orangefirefish
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 p.2 #16 · is popularity of dslr a bad things to pros? | |
hauxon wrote:
Camera is just a tool. Would it be bad for musicians if every home got a really good guitar?
My father had an SLR, so did my grandfather, and my grand, grandfather had LF camera. They took fine images and their posession of gear did not pose a threat to professional photographers. Cameras (even good ones) have have been houshold items for decades. I don't see what the difference is really with digital. The only thing that has changed really is the internet/flow of information, and that part mostly hurts books (...and cd's).
No, but then again guitars haven't exactly changed as radically as DSLRs have. Correct me if I'm wrong- but most of the advancements in guitars have been in sound quality. There's no real features that enable you play better- the improvement is in the reproduction of sound. With music, sound quality is useless unless the underlying music is played properly.
You might argue that the composition of a picture, as well as the technique behind taking the picture is analogous to the technique behind playing a guitar- but I think with the photos that people are making today, they're not necessarily trying to reproduce anything or imitate anything that a professional would make- they are merely trying to record some memories that they can reflect on later in life.
The advancements in technology all make it easier for the average joe to pick up a camera and get great results- results that most people would be more than happy with. Heck, even in Auto mode some of these things make pictures that the indiscriminant consumer would appreciate.
The trickle down of autofocus, sensor technology, user friendliness, low light performance, and automation have all made it increasingly simple to get a decent picture, at an entry level price. Though the sky's the limit to how much these things can improve at the pro end, you have to admit, you get to a point where that extra improvement doesn't really help us make incrementally better pictures. Do we really need 10+ fps to get the shot? ISO 100000?
Entry level DSLRs are crossing the threshold where the features that they are equipped with can produce satisfactory results, and with automation this becomes even easier. Even the entry level cams nowadays are more than acceptable compared to what we've had to work with just 5 years ago.
The features on the low end cameras these days are simply more than enough, I'm sure any pro could pick one up and make pro-level pics. As a result- anyone with a knowledge of how to use their entry level camera can pick one up and make great pictures with it- not necessarily "pro level" pics, but at least something they would be happy with.
In other words, entry level technology, by benefiting from yesterday's pro technology, is making HUGE strides in user friendliness and ease of use- while our pro technology, is at a saturation point. Sure we can complain about autofocus problems, or high ISO noise- but at the end of the day, those minute improvements won't help the "pros" make that many better pics.
Photography requires skill, composition, and artistic imagination and the fact that professionals can consistently, and dependably produce great results, is what gets them hired. In areas where artistic skill, or a knowledge of lighting systems, or some specialized field is not as important as just capturing the moment (such as event photography), people are willing to bet on themselves to do the job. Not to say that a pro couldn't do a dramatically better job for events, but the sad fact is that people are happy with what they have- after all, it serves their sentimental purposes well.
The money will always be in the commercial side of the business, because if you're in the business of making money, you won't skimp on your marketing materials.
With the advancement in entry level technology, as well as the underlying improvements in automated processes, everyday users are increasingly able of producing acceptably consistent results- to a point where they are willing to accept their DIY approach. As a result this definitely erodes sales opportunities as well as job opportunities for seasoned pros.
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