s an unrelated accessory to another mind-blowing device, namely, the wireless (!) telephone. (It’s an accessory!)
Of course, though the technology to photograph is fairly trivial at this point, the impact which camera-phones have is not.
Firstly, along with digital cameras in general, it has brought art to the public. People who never otherwise would have dabbled in image-art are now involved, or at least exposed if they at least use the camera feature on occasion (which seems true of the people I know). Also, the extensive use of camera-phones means that even people who aren’t taking the photos are likely being exposed to more photos than they otherwise would be. (Just consider all the photos I see on Tumblr, for instance.) The difference between camera-phones and digital cameras in general, is that digital cameras helped bring the costs and burden (i.e. film) and even entry level skills (i.e. you can just snap away at no cost), but camera-phones have made it ubiquitous. Again, capturing art and imagination from every corner of life, but also making a difference in the non-art world, helping document crimes, finds, and all manner of interesting, important, entertaining - and fleeting - sights. (Again, just check out tumblr.)
And this is just the beginning. “Camera-phones”, or “phones” as they’re now known, are just getting started. With better tech, better apps, and a broader infrastructure for sharing photos, I think we’re gonna see this trend grow in a big way, with possibly qualitative effects. Either way, I need to get a new camera or maybe a new phone!
