Muki.Dorifuto.com Photography talk with random tangents into the unknown

The future of photography

Ask most people and you'll find that many are of the opinion that traditional print media is dying a slow death. The speed, ease and accessibility of information over the Internet, for free no less, has led to the folding of newspapers and magazines, or at least massive declines in readership.

The iPad hasn't revolutionised and rejuvinated the news media (at least not yet), and with paywalls going up as a desperate bid to earn some revenue on online sites, readership continues to decline. The quality of articles has waned with it as freelance writers wonder what's the point in writing for behind the paywall when their work will rarely be seen?

So what of the camera monkeys, photographers and photojournalists? What are the issues surrounding photographers now and into the future?

1. Harry, Dick and Tom. 10 years ago, the first digital cameras were coming out on the market and in the $1000 range. Today, you can pick up an entry level DSLR for about half of that which out of the box could produce images rivaling professionals back then (and sometimes even today). Everyone is a photographer and this undoubtedly makes competition even harder.

2. Undercutting the market. With enough Harry, Dick and Toms, there will be enough amateur photographers who will settle on selling their photos well below what they're worth or even give them away for free. Free work for not-for-profits and charities may be acceptable (and even this is sometimes debateable), but making the cover of Time Magazine and only making $30 from it? Everyone loses.

3. Lowering standards. When publications realise that there are people willing to sell their photos for cheap or nothing at all, there is suddenly a whole host of images that might be acceptable. In the case of a $3000 magazine cover, the publication would expect nothing less than the best. However, I'm sure that on at least a few issues, if not regularly, the publication would be fine with running a sub-par image if it meant they paid nothing, or close to nothing for it. How many pictures have you seen that were taken from a mobile phone? If people accept that level of quality, why pay a professional?

4. Cutting back staff photographers. The ability of publications to get cheap or free images has reduced the need for staff photographers. While the unaware amateurs devalue the market, the publication profits and suddenly the need to pay for a staff photographer doesn't seem to make sense any more.

5. Privacy and terrorism. In this day and age, taking pictures in a prominent place with a large lens more often than not labels you as a terrorist, or harassed by the authorities. God help you if you happen to look like you come from the Middle-East, have a beard or wear a turban. If you take a picture remotely near a school or playground, you can expect to be questioned or labelled as a pedophile. Ironically, a terrorist would more likely use a discreet point and shoot, and those who claim you are invading their privacy in a public place seem to have no qualms invading yours by demanding to see your images, name and personal details.

6. Stealing images. Anything that stays on the Internet for long enough to be read or found will likely be stolen at some point, whether purposefully, or through ignorance. Newspapers themselves have been caught stealing images uploaded to the Internet, even when the rights usage is clearly labelled. Frighteningly, there are a lot of people who incorrectly consider the internet to be completely open domain. Thankfully, there are a few services that allow you to search by image and things may get better over time.

All in all, the future looks bleak. However, it does have one saving grace: those brave (or crazy) enough to still go through with it most likely do so because of their passion for it - and it's an honour to work alongside them.