Are more people into creative photography now that the world's gone digital?
By vivasuzi
@vivasuzi (4127)
United States
December 21, 2007 9:13pm CST
I have always loved photos and so have my family members, however now that the world has gone digital, I find that EVERYONE is into photography in one shape or form. I am not going to start a career in it, but I do love trying to take fun photos, applying different affects, and making things out of my pics.
Do you think this is BECAUSE of the digital age? It's now easier to play with pics because of computers and the fact that you can take so many of them easily. Plus, a lot of new fancy programs are out that allow you to apply special effects even when you know hardly anything about computers.
Finally, do you think this is making it harder for real photographers? I found a lot of ads for photographers when I was looking for one for my wedding. It seems that there are just so many of them now. It's not like they lower their prices due to the competition though!
So what are your thoughts? Are you more into photography now than before?
3 people like this
7 responses
@Lalitshukla (314)
• India
22 Dec 07
Yes, that's right, because its easy to see the results of your effort.. more people are turning to it now than before.
2 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Yep a lot of people can easily do basic photo editing, but I still think it takes someone a little more talented to do the advanced photo editing. Even I, a computer person, can't edit photos as much as I would like to be able to. That's the only thing keeping photographers in business :)
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Yes, more people are into photography. I am doing photography pro and I don't see more competition just because of digital media.
Still pro photography require huge investment and taking pictures is not all about finger movement.
Same thing with Photoshop and graphics.
Yes, it is easier to get great results, but good photography is time consuming as always and it takes an eye and talent ti see world from right angle.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
22 Dec 07
I met so many good and bad wedding photographers. Those who have more clients are not the best, they are the best with marketing...
I am going to take wedding pictures today, for reception only.....
Wedding photography is very easy and very difficult....time consuming and too many people are grabbing your arm with crazy ideas during the wedding.
Wedding planners are the worst, many times I have to tell them to let me do my job....
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Yeah I guess our photographer was lucky b/c we gave her creative license. I told her what I liked at the start and that was it! I don't think people really bugged her during the wedding.
Wow, wedding planners, never thought of that. I'm sure they are a pain! It doesn't make sense they would even concern themselves with your photography since it's your job, but they probably like to run the entire show.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Yes I agree it takes time and talent to make fantastic pics, however with all the competition out there it's probably harder for the best photographers to get noticed. Like if I meet with 5 wedding photographers, I'm probably just going to pick one of those even if there are better out there b/c maybe I don't know it could be better. I personally picked the best one I could find :) And she was a Graphic Artist too so I knew everything would be great, but I can imagine some people who just don't know any better.
@kareng (59050)
• United States
28 Dec 07
I think there are a lot more people using digital cameras. Why? It's easy! This has opened the doors to many who wouldn't bother with a 35 mm camera to take pictures. You seen kids all the way to seniors with digital cameras now.
I do think it will hurt the "original" photographers to a point. The established ones will be ok, but the up and coming ones may experience a harder to get into the market kind of thing.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
22 Dec 07
I think that digital photography has exploded now that it is within the reach of the average Joe. A digital camera can be had for as little as $40. A photo paint program can be free. The computer can already be in the house for other reasons.
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The professional photographer's profession is safe. He or she is an artist. Like the artist he is known for his particular style, not just for the tools of his trade and how many people use them.
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The tools of the art trade have fallen as well. The number of artists has skyrocketed too. However, the works of Vincent van Gogh are still climbing in value. The art trade is thriving, even in the trade of works by modern artists. Art is considered a great investment.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Well my digital camera was not 40$ ;) but I get your point! Many websites do let you play around with photos for free and a lot of cameras come with software nowadays too.
I think you are right about the professionals. My photographer took awesome pics at my wedding. A lot of times she used angles and things I would not have thought of. I think I could still take great pics, but I don't have the same artistic side she did.
So it sounds like what you are saying is that the GOOD photographers and artists will always stand out, even in a world where there are hundreds of each. Makes sense to me!
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
22 Dec 07
Oh, there is one part where I think photographers are losing money... now that people can take pictures so easily they may not go to a studio every year for their kids pictures. Why do that when you can take it yourself ?? I know people still go for milestone pics in their kids life (newborns, 1 year, etc) but I doubt people will go every single year like we did as kids. Now that I can take an 8x10 pic myself, I'll probably have more fun taking the pics in a fun environment instead of a studio.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
23 Dec 07
Yet THEIR numbers are increasing. You can't walk into a Walmart and not find a photographer who won't do a 'Kid With Santa' shot. It does take talent to get the most out of kids. Their costs, if they are going digital, even in some respects, are coming down too.
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It is also possible that photographers are simply moving around. There are LOTS of parents that want EVERY occasion professionally shot. Shutter bugs are still shooting, trust me. There are also now new customers for shutter bugs, like elders for their anniversaries, parties and such. Many of them won't do digital.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Dec 07
I think because of the wonders of the digital world of photography, the computer and things like photoshop, yes, one can be more creative and do things that couldn't be done before with regular film photography, but I have to admit..One, I don't even have a digital camera yet (of course do hope to get one, someday but the one I have in mind I would need a loan for it..LOL). Two, all my work is still on film, slides and prints...thankfully I have a scanner that allows me to transform my images into the digital format.. I'm still a throw back though. I still love the film format of photography and can develop my own film and prints..though haven't in awhile...I still putter around with my Nikkormat EL-W 35mm film camera that I got in ..gasps..1977, and yes, it still works. Not to be a downer..but I wonder if most digital cameras have the capability to last as long as the film camera...I mean think of it..When there's more electronics involved it's apt to break down more. While yes, many pro photographers have made the switch from film to digital (and I consider myself in the pro category) many still prefer, like I do the film format camera. I know one pro photographer who has about five different cameras...all film format!
And yes, it is making it more difficult for us pro photographers to get work now since just about anyone with a point and shoot digital camera can be a "photographer" ...drat! I'm having a heck of a time now wading through all the competition that is worse now than ever. :(
@fireash (16)
•
22 Dec 07
yes indeed! almost everyone is into photography with some touch of graphics coz of computer software nowadays, such as photoshop, illustrator, etc.."Graphics meets photography or vice-versa"
yeah it is.. it'll be hard for some photographers coz of the very tight competition, considering of their numbers...
yes i could definitely say that i'm into photography than ever before..
=)
@ashjoe76 (1422)
• India
26 Dec 07
It's true that digital cameras has made everything so easy for those who need to make photogrpahy a career. But a true artist will always have a special place. Even as the process of taking pictures get easier, it is still difficult to bring that special touch to your pictures unless you have the patience and dedication for it. Yes, there are so many new professional photographers now, but I don't think that all of them rise up to our expectations. Photography as an art is something that we have to learn eventually, and digicams just make it a little easier for those who really care for it. For others, it offers instant gratification, and nothing else.
