In an era where AI is increasingly prevalent, improvements in editing programs, and a time when cameras are more available than ever, it raises a question: has photography become overly simplistic?
There existed a period when acquiring a camera was a major commitment—and it remains so—but the commitment was much greater, and the process was more intricate. If you aspired to pursue photography as a profession, you either attended university or apprenticed under another photographer to master the craft. Photography was centered around discovering a narrative, whether it was a portrait, a project, or even a family moment, and capturing and conveying that through the photograph. Nowadays, you can easily access the internet, buy a camera, log into YouTube, and invite a friend to model for you. By the week’s end, you’re taking pictures. Recently, I’ve begun to ponder whether photography has become too streamlined or if it merely appears that way.
It Used To Be Much More Challenging
Advancements in technology have simplified the process of purchasing your initial camera, grasping the techniques, and commencing your journey. There was a time—though I sound antiquated, it’s true—when gaining entry into photography required significant effort. I recall starting out meant absorbing information from magazines and articles to research cameras, followed by visiting a camera shop to determine which model you wished to buy. If a local store wasn’t available, chances are you were ordering your equipment from a national camera chain catalog. When it came time to finalize your purchase, you filled out a form in the catalog, either wrote a check or provided a credit card number, and mailed your order. Following that, you had to educate yourself. You’d head to a bookstore, buy every introductory photography book in sight, walk out, and begin reading! Just those two steps were quite labor-intensive, but today, we inhabit a vastly different landscape.
Film faded into the background, making way for the new DSLR—at a considerable cost. As time passed, prices lowered, leading to opinions that suggested everyone became a photographer. It required the adeptness of observing a scene and achieving the correct exposure. Nowadays, you can pick up a camera without prior knowledge and still produce a well-exposed image. I’m acquainted with photographers who generate visually remarkable photographs but lack adequate technical skills and grapple with various other aspects.
Have we forfeited the artistry? That depends on how one defines art. Is art found in the creation of a technically and compositionally exceptional body of work, or is it simply a skill? Today, we witness some of the most gifted creators ever, a phenomenon I attribute to the prevalence of social media, which facilitates the sharing of our work and gaining audience visibility. The creativity within our community hasn’t diminished; rather, it is the skill that has seen a decline. The saying “I can fix it in Photoshop” has proven detrimental. Many neglect to invest the time in rectifying an error in-camera and instead rely on computer software to make adjustments. It’s reasonable to conclude that the ease of access and operation has diminished skill levels in photography, rendering proficiency less vital. Regardless of how effortless photography becomes, significant and powerful photographs will continue to be realized, and that is the essence of photography.
Do We Lack Purposefulness?
In my opinion, absolutely! There are numerous aspects we can discuss regarding purposefulness in photography. I could elaborate on the photographer’s vision, illumination, framing, lens selection, and settings. We rely on these elements when making deliberate choices, and ‘deliberate’ is the crucial term here. We must consciously consider many aspects in photography. Presently, we seem to be lacking this methodology as photography becomes too simplistic! The more cameras and software make decisions for us with merely a dial turn or mouse click, the more complacent we grow. Consequently, we forfeit the thought process and analytical reasoning.
Consider a newer Lightroom feature: lens blur. This function allows you to blur the foreground or background of your image utilizing AI. Upon first learning of this update, two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, I could foresee newer photographers resorting to this feature to bypass using the appropriate aperture, culminating in yet another “I’ll fix it in Photoshop” episode. Secondly, I thought, WOW! This is transformative and an additional asset in my photographic arsenal. In this context, we intentionally sidestep our analytical skills due to the convenience and efficiency of technology. It’s human nature to seek the straightforward route. Why adjust the aperture? If more bokeh is desired, we can tweak it in post-processing. That’s a poor approach!
Ultimately
In a landscape where photography has become more attainable than ever due to affordable cameras, AI-powered software, social media, and simplified learning processes, it’s natural to question whether photography has turned too effortless. Has photography indeed become overly simplistic and easily accessible? Undoubtedly, yes! We’ve merely scratched the surface of a more significant dialogue. Upon contemplation, is this necessarily a negative development? Certainly not. Photography once involved a highly intricate process with substantial financial investments. Although it’s evolving into something simpler, it is doing so in a distinct manner. We may have forfeited certain skills, analytical reasoning, and purposefulness during the creative process; however, this applies only to a fraction of individuals in the bigger picture. Scroll through Instagram at any hour, and you will clearly see the evidence. Photography remains an art form with intricate challenges, thought processes, and skills. Yet, while these advancements may render photography appear easier and more attainable, it will only become easier if you choose to make it so.