SueS
Premium
join:2007-05-16
Macon, MO
 ·Chariton Valley
edit:
September 17th, @07:32PM
| Photography a fad
I think some people are loosing interest in digital photography and forums. For some it will have just been a fad. The fad has been good for photography as a whole, with companies putting out new and improved equipment, with lower prices. Many will continue to shoot family snapshots and vacation photos. I doubt some of these folks, excluding professionals, will be updating equipment as often, except for entry-level SLR type cameras replacing point and shoots. Point and shoot cameras may once again be the cameras of choice for family snapshots. Not sure what this means in the future for those left still shooting. Prices of new stuff may be more expensive in the future. Second hand stuff could go dirt cheap including lenses at some point.
Please share your thoughts on this subject. |
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haiyaku
join:2008-09-15
| It's probably just due to economics.
1) Lower wages means less money to spend on hobbies such as photography.
2) Less money to be made in photography maybe? MOST people have cellphones/cameras, and with that they can snap their "memories" even if it means lack of quality.
I got into the fad, so it's still going on. Maybe not as strong. |
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
 ·Bell Sympatico
| reply to SueS
A small P&S is probably best for snapshots anyway. The current image quality is beyond what the average consumer can recognize and they're simple to operate. Remember that VHS won out over the technically superior Beta VCR format - the average consumer could only see the price difference and was completely oblivious to the quality difference. For many, photography IS a fad. For me, it's a fad that has lasted over 4 decades!
I wouldn't object strongly to some dirt cheap second hand equipment, though.  |
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TigerNutz
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Premium
join:2000-12-23
Lafayette, LA
·Cox HSI
| reply to SueS
I think the MP race will level off soon, reach a plateau where enough is enough.
I mean who really needs images from a 24 or 32mp camera? Not the average John Q Citizen. I suspect other features will emerge to fuel the market like wireless, HD video and GPS.
We are seeing that now. |
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GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
| reply to SueS
Like anything else, some people are in it for the long haul and some aren't.
I agree there are many factors which might have some people reconsidering purchaes & such but once you have the gear it's more of a matter of time and other commitments to get out & shoot.
And really it depends on what you do. For me, most of what I do is racing. If I am not going to a race I am not shooting nearly as much. The other thing is simply time. I've been on the road for work and with other commitments that took me away from it for a few months, with the occasional shot taken here & there.
Perhaps if I was more into shooting other subjects I'd get the kit out more, and perhaps that's something I should work on in the off season.
Photography as a whole of course isn't going anywhere, but it's possible revenues from equipment might drop off a bit.
There's no question the technology is advancing at a rapid pace. What all of the manufacturers hope is that they put out a product which attracts the consumer to buy. But with financial demands in other areas, it'll be a tough road for a little while.
In my case, I'd love to get a 50D or 5D MkII but I can better spend the money elsewhere at the moment, and the 20D is still going strong. There's really no need for me to upgrade, just perhaps a desire.  I do perhaps one major purchase a year on my gear, this year was a 580EX II flash for example, and last year was the 100-400 lens.
Other than that, I probably do more accessories that I use to support my photography, and those are mainly much lower price than the camera gear itself.
--
TheGlobalMind.com | Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? | Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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SueS
Premium
join:2007-05-16
Macon, MO
·Chariton Valley
| reply to TigerNutz
said by TigerNutz  :I think the MP race will level off soon, reach a plateau where enough is enough. I mean who really needs images from a 24 or 32mp camera? Not the average John Q Citizen. I suspect other features will emerge to fuel the market like wireless, HD video and GPS. We are seeing that now. I think I could be happy with 21 MPs.  |
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TigerNutz
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Premium
join:2000-12-23
Lafayette, LA
edit:
September 17th, @09:41PM
| I'm happy with my 12
....megapixels |
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HFB1217
The Wizard
Premium,ExMod 2000-01
join:2000-06-26
Camelot
clubs:  
| reply to SueS
Bad economy and high gas prices with heating fuel costs has curtailed a lot of people's on the go trips. Many people also have reached a plateau with quality and higher MP so tight money means stay where you are with equipment unless it breaks.
Harder times means more work and less pleasure time along with greater worries than snapping pics and forums. I have seen a great slow down in many forums both here and at other sites.
--
****aka The WIZARD **** A Founding member Seti BBR Team Starfire**** |
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fredus
Premium
join:2001-08-29
Nice, France
clubs: | reply to SueS
I'm happy with my Tri-X |
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pog
Premium
join:2004-06-03
Kihei, HI
·Hawaiian Telcom
| reply to SueS
said by SueS :I think some people are loosing interest in digital photography and forums. Are you basing this on the levels of activity you see here and elsewhere online?
If so, I think you make a mistake to conclude there's a waning interest in photography. The most you can say is that there's just less activity in digital photography forums.
We can speculate as to the reasons why this might be happening:
- some people (like me) have had less time for hobbies lately
- other people (not like me ) have gotten tired of this forum for whatever reason
- some might be in jail
- a few might be sick
- others might be offline due to Ike
- some, as you say, must have lost interest in photography
- etc
In terms of interest in digital photography, that's best measured in other ways... maybe camera sales volumes? maybe camera lab printing stats? maybe flickr (etc) photo upload numbers?
When it comes to equipment, who knows... good stuff has never been exactly cheap. Cheaper maybe. We're still seeing new features, capabilities, etc being added. HD video, for eg. Personal economics, product availability, etc... these are usually deciding factors... and I think this will continue.
--
My Site |
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tommytran99
join:2002-04-08
San Francisco, CA
clubs:
·DSL EXTREME
| I think digital photography is turning a lot more mainstream. It's just the professional side of photography ( pictures that follow conventions ); not candid pictures or pictures of family members at a resturant type pictures is waning. While DSLRs are getting cheap, can't beat a 150 dollar point and shoot that is 5 times smaller, has IS already built in, and takes 8MP pictures ( SD1100 for those wondering ) |
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Charliebrown
Smile Its Nearly Friday
Premium
join:2001-07-17
Australia
clubs:
·Telstra Bigpond
| reply to SueS
I think it also has to do with peoples life styles. me for example would post images in the gallery quite often, however due to work commitments i have not had a chance to get out and spend some time with the gear. saying that though doesnt mean i dont still visit the forum daily to catch up on what is going on and checking out other peoples work. as well as reading the topics posted.
With a bit of luck i will be posting again soon.
--
If you cant fix it, then find something you can. If you cant find something then break something. |
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richdelb
2008 Calder Cup CHAMPS
Premium
join:2003-01-22
Algonquin, IL
| reply to SueS
Between work and family, I also find myself not having much time for taking pictures. I still do find the time to come by here every day to see what's new.
I have found that web forums do tend to "ebb and flow" from time to time. The DI forum will be loaded with new pictures and subjects for a while, and then it will calm down for a while. I'm sure it will pick back up soon.
I'll take this as a reminder that life is short, and we all should make more of an effort to take time to do the things we ENJOY to do (as well as the things we Have/need to do)
Good topic, Sue. |
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gugarci
Premium
join:2004-02-25
Lyndhurst, NJ
·Comcast
| reply to SueS
You might find that some of these missing members might be spending more time in the other forums. Wayne had recommended Nikonians to me a while ago, and I love The Nikon Cafe. But I still visit here frequently. But I post a lot more at the other forums. |
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Gemologist
Premium
join:2001-11-15
USA
clubs:
·Embarq
moderated:
September 18th, @08:53AM
| reply to SueS
Fad, most definitely. It is the COOL thing to do/be now, rofl. It will go away. Same basic thing happened when nice 35mm film SLRs became affordable to the average Joe and then again slightly when AF film SLRs became affordable. To many it is a fad and to many it is $$$ in their eyes (greed.. gimmick to make a quick buck) thinking all they need is the equipment to make them a Pro, has done alot of damage to many sides of the Industry this time though, but some are starting to recover finally.
To many it is a venue to enjoy life now that they can afford it.
And of course, to many, who are true Pros, it is a living that they are either just so good at they don't give it up or those who have to work their butts off to make a living from it but enjoy it soo much they could never give it up.. and everywhere inbetween.
--
Images are Copyrighted and use is NOT
permitted. |
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Pentaxian
Premium
join:2008-01-23
West Milford, NJ
| reply to SueS
Absolutely a fad. No doubt about it.
The prices for DSLR's came down as well as qualities had increased thus creating a false want/need for a new camera.
Then along with the new camera came the need for information about it and an influx of users swarmed to the photo forums.
And along with this surge of new folks with new cameras came along a massive, and I mean MASSIVE influx of horrible photography. Message board upon message board was overwhelmed with crappy photos.
And lately, it seems that the fad is waining and we're seeing more photographers, not guys/gals with cameras, actual photographers, spending more time on the boards chatting business - NOT posting images (more on that later)
Other things that have added to the decline on message boards. Many of these 'new camera users' have done quite well for themselves and have actually become talented photographers and now they want to showcase their work. It's usually at about this point the individual realizes that the message boards he's been posting all of his wonderful artwork at actually claims ownership over the works. Essentially forcing the up-and-comer to give up copyright simply by posting the image to the message board. (it's a dirty little secret hidden in many TOS agreements - everyone should read every boards TOS that they post images to)
All of this has added up to photographers building their own websites to showcase their work instead of on forums, because, as I stated previously, very few forums are straight forward and honest about their intentions with the media you post to their forums. So there you have it, places like this here forum which is the catalyst for bringing photographers together is what drives them apart ultimately. |
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Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs: | reply to SueS
Car and car parts are draining me..
I still shoot events I have (which I hope) is my last wedding of the year This Saturday. |
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
·Bell Sympatico
edit:
September 18th, @01:58PM
| reply to Pentaxian
said by Pentaxian :So there you have it, places like this here forum which is the catalyst for bringing photographers together is what drives them apart ultimately. I surely hope that you're very, very wrong.
EDIT: Shortened quote to show better what I was really talking about. |
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ddevilduck
Premium
join:2002-07-26
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to SueS
Fad?
For me I never had any pretense on why I wanted a dSLR. I wanted a camera that I could use to take the pictures I wanted to take. It was not to think I could become the next great award winning photographer or try to make money. It was simply I wanted a camera that gave me the flexibility to do anything I wanted, even if I dont normally use half the features. A point and shoot would have been a lot cheaper but didnt give me the options. Shortly after buying the camera I posted a few topics here so I could learn how to take better shots. The advice given has been very helpful. the critique I recieved of the shots posted made me aware of the little things that make a good shot better.
I have taken over 3000 shots with my camera since I purchased it at the end of june. 100 of those shots i used in a photobook. 7 are printed out at 11 x14 and hung on my walls. Not because they are really really great shots but because I liked them and wanted to look at them. the rest are on storage media that may never get looked at again. (havent gotten as far as deciding what to delete)
Summer is over, with that comes a lot busier time. I havent taken as many shots but I still make a point to walk around and take 5 to 10 shots a day just to play with the camera and try new things. Is it a fad to me? Maybe, but I like to think that I will keep the camera around for a long time and use it to capture those moments that mean something to me. |
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Exit
Premium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-04-10
Canada
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to Pentaxian
said by Pentaxian :Absolutely a fad. No doubt about it. The prices for DSLR's came down as well as qualities had increased thus creating a false want/need for a new camera. Then along with the new camera came the need for information about it and an influx of users swarmed to the photo forums. And along with this surge of new folks with new cameras came along a massive, and I mean MASSIVE influx of horrible photography. Message board upon message board was overwhelmed with crappy photos. And lately, it seems that the fad is waining and we're seeing more photographers, not guys/gals with cameras, actual photographers, spending more time on the boards chatting business - NOT posting images (more on that later) Other things that have added to the decline on message boards. Many of these 'new camera users' have done quite well for themselves and have actually become talented photographers and now they want to showcase their work. It's usually at about this point the individual realizes that the message boards he's been posting all of his wonderful artwork at actually claims ownership over the works. Essentially forcing the up-and-comer to give up copyright simply by posting the image to the message board. (it's a dirty little secret hidden in many TOS agreements - everyone should read every boards TOS that they post images to) All of this has added up to photographers building their own websites to showcase their work instead of on forums, because, as I stated previously, very few forums are straight forward and honest about their intentions with the media you post to their forums. So there you have it, places like this here forum which is the catalyst for bringing photographers together is what drives them apart ultimately. Right on the money |
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