Manufacturers and Developers
In relation to your own practice and professional activity:
What is the impact of ever changing technology
I think we live in a world where the novelty of photography is still very much present as it was back when it was becoming more accessible in our daily lives. We just happen to live in a time that gives us the ability to build cameras that we can carry around with us, cameras that can produce still and motion all in one - which leads us to produce more images and spend more money on the ever changing gadget, which seems to lead the consumer to believe that there is a need to constantly update, because I feel some believe its the technology that makes the photographer.
What challenges has this presented you with?
When I first made the leap into the digital photography from the analogue world I did get overwhelmed with the amount of other photographers out there. It was daunting and a big investment, to begin with, but after committing to it and realizing I still had something to offer as a photographer and did not have to give up shooting analouge it was less overwhelming.
How have you embraced (or rejected) changing technology?
Though I have not given up shooting analouge, I have embraced digital and what comes with it.
How do you think the way cameras are marketed affects people’s perception of the value of professional photography?
I feel that some people will buy a camera (or use one they have) because they see that as a better way to spend their money and take their our photos, thinking, again it’s the camera that makes the photographer, and sometimes it works out, but by doing that they dismissing the value of your time and skills as a photographer.
I think that point of view will always be around, and I feel that it spreads beyond photography. There are a lot of people do understand the value of the professional photographer and are willing to invest.
The Filters of Citizen Journalism
(extended/edited form the discussion)
Personally, I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to this topic.
One part of me goes back to photographer Chase Jarvis saying " The best camera is the one you have" Which I think is true, even if it's a phone.
I very much enjoyed reading about Damon Winters choice and reasons for using his phone, not only did he capture images that he would not have with a larger camera, but he was able to notice things about his own practice.
I think sometimes as photographers we have to put our egos aside and put the story first, and that sometimes can be a challenge. The fact we have technology that allows us to add a bit of our own style using this medium I think is a bonus.
I do have a hard time with how saturated the world of Instagram and other social media platforms are, and not everyone tells an honest story, or rather the story can be very one sided and we have the ability to curate how we want to see the world, which leads us to see/follow the people that have views, that seem to solely aline with one view of the world which I feel adds to more conflict.
The upside to these platforms and the accessibility to phone and digital cameras, is that it feeds into that a part of our humanity that wants to connect and explore other places and cultures, and hopefully at times provides a glimpse into other worlds that inspire us or help understand that we are not that different.
