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johnastovall · **Digital cameras eroding our photography skills -** 08-05-2008, 05:07 PM

Digital cameras eroding our photography skills
Sunday, August 3, 2008
BY Jim Hillibish

"I was checking out at a gallery of digital photos posted by Web users. What a bunch of crap. Almost every picture was poorly composed, poorly lighted and just simply poorly done. Frankly, it was painful..."

Daniel Bates · 08-05-2008, 05:12 PM

I'm pretty sure that untold thousands of people were just as crummy photographers with film as with digital. It's just easier to see their 'crap' now.

I don't believe that technology "erodes" our skills at all.

Frazzled LaShawn · 08-05-2008, 05:20 PM

I think that technology helps us learn our skills FASTER. As in we can see instantly what was right and what was wrong and we can fix it right then.

However, with film I think people took their time more to plan out their shots.

David_3 · 08-05-2008, 05:27 PM

It sure has helped our Photoshop skills, though!

Casper · 08-05-2008, 05:35 PM

LOL Daniel, I agree.

JohnT · 08-05-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

I'm pretty sure that untold thousands of people were just as crummy photographers with film as with digital. It's just easier to see their 'crap' now.

I don't believe that technology "erodes" our skills at all.

I concur, Private!

08-05-2008, 05:44 PM

It is much easier to be aware of crappy photographs with the internet invention. Before the internet, they were just hidden in someone's family photo album.

prncfarquad · 08-05-2008, 05:46 PM

I think that saying digital can make us less a photographer is like saying anti-lock brakes make us drive worse.

IMO the only things that can make us worse at a craft we are good at is laziness and lack of desire.

If I don't have the motivation or desire to improve or maintain my skills that is my fault not the equipment.

brad · 08-05-2008, 05:54 PM

I don't think digital erodes anything (honestly, I believe I became a better photographer after digital .. instant feedback and the ability to record camera settings embedded in the image.. but I digress).

I also don't think its solely that digital makes it easier for us to see the amount of bad photographers out there.

I think that digital has made it easy for anyone who has cash to call themselves a photographer.. and hang out a shingle to start trying to make money with their "hobby." That lure of making easy money is why there is so much crap out there masquerading as photography.

LadyShutterBug · 08-05-2008, 05:55 PM

yes, and the invention of a ballpoint pen made people crappier writers.

and the printing press made books worse.

Jenny Z · 08-05-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

I'm pretty sure that untold thousands of people were just as crummy photographers with film as with digital. It's just easier to see their 'crap' now.

I don't believe that technology "erodes" our skills at all.

Exactly.

I have untold numbers of crappy prints in my closet, from family get-togethers and vacations... you just can't see them

venchka · 08-05-2008, 06:10 PM

Brad: RIGHT ON!

Daniel: Agreed. Before Al Gore invented the internet, I'm the only one who got to see my crap.

Everybody Else: I don't know. Digital makes it possible for more people to produce more crap faster. For every gifted person who can pick up a fully automatic digital camera, figure out how to turn it on, and make great photographs without knowing how or why they didn't it, there are a zillion folks who think they are Pros because they can "fix anything in Photoshop."

As the talented folks here know, Auto-everything cameras and Photoshop can't fix a short between the brain and the eyes and the index finger.

eRoc · 06:56 PM

I don't think digital is eroding our photography skills. Pointing a dslr at a person and pressing the button is not what I would call "skill". I've seen people with DSLR's with crap photo's, and I hardly consider that "skill". I DO think digital is eroding what people call or label "photographers", as people can buy a dslr and they call themselves photogs.

I recently came across an "award winning" photographers website. In it I was looking through some engagement pictures, and they were hardly what I would call decent. I wanted to email the lady and ask if she wanted me to re-do her pictures. It was that bad.

amadjuster · 08-05-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Digital cameras eroding our photography skills
Sunday, August 3, 2008
BY Jim Hillibish

"I was checking out at a gallery of digital photos posted by Web users. What a bunch of crap. Almost every picture was poorly composed, poorly lighted and just simply poorly done. Frankly, it was painful..."

I wish Jim wouldn't be so hard on himself. I'll bet he'll get them better next time. He was talking about his stuff, wasn't he? Surely he isn't an elitist, arrogant, snob self-appointed know-it-all critic pain in the ass?

toverman · 08-05-2008, 10:41 PM

My opinion is that digital cameras make it easier for someone to think they have photography skills. The high cost of decent digital equipment likewise can fool the brain into thinking one MUST be a good photographer when using it.

The influx of more wannabes with that particular attitude may be eroding the overall quality and perception that photography (no matter the medium or equipment) is an artistic skill that must be backed up with study, talent and patience. We've lost that need for patience with digital that was inherent to the process of film photography.

My 19-month-old son already wants instant gratification by chimping whatever photo I just took of him. Kids these days!