around the net, volume 3
May 2, 2008 – 12:30 amWhat is the future of photography? Specifically, for photographers like me, working for commercial clients in a midwestern market?
The professional photography industry is changing in interesting ways, ways that all photographers may not be aware of. “Still” photography is enjoying a renaissance and the quality level of amateur and semi-professional work has elevated dramatically. It’s never been a better time to have photography as a hobby. Professional photographers in some areas are seeing dramatic changes, though, that may not affect photography as a past-time but certainly will as a profession.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the newsrooms of major newspapers. It’s no secret that newspapers are struggling and photojournalists are scrambling to keep up with technology. The answer? Still cameras are being mothballed and in their place: video cameras and sound recorders. Dirck Halstead (well-respected photojournalist) wrote of this shift over a year ago in his compelling piece titled The Coming Earthquake in Photography.
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One particularly notable quote reads, “First, most of the major camera manufacturers that are now associated with still photography will probably be out of business by 2016. Of the majors now selling cameras, I would put my money on only Canon to survive.”
So, two weeks ago I headed to the Ohio News Photographers Association (for newspaper, magazine and television photographers) event and seminars in Columbus, Ohio, to see what’s happening in the news industry and to say “hi” to some old friends. There were no Photoshop seminars or discussions regarding Nikon D3s or Canon Mark IIIs. The entire day’s discussion was about shooting and editing video and capturing compelling audio. One phrase coined at the event was “Final Cut (the video editing software) is the new Photoshop”. There’s plenty of enthusiasm for video among photographers but, to this seasoned soul, little of the romance associated with a battle-scarred Nikon F and 50mm f1.2 and a bag full of pushed Tri-X. Time marches on and at Daylight Photo we’re marching with it. We’re shooting more and more video for our clients, in addition to the commercial photography we specialize in.
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Where you will find romance, though, is in the work of Susan Burnstine, at www.susanburnstine.com. Susan uses a homemade camera to create her dreamy images. A step beyond Holga imagery and uniquely her own, Burnstine’s work carries a personal signature that reminds me of romantic film photographers I remember from the 70s and 80s, like ex-model Sarah Moon (I found some tiny images at the bottom of this page , it’s hard to find her work online) and Joyce Tennyson . There’s just something about film.
Susan is also a founding member of filmwasters.com , a site full of beautful film-based photography . Just going a click or two into the site you will find that, despite my earlier talk of video, photojournalism certainly still does exist. UK photographer Colin Summers has displayed a portfolio of gripping black and white images documenting his travels in the Far East. Struggles with landmines, narcotics, child kidnapping and the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami are all represented. His images are both graphically poetic and brutally revealing, the mark of a true visual journalist.
And though I don’t often point to specific cameras, lenses or equipment, I think the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50 is worth a mention (my point-n-shoot is the earlier DMC-TZ3). Why is this camera notable? Well, this post started with the ways the photography industry is changing and this new camera represents much of the latest and greatest. In addition to the things we photographers always look for, like quality images, a large LCD screen and a 28-250mm (equivalent on 35mm) lens, the camera also captures in 720HD wide screen video and has Wi-Fi capabilities. It’s possible (with the included 12 months of T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi service) to upload your images directly from the camera to your online Picasa web album (the free online photo-sharing service from Google).
Think about that: a point and shoot camera that records hi-definition, 30 fps video, that will also wirelessly upload photos to the internet upon command. That’s a long way from the Nikon F.
See you on Monday with a new instructional video. Have a great weekend, I plan to get out and shoot some for fun…
- Jim T.
| A little 21 second video made with my point’n’shoot Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3. |
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5 Responses to “around the net, volume 3”
Very interesting post, and quite scary. But will video ever produce the same quality still shots? Of course one day it will, but won’t the still technology stay ahead of it? I can’t imagine shooting video for a shot I’d blow up much bigger than newspaper size, so maybe this is all you are talking about. In this time of digital when most high quality artists are shooting large format film still, I find it hard to believe fashion ad art photographers finding the quality they need in digital video recorders.
By anonymous on May 2, 2008
I don’t know about what will the future for still photography among those who try to make living out of it, but at least for me as amateur still photography is still the only way to go.
If I would be doing video, my hiking trips and other vacation activities would start to take whole lot more time and things would get even worse back home, when I would hours of material that needs editing.
With this in mind, I prefer to do my best to become better still photographer.
By Juha Ylitalo on May 2, 2008
Thanks for the comments, it made me realize I left out an important point (a preface paragraph, now added).I agree, Juha, packing a still camera for fun is my preferred way to go, too. Photography is my passion and always will be. Heck, I still shoot film (a pinhole camera piece is coming up).
On the professional front we’re seeing big changes in the way media is delivered, shifting from print to electronic media. Flickr and the microstock agencies are aware of this, too, and are now including video content. It’ll be interesting to see where it all goes.
By Jim Talkington on May 2, 2008
Thanks for the review Jim, I have to agree that in the commercial world, especially journalism you need to embrace the changes. I personally still carry a film based body around but for how much longer, who knows !
By Colin Summers on May 3, 2008
Susan’s work has captivated me for some time, not only is she creative she’s wicked talented with a lo-fi camera.
By btezra on May 5, 2008