Photography in the future?

[ChrisHeathcote]

On my way back from dropping my son off at school, I happened to overhear a conversation between a group of mums, which just for a change sparked my interest. They were discussing children's photos and what value they had, one commented about the fact that "now with mobile phones and everything being digital, what was the point of them" and that all their photos were "stuck in a drawer".
This started me thinking about what the future holds for photography. What crossed my mind is that for this sector of people, if for example they were getting married, they would not be willing to pay the rates that a pro would charge so normally this would be the territory of the "weekend warrior." However now cameras are so accessible, are these people more likely to go down the route of asking a friend who has a camera, collating guest photos etc, rather than paying someone. Certainly if you look at the number of threads that go along the lines of "a friend has asked me to shoot." This could be an indicator. Now on the other side of the coin, you have the people that are willing to pay for quality photos. These are those who look at the work first, those who are willing to pay a pro for the quality and professionalism rather than the weekend warrior. So back to the original topic, in years to come, could we see a decline in the number of part time photographers and professionals becoming niche again.

Please note I am not arguing the rights and wrongs of part time or full time and saying that one is better than the other, I happen to know some very good part time photographers. This is just a thought I had on the future of something I love.

Discuss

 

[Phil V]

There's nothing new here, there have always been people who put no value on photography, some who put some value, and some who value it greatly.

There's a slight shift with the state of the economy, and there's a slight shift when photography is a more popular hobby (some of us are old enough to have witnessed cycles).

But I honestly don't see the sky falling. It's odd that it's the whole general public, even some keen amateur photographers see no value in photography, but there's still people out there that see the point, and there's no point trying to convince those that don't.

Back to the economic point, Venture didn't go tits up due to the proliferation of Iphones, or even because their business practices were questionable, their business model was sustainable whilst ever the average man in the street had spare cash for luxuries like wall art.

There may be a market in future for someone to 'collate' pictures from weddings, but it'll never be comparable to hiring a pro.

 

[cambsno]

Times change, and photography will evolve. Go back 40 years and a photographer was pretty much a must have at any wedding - if you wanted good pics you needed one as the average jow would probably not get many good pictures. Back then too I guess, that the couple would only expect a couple of dozen images from the day. In the case of my parents (1969) I think they were all B&W.

Now, even phones can take decent pics, 50% of marraiges fail, so a photographer is often of less importance as there will be thousands of family pics floating around so will always get enough.

Remember that 30 years ago we needed to go to printers to get things done, now we can do most ourselves. Same with designing. Now, we can easily knock up a decent website in an hour on our PC.

No doubt in 30 years cameras will be totally different to now - but I think over the next 10 years things wont move on too much, aside from consumer cameras being able to do so much more.

 

[KIPAX]

They were discussing children's photos and what value they had, one commented about the fact that "now with mobile phones and everything being digital, what was the point of them" and that all their photos were "stuck in a drawer".

I know what they mean.. My missus has hundreds and hundreds of photogrpahs hidden away in a drawer somewhere..I agree.. whats the point..

However I still sell actual photographs from my website.. they sell quite well.. I ahve only recently started to offer small social media size files... havent sold any yet..

People still seem to value photogrpahs

 

[ChrisHeathcote]

It's good to hear the different viewpoints and to hear from a professionals angle, I was just wondering whether those people who would traditionally only spend on a couple of hundred quid, would start to look more at using friends and family snaps of the day, with maybe the person with the biggest camera taking a couple of badly posed formal photos. Rather than hiring the cheapest person they could find.

 

[ChrisHeathcote]

And I agree there will never to a comparison with a pro. Maybe the general opinion of pro photographers will increase and they're abilities be more highly appreciated.

 

[ghoti]

And I agree there will never to a comparison with a pro. Maybe the general opinion of pro photographers will increase and they're abilities be more highly appreciated.

There are plenty of amateurs who are just as capable, if not more so, than many "pros". The idea that just because someone is "pro" they cannot be compared with amateur efforts is silly.
The way things are going I wouldn't put many eggs in the photography basket. Photography is getting exponentially easier and more accessible. Within ten-fifteen years capability for true focus manipulation in post-production will be ubiquitous. As will authentic lighting effects. The "golden hour" will be reproducible at noon on a grey day. At the click of a mouse. Cutting edge software can already do this to the extent that it is impossible to tell it's "faked". Once this becomes widely commercially available there will be little left to photographic skill. Composition, maybe, and that's about it.

Professional photography may survive only as a luxury. Big-name, celebrity, photographers hired as status symbols ("My wedding was shot by XYZ don't you know?") and whatnot. It will become an exclusive market. Your "jobbing photographer" for Mr & Mrs Average-Customer is an endangered species.

 

[jon ryan]

Press, sports, product, portrait, medical, forensic...loads more, all needing more than a clever camera and software.

A camera is a tool. It's about how you use it.

 

[Merc]

The future of photography looks bright. As long as the kids want to learn. Happily my son (aged 6) would rather come out with his old man than sit in with computer games. He's already won a calendar competition and sold work.


That's Ma Boy!!!! by Mark A Jones (Andreas Jones Photography), on Flickr


The future of photography by Mark A Jones (Andreas Jones Photography), on Flickr

No doubt there will be fewer "Pro's" but photography will live on beyond all the developments. I know some absolutely carp "Pro's" but also know some amazing amateurs.

 

[ChrisGilbert]

Interesting and very encouraging illustrations, Mark. I recently worked with a bunch of kids at a local school and they were overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One thing is certain though and that is that they will not be growing up with the 36 frame parsimony with which ex-film photographers grew up with. Its - shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot, laugh, shoot, delete, delete, delete, shoot, shoot, delete, delete, shoot ..... It's going to evolve, certainly and they will shape it, although I am also sure that some aspects will remain fairly predictable - and I say that in a nice way rather than a boring, conventional way.