Apple QuickTake 100. Source: CNET
On September 7th, 1979 British group The Buggles released their debut single entitled "Video Killed the Radio Star". The hit single was a nostalgic account of a singer's career cut short by the rise of television as a main stream medium. Over half a century later, television broadcasters are beginning to realize that their dominance may have their days counted.
However, this trend is also visible in the photography markets, where at the turn of the millennium almost everyone had a point-and-shoot camera but within the last 10 years its market share has begun to quickly fall, where traditional camera usage dropped 12% over 2011.
However, this trend is also visible in the photography markets, where at the turn of the millennium almost everyone had a point-and-shoot camera but within the last 10 years its market share has begun to quickly fall, where traditional camera usage dropped 12% over 2011.
Conversing pigeons. Ireland 2011. Photo: ER ©
This revolutionary device was first available to the masses in 1994 by the Apple QuickTake 100 followed the Kodak DC40 a year later; these cameras could connect to personal computers and had electronic chips that adjusted parameters such as exposure. The digital age of photography has made it possible for anyone to instantly snap a photo and share it, but it came at a time where cell phones were also taking over communication. It wasn't long before the camera and the phone became one device, and by 2008 Nokia sold more camera phones than Kodak sold film based simple cameras, making the Finnish tech giant the largest camera manufacturer.
Cellular phone carriers have ensured that society develops a need for their do-it-all devices that come with a hefty monthly bill, and not only one but two cameras (front & back), just in case. Having cell phones nearby is a habit that can quickly develop into an addiction, keeping us constantly entertained and filling pockets of cell phone carriers. Do you feel addicted to your cell phone?
It seems like their plan has worked after all, but thats beside the point.
Cellular phone carriers have ensured that society develops a need for their do-it-all devices that come with a hefty monthly bill, and not only one but two cameras (front & back), just in case. Having cell phones nearby is a habit that can quickly develop into an addiction, keeping us constantly entertained and filling pockets of cell phone carriers. Do you feel addicted to your cell phone?
It seems like their plan has worked after all, but thats beside the point.
Biking in Amsterdam. Photo: ER ©
Smartphones give us the ability to do almost anything on the go, and provide a sense of safety unrivalled by any pocket knife or switchblade. However, being able to capture any moment of our lives, whether it is important or mundane, is what makes the smartphone a cornerstone of our daily life. How many weddings, concerts, birthdays or any social gathering have you been where someone has not taken out their smartphone to take a picture?
The fact that smartphones are killing the point-and-shoot camera is not necessarily a bad thing, its just part of necessary cycle of life. Whether we like it or not these pocket sized jack-of-all trades devices are here to stay, at least until the next big thing comes around. Although many of us quickly criticize the millions of "mundane" pictures all over social networks, the point is people choose to capture those specific moments in their lives and share it with the rest of us for reasons only known to them. We are free to judge as much as we want, but what we should hope for is that between the millions of pictures shared daily, some of these will stay and be passed down; so our grandkids can have a picture to point at and say "eh! that was grandpa having some drinks with his friends when he was 20". If thats the case, then no picture was taken in vain.
By: Edmundo Rodrigues
The fact that smartphones are killing the point-and-shoot camera is not necessarily a bad thing, its just part of necessary cycle of life. Whether we like it or not these pocket sized jack-of-all trades devices are here to stay, at least until the next big thing comes around. Although many of us quickly criticize the millions of "mundane" pictures all over social networks, the point is people choose to capture those specific moments in their lives and share it with the rest of us for reasons only known to them. We are free to judge as much as we want, but what we should hope for is that between the millions of pictures shared daily, some of these will stay and be passed down; so our grandkids can have a picture to point at and say "eh! that was grandpa having some drinks with his friends when he was 20". If thats the case, then no picture was taken in vain.
By: Edmundo Rodrigues
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