Effect of "point and shoot" cell phones on the profession of photographer?
Dec 6, 2021 22:19:13 #
Sure, luck means a lot in photography. Not shooting with a Canon is bad luck.
Dec 6, 2021 22:41:34 #
OldSchool-WI
Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
Longshadow wrote:
He is you know.
So----this is a caricature and humor site?----Longshadow? Is your take about "Conon" that he is always pulling somebody's leg?-----------ew
Dec 6, 2021 23:08:58 #
OldSchool-WI
Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
To ELShapiro: "While I have you on the line"----with your experience of 50 years in the wedding business----do you "kickback for referrals with wedding planners and others in the wedding biz? And if so--what rates or a scale. Most business have services which record flat rate charges throughout the country. The printing trade has what is called the FRANKLIN CATALOGUE showing costs and pricing for ever move in a printing establishment. Is there such a service "catalogue" sold to the wedding industry or more specifically to the photographers?--------ew
Dec 6, 2021 23:19:41 #
With respect to the title, "Effect of "point and shoot" cell phones on the profession of photographer?"
It certainly makes their life easier whilst us amateurs stand there holding our heavy black boxes. Grabbed this weekend at an event
It certainly makes their life easier whilst us amateurs stand there holding our heavy black boxes. Grabbed this weekend at an event
Dec 6, 2021 23:25:38 #
Racmanaz
Loc: Sunny Tucson!
Longshadow wrote:
Did the Instamatic have an affect on professional photographers?
People are taking the same pictures, just with their phone and more of them.
People are taking the same pictures, just with their phone and more of them.
You are missing some important ingredients that didn't exist when the Instamatic was introduced into the market, the internet which feeds Facebook, Instagram, picture texting and selfies. Without all that, cell phone photography wouldn't have succeeded as great as is has.
Dec 6, 2021 23:28:17 #
Racmanaz
Loc: Sunny Tucson!
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Some critics claim that now that everybody uses "point and shoot" cell phones at all events and through life--photographers will be even in less demand than ever? But maybe the opposite is true? The Kodak boxes that every family had did not end portrait or commercial photography. There will always be a market for quality. And it takes photographic skills to get good photos with any camera---just as it takes artistic skills to make a valuable painting with a brush and paints.
I don't understand why some gripe about cell phone photography, do you feel that it threatens your "real" camera and photographic skills?
Dec 6, 2021 23:37:08 #
OldSchool-WI
Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
Dear Racmanaz: What a foolish question. My topic was not a gripe. My topic asked about the affects on PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY---already a very competitive business-----particularly in the wedding photo business which is a most specialized branch. Again---your question---"do you feel that (cell phones) threatens your "real" camera and photograhic skills ?"-----is beyond the pale!------ew
Dec 6, 2021 23:38:56 #
Racmanaz
Loc: Sunny Tucson!
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Dear Racmanaz: What a foolish question. My topic was not a gripe. My topic asked about the affects on PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY---already a very competitive business-----particularly in the wedding photo business which is a most specialized branch. Again---your question---"do you feel that (cell phones) threatens your "real" camera and photograhic skills ?"-----is beyond the pale!------ew
Oh there have been many posts about this subject, usually it's a gripe which this appears to be no different.
Dec 6, 2021 23:43:43 #
Dec 7, 2021 00:08:06 #
Dec 7, 2021 00:11:07 #
OldSchool-WI wrote:
To ELShapiro: "While I have you on the line... (show quote)
Man- you have a strange perception of the wedding business- all that payola and kickback stuff. Mind you, that was a big thing back in the day in New York with big wedding factory catering establishments and their so-called "house photographers. Someof the goings-on was tantamount to Mafia tactics.
There is no "blue book" kinda thg for weddg photographers. Actually, price-fixing is illegal. Savvy businesses folks set prices based on a sound business plan, overhead costs, costs of sales, logical profit margins, and the quality and value of ther work.
Of course, I will network with other folks n the wedding industry but no money changes hands. We recommend each other based on quality and service and it is important to have good relationships so things a weddigs run smoothly.
I have not advertised for weddings in years- all my wedding work comes in on a referral basis (word of mouth) and one wedding show per year. Not all of my customers have opulent and expensive weddigs- some do. Some of my best wedding clients had their ceremonies at the courthouse and a small party at the Legion Hall. Some are giant ethnic all-nighter kida jobs, and I get big cathedrals and grand ballroom crowed as well. The main commonality is they all want elegant formals, spontaneous candids, some romance, and a photograher that won't become obtrusive and drive them nuts.
As for Mr.Karsh- He was always my portraiture idol! Luck and good fortune somehow brought me to set up shop in Ottawa where I got to meet him, attend several of his lectures and visit his studio at the Chateau Laurier Hotel on several occasions and was able to learn quite a bit about lighting for portraiture. He uses the 8x10 format and orthochromatic film for years. His last 4x5 camera was a Gowlandflex. Another mentor of mine professed that "it ain't HOW you photograher but WHO you photograph that builds your reputation. Too bad I did not listen to him and continued to photograph just regular folks.
Too many folks around here, equate success in photography with fancy equipment. Fact is, especially for the work we are discussing here- weddings, portraits, and most commercial work- it all can be done with relatively simple and reliable equipment. Too much tech is distracting and has more potential for equipment failure at the most inopportune times.
As for the masters of yore- I'm sure that if Ansil and Yosef were with us today, they would use all the great new gear- why not? The stuff they used, back in their time, was state of the art back in THEIR day. Why would they settle for anything less?
Dec 7, 2021 06:18:17 #
I think the more important issue in the debate of the state of photography today is not technology and equipment but the state of mind of today's consumers. As it is often discussed today, the younger generations often do not share the same opinions and habits of older generations. Market studies are showing significant changes in the buying habits of young adults in home goods, autos, homes, food, and yes, even photography products and services.
Young adults, generally are not buying wedding china, big furniture, big cars, or big complex wedding albums and photos. For example, grandparents and parents are often experiencing shock when they try to pass down all the big furniture items, e.g. dining room suites, china cabinets, china, that they inherited and treasured. The younger generations are often not interested in filling their homes with what they consider excess, unneeded items. As far as wedding photography, some are happy with a simple youtube video of their wedding or phone snaps sent out on social media.
Does this mean the end of photography? No, there will always be a need for professional photography and photographers. However, just like the market in other commodities, photographers will need to adapt and adjust their products to fit the demands of the new generation. The rules and conventions are changing. Photographers, rather than complaining about the way things were or should be, should be more concerned about the way things are.
The market (supply and demand), will take care of the rest.
Young adults, generally are not buying wedding china, big furniture, big cars, or big complex wedding albums and photos. For example, grandparents and parents are often experiencing shock when they try to pass down all the big furniture items, e.g. dining room suites, china cabinets, china, that they inherited and treasured. The younger generations are often not interested in filling their homes with what they consider excess, unneeded items. As far as wedding photography, some are happy with a simple youtube video of their wedding or phone snaps sent out on social media.
Does this mean the end of photography? No, there will always be a need for professional photography and photographers. However, just like the market in other commodities, photographers will need to adapt and adjust their products to fit the demands of the new generation. The rules and conventions are changing. Photographers, rather than complaining about the way things were or should be, should be more concerned about the way things are.
The market (supply and demand), will take care of the rest.
Dec 7, 2021 06:49:09 #
Quixdraw wrote:
If anyone was a Technocrat in his day, it was Leonardo. Myriad accomplishments, military, flood control, flight, the list certainly qualifies him at the top end of the Polymath Scale in any age.
Dec 7, 2021 06:53:07 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The only photographer you need to compare yourself against is the one with a better camera.
A better mirrorless camera that is.
Welcome back, and . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Dec 7, 2021 07:15:37 #
Just to bring a point of perspective into this discussion…
I am not sure that quality has the same meaning today as it has previously. For many, the cell phone camera and the images it produces may be perfectly acceptable. Today, people value convenience over quality. Just look back at the development of hifi stereo, etc. In the not so distance past, people invested in multiple high quality components, they accepted the bulkiness of high quality speakers, and they valued high fidelity. As a result of changing trends and attitudes, Bose has completely changed their business model from the late 1970s and 1980s where they were producing high quality speakers. They hardly make speakers any longer, but not focus their efforts on headphones, earbuds, small Bluetooth speakers, etc. I suspect to a degree, the same is happening with photography. Fortunately, photographers and their crafts are still valued. High quality cameras and lenses are still valued and remain available. Let’s just hope in years to come that the R5 and R6 (and other good cameras) don’t fall victim to smart phone cameras in the same manner that the Bose 901 speaker has to earbuds!
I am not sure that quality has the same meaning today as it has previously. For many, the cell phone camera and the images it produces may be perfectly acceptable. Today, people value convenience over quality. Just look back at the development of hifi stereo, etc. In the not so distance past, people invested in multiple high quality components, they accepted the bulkiness of high quality speakers, and they valued high fidelity. As a result of changing trends and attitudes, Bose has completely changed their business model from the late 1970s and 1980s where they were producing high quality speakers. They hardly make speakers any longer, but not focus their efforts on headphones, earbuds, small Bluetooth speakers, etc. I suspect to a degree, the same is happening with photography. Fortunately, photographers and their crafts are still valued. High quality cameras and lenses are still valued and remain available. Let’s just hope in years to come that the R5 and R6 (and other good cameras) don’t fall victim to smart phone cameras in the same manner that the Bose 901 speaker has to earbuds!
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