Earlier in the week I ran across a quote attributed to legendary photographer Sam Haskins. It goes: “A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’ He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.’” This quote got me to thinking a bunch about modern photography, more specifically on how it seems, at least to me, that the proliferation of digital cameras is killing it.
Now, let me stop right here before I go any further and issue this disclaimer: I’m not a photographer or any sort of photography connoisseur. No, but what I am is someone who enjoys capturing moments in photographs and who has a deep appreciation for photographic talent. I find it awe-inspiring, in fact. To get a glimpse of an image that, for one reason or another, speaks to me can leave me filled with an odd combination of admiration and envy.
So, with all of that said, let me try to explain why I personally think that advances in digital photography technology is killing photography, an assertion I’m sure many would argue with seeing that digital technology opens up the field to more people than ever before. And that’s, I think, part of the problem.
You see, I just think that there are too many damn people taking pictures these days, and the ineptitude of these people dilutes the amazing work by the true talents. On top of that, modern photo retouching software can make even the most inept photographer look like Stephen Klein or AnnieLeibovitz . It’s just kind of sad to me. The true artists in this field are being kicked into the ditch by technology, something I think the quote I cited above gets right to the heart of.
But what saddens me the most about the proliferation of digital photography technology has less to do with professional photography than it does with personal photography, something that I think it’s taken a lot of the fun out of, for me and many others. You see, I, like everyone else these days, own a digital camera. A nice, fancy one at that. The one I purchased last year, just like the one prior to it, was one that I researched heavily and put a lot of thought into purchasing and spent, what was for me at the time, a lot of money on it. It was in no way a whimsical purchase. Now here’s the problem…I rarely use it.
Why that is is something that’s had perplexed me for some time. “Why aren’t I using this camera to take pictures as frequently as I used to?” is something that I’ve often found myself wondering. And then, recently, it hit me…taking pictures digitally just isn’t as fun as taking pictures with film. The immediacy of digital photography, being able to turn a camera over and examine the photo on the display screen, has just destroyed it for me. There is little mystery involved in taking pictures any longer. The anticipation of dropping off a roll of film to be developed to see what potential treasures are hidden inside of a tiny canister is long gone, sadly, and that’s arguably what was most fun about taking personal photos with film…standing in the store, looking through the pictures after paying the clerk with a big, goofy grin plastered across your face, thinking “Oh my God I can’t wait to show this to so and so.” That’s all gone now.
As I write this I’m sitting at a desk in my bedroom typing on a laptop computer. Just off to the right of my laptop is my digital camera. Looking at it now, I can see traces of dust strewn across its back screen, damning evidence of my rarely using it. Still, I often find myself thinking, “I really need to start taking pictures again,” but I rarely do. That was never the case with film cameras. I always had a camera on me, no matter where I went, even if it was a disposable model. Digital technology has done to photography what internet porn has done to seeing a spectacular set of titties in the flesh. Ho-hum. Big deal.
At the risk of sounding a bit too much like Andy Rooney, I really wish we could just go back to the old days of doing some things, and photography is certainly one of them.
(The photo above was taken by an amazing photographer based in Austin, Texas that I admire greatly…her name is Amy V. Cooper, and this photo of the interior of New Orleans musician Clint Maedgen‘s apartment just after Hurricane Katrina passed through town is one of my favorites of all-time.)
Email Cajun Boy at cajun@animalnewyork.com
@Bucky Turco…asshole!
Can I have your camera if you're not using it?
I’m a shell of a man without my digital camera and I carry it like a pacemaker and now…I’m glad to know that by using it religiously, I’m contributing to the downfall of humanity.
I don't think that digital photography is contributing to the demise of photography as art at all. Film-based movements are as strong as ever with Lomo and there still factors you're failing to touch upon.
There are a lot of subjective things associated with photography that you should focus on. Composition,style, all that other shit is something a camera won't figure out for you nor will post-processing necessarily make a photo amazing cause it will probably have to create a more surrealistic aspect to the image that isn't all desirable. Good work will shine regardless, look at Youtube. There is literally a degenerative blackhole of low-quality content yet good content will always rise to the top.
The accessibility of photography has inevitably boosted the absolute quality of photography but perhaps created a lower average quality… that's my opinion anyways.
You might have a point with those of us who are not pros. It's too easy. I have a new still-movie camera sitting on the table all the time. I rarely bring it with me. The last time we were in Manhattan a few weeks ago, I think I took 5 pix.
BTW, I have seen that phenomenal photograph above several times.
You can make the same argument about any of the other arts and how computerization has diluted the qualities of those arts now with wretched amateurs. Take music.
I think you've got it wrong and you're argument smacks of elitism. I believe we're in a new golden age of photography. Especially street photography. Art always follows tecnology not the other way around.
You will see more mind-blowing photo's on Flickr than in a lifetime's membership to the ICP.
It sadden's me to imagine all these fine cameras sitting around unloved because you now consider their use too plebian.
Seems like you totally missed the point of the story you quoted at the beginning. Seems like you're fixated on the camera and the type of camera that's "supposed" to be used for "great art." I think the point of the story is that it's the photographer's skill not the equipment that makes art. Probably the reason you don't take pictures any more is because you're not so much a photographer as you are a camera fetishist.
_Modern_ art is being killed by digital cameras and computer animation is being killed by animation software too!!!
I think I understand what you're saying. It's similiar to one suggesting that just because there's a billion blogs we must be entering the golden age of writing.
No, rather, simply saturation, so much noise…harder to find the gems…
Digital cameras are very useful CYA tools.
My soon-to-be ex-wife felt threatened by the many photos I presented to the Court demonstrating the great, fun, enriching times I have with our kids, so she swiped my Kodak EZShare camera when I wasn't looking. You see, those photos contradicted her bogus claims that I was an 'unfit parent' (because, alas, the evil woman was hoping to be awarded an insane, exorbitant amount of child support). But–tsk, tsk–too little, too late on her part: I will soon to have the kids a full half of the time.
So my advice: spend $100 a digital camera, and $50,000 on a divorce attorney, and you'll be sitting pretty.
I really enjoyed the article and the comments, too.
My sense is that the bar has been raised for artists, and when the medium shifts and evolves, the art does as well. Shouldn't the pleasure of making a fairly good photograph be shared with everyone? More people are taking photographs because it is more accessible (and the process is less frustrating). Perhaps the 'mystery' has just shifted a little, to a new location. I don't think any of the 'real' artists are complaining about the medium; they work with what they have to make great art regardless. Actually, I thought that was what the quote was about?
Maybe a similar example: surfboards are everywhere nowadays, and while there is a resurgence of the traditional wooden boards by very small niche groups, the sport has been pushed to new limits by the technology offered. Yes, it's pretty crowded out there on the ocean these days, but who am I to stand in the way saying that something is too accessible to regular people? Surfing and Photography isn't all about the end product, it's also about the experience.
Thanks again for the article, I enjoyed it. I'll take your camera if you're not using it.
I couldn't agree more…
I have been taking pictures all my life, I have a storage room just for my contacts and negs, I had my first darkroom at 14, I went on to assist every photographer for over ten years, moved to New York got an agent, got published, advertising clients..etc then digital came, it was not required to have any experience anymore, everyone is a photographer, a blogger, some with talent of course but too much photography killed photography, I am lucky to be able to make a living but when I am not working like you I leave my camera at home having lost the excitment…
Your argument lost credibility when he writer praised the posted photo, which is mediocre at best. The tool is not the issue, the final image is. And you have very little taste in judging the latter.
wrong on every level
You will be re-inspired by Superheadz' Digital Harinezumi. It will warm you right back up.
I disagree with what you've said. You still need to capture images with good composition, good lighting, and with a bit of luck, capture that split second moment that you will never get back again. That's what photography is all about, whether it's with digital or film.
Plus photoshop is a complete art form that also needs to be mastered. Whenever people talk about photoshop, they make it sound so easy. Just photoshop it, like clicking a mouse button. Well can you create image such as this http://www.patrickmonkel.nl/? You think it's that easy?
Sorry guys, this is the digital age, and we need to update ourselves, and adapt to the new art forms that exist. Plus dropping off images for development is not the art of photography, the art is developing it on your own in a dark room.
I recentley caught my scumbag partner cheating on me, my friend convined me to use a mobile spy app for my iphone and trace his calls / txt mesages. On the first night he was txting the bitch from work while we ate our dinner!
If you think your being cheated on I highly suggest http://bit.ly/iVWwY6 easy to set up although i hope you find out you are NOT being cheated on