The Rise of Smartphone Photography and Its Impact on the Industry (2024)

FAQs

What is the impact of smartphone photography? ›

This has not only affected how and why photographs are taken, it transforms the status of contemporary photography more generally, creating conditions where once unshared/private personal photographs may now instead exist in a broader state of 'social latency'.

1. We make images more casually and with a wider subject matter. Before the first smartphone camera was released in 2007, cameras were used more selectively and for a narrower range of purposes. You might only see them at events like weddings and graduations, or at tourist hotspots on holidays.

It has altered the way we take and share photographs, made photography more affordable, and influenced businesses such as printing and social media. While some people prefer traditional film photography, the convenience and versatility of digital cameras have made them the chosen choice for the vast majority of people.

There is no pressure of working with limited resources. Another big advantage of the new technology is that it gives the photographer an opportunity to check the image. This ability to look at the image immediately after taking it allows the photographer to take a fresh shot, and come up with a better photograph.

Impacts of Smartphones on Society

Some advantages smartphones provide – better means of communication, learning options to users, great exposure to the latest things, ways to personality development, simple ways to access applications, ideas to succeed in business, platforms to grow their applications, and more.

Photography has played a critical role in journalism and media by providing visual evidence of past and present events. Photographs have become essential to the media's ability to report on and document significant events, from wars and political revolutions to natural disasters and everyday life.

The most apparent advantage is the convenience of having a camera always at hand. Unlike traditional bulky DSLR cameras, smartphones fit snugly in our pockets. This means you can always capture spontaneous moments, whether it's an unexpected reunion with an old friend, or a breathtaking sunset.

Having a mobile phone capable of taking pictures at the moment's notice has brought dramatic changes in the way people see the world events (disasters captured by camera phones as they unfold) and they seek evidences for social justices (police brutality, street fights, political campaign trails, etc.

Smartphones are great, so are digital cameras – but the answer to which is better for photography is subjective and will depend on a variety of factors. It's safe to say that – for now at least – the digital camera – or at least the best cameras for photography – are still king when it comes to image quality.

This instantaneity has made the world feel smaller and more connected but has also raised questions about privacy, ethics, and the manipulation of images. On a more personal level, digital photography has changed the way we memorialize our lives.

How has the purpose of photography changed? ›

Photography soon became a source of information and communication. On one hand, it was used as a form of creative self-expression – something that still happens today – but it also quickly became a tool that documented all of life, the good, the bad and the ugly.

One of the biggest changes that have been brought about by the invention of the smartphone, is the ability to instantly gain access to a picture every single time. Of course, there was a Polaroid camera for many years, but Polaroid film was not known for its high-quality pictures.

One of the most significant developments in how social media is changing photography is providing photographers with a much broader audience for their work. In the past, photographers were limited to sharing their work with a small group of friends, family, and colleagues.

The energy required to store and manage the colossal volume of photos on servers and data centers is substantial. A 2021 study showed that an average person takes almost 900 photos a year, while the unwanted images left in storage alone could accumulate 10.6 kg of CO2 emissions yearly.

Portable, easy to operate, and with image quality that can give a DSLR camera a run for its money, it's no wonder mobile photography is beloved by pros and casual photographers alike. But just because phones are an easy and accessible form of photography does not mean every shot you take will automatically be amazing.