Are Mobile phones killing photography?
Being photographed when you go out is now a given. It used to be only celebs that had to worry what they looked like when they left the house, but now you can be a nobody and yet find yourself on someone’s Facebook page at your local coffee shop in your trackies!
I was amazed when I first joined Facebook (only a few short months ago, I’m a late bloomer to socializing behind a computer screen), it truly surprised me as I friended more friends how many photographs there were of me and my children on the internet! It didn’t bother me, I guess I should consider myself lucky that people aren’t too embarrassed to admit they’re friends with that crazy lady who blogs about talking toothbrushes, blogging dogs and friends being caught in their underwear! (If you don’t know this about me, pretend you didn’t read that, OK?)
Let’s face it social media isn’t going to disappear any time soon, and if you do something embarrassing there’s a real good chance you will be photographed doing that really embarrassing thing! It all comes down to one thing, mobile phones and their cameras! So is this a good thing that people are taking more photos than ever? Or is it slowly, painfully killing the art of photography and great cameras?
With Facebook Instagram feeds going crazy, and everyone from children to Presidents taking selfies, and crazy lady bloggers creating websites, is it destroying the appreciation of accomplished photographers? Personally I think yes and no. I can take a million pictures, but I can still appreciate the difference between my photos and those of a professional photographer. When I see some of the amazing photographs on Websites, or at exhibitions I am in awe at the talent of these photographers! An iPhone can not compete with that, iPhones and other mobile phones can take amazing photographs, even Annie Leibovitz admitted a couple of years ago that iPhones take amazing photos, some people believe she helped destroy the sales for middle of the range cameras because of her statement.
Still, the one thing that mobile phone or even middle of the range cameras can not compete with is quality prints. For the most part we live in a print free world, most photo’s are not printed these days, they are viewed on digital frames, computers or television screens. And if we are printing out a good old 5 x 7 or even 8 x 10 image for the fridge or for grandparents the quality is just fine. It is when it comes to large prints, prints on canvas, posters or foam core that you just can’t get quality prints using small cameras or phones.
For the average everyday photo who cares if the lens isn’t the greatest, the image isn’t sharp enough, or how many pixels it has, or what resolution it’s taken in, most people don’t even think about that stuff, they just want to capture their child blowing out their candles, or their sister walking down the aisle, and if they capture a great, true, raw moment isn’t that what counts?
I do think we have all gone a little photo mad, sometimes we spend too much time looking through a lens rather than enjoying the moment unfolding in front of us. We can be too busy thinking of what a great shot this would make on Facebook, that we spend time photographing our meals, or coffees whilst they go cold! At birthday parties now, we are all looking through our lens instead of enjoying the moment, you look around and it’s a sea of cameras, and how often do most of us ever look back on these photos?
Still I love taking photo’s (clearly), and I think if people are enjoying it then let them continue to do so with whatever camera or phone they have access too. The world is an amazing place, and if we get pleasure out of photographing it, then more power to us!
In my opinion I don’t think phones are killing photography, I do agree they probably did wipe out the middle market cameras, but I don’t think they have stopped us appreciating the work of the amazing and talented photographers out there. I know for me, when I see a beautiful image in a magazine or on a print I am as impressed as I was before phones became cameras, and I will continue to be impressed with these amazing photographers, they inspire me!
So whatever camera you choose to snap away with, I say happy snapping,
be your own truth, mg
This blog entry was written by Mackenzie Glanville, you can see more of Mackenzie’s work at reflectionsfromme.com
Photograph of crowd of people taking selfies is by getty images.
Please share your thoughts on this topic below
constructionchic
I don’t know why people take so many photos. On one hand I understand capturing the moment to remind you of good times when skies are grey. But on the other, isn’t trying to capture the moment just an indirect attitude of living in the past? Maybe I’m looking into it too much 😛
Mac
We can go a little photo mad I agree, but for me it is not so much living in the past as it is celebrating the past. Maybe that’s the same thing lol, but I love looking at beautiful images, it gives me joy, and kids love seeing pics of them as little tots too. It’s fun, but it can seem crazy when we miss real life because we are looking through our camera phones. Thanks for the comment, love it xx