The Information Age and computer technology have had a mind blowing impact on the business of photography. Like music, consumers now have the capability of ordering their own images printed on quality paper via such online websites as KODAK Easy Share and others. How has the photographer's situation changed because of these advances?
It is obviously a revolution. It is similar to when mp3 files were made readily available on the internet. Now, more and more performing artists are disinterexsted in selling their CD recordings and instead are concentrating on live performances where attendees pay upwards of $100 a ticket. In the future photographers will be selling a service of taking a great image and leaving it to the customer to order all the prints he wants independently of the photographer.
Just as the cheap Brownie camera gave photography to the masses in the early 20th century; computer technology and digital imagery is making a big step forward for the consumer. Digital images, when copyright, free give flexibility to the consumer. It is a modern technology allowing for many more memories than heretofore possible. The shortcomings of film based photography are completely overcome.
I have been a graphic artist for over 16 years, full time. Good photographs employing a Yashica Mat 124 medium format camera were essential for public relations and advertising. Magazine editors are the fussiest animals alive. For editors to accept a photograph that can be used for offset printing is a challenge for even the best photographers. My art work was published in a few presteigious magazines but, the effort, time and expense was formitable.
Then Windows 98 happened. When I uploaded a scanned image of a 35mm print of my artwork, I was awestruck. Because the digital image
could viewed on the computer monitor instead of losing quality during the offset printing process, the quality was amazing. When I realized that the digital image was better than the film, I knew that big changes were coming for photography.
Knowing that I would need to get involved in digital photography I bought an Olympus 2500L for $1350.00. In 1998, this digital slr was the only camera I could find that was within my budget and produce a decent 8x10 print. I still like to use my old medium format camera though.
By 2007, even those pros who were once in a state of denial graduated into digital photography. The advantages can't be denied. We have more control over digital. It is easier to take the image, a lot easier than using my manual focus Yashica Mat.
More control and therefore more creativity is possible with digital. Better yet, the photo printer won't change your work as easily with a digital image. If he does change your image I will know it by comparing the image file stored on my computer.
The concept of the "photograph" will be changed by electronic imaging. Instead of using film, we will be transferring our images for photofinishing via the computer networks. Since the need for traditional photography is going to be limited, it will not continue side by side with digital. I think people will be using traditional means in some specific areas, like classical artwork, amateur or family photos.
With film, in years gone by, there was the concept of "original print," or "proof". The concept of "proof" arose from the even older technology of copperplate prints before the advent of photography. The best copperplate print is the first print off the etching press. After 200 or so prints the quality deteriorates markedly.
The concept of "proof" is a sales tool. There is really no such thing as "proof" in digital photography because the quality of the first print is the same as the last.
More and more the product of the professional photographer will change from a proof to digital information which provides memories to the consumer. After all, photographers primarily provide memories, not proofs. With the introduction of the reasonably priced digital picture frame, even the print will soon be obsolete.
