No matter what your overall interest in photography is, history shows that photography is an ever-changing field full of unpredictability. Whether it’s the advancement of technology, social and political climates, or a difference in social norms, photography is vastly different than it once was.
With the uncertain landscape of photography in mind, questioning what the future of photography tends to go in each photographer’s thought process from time to time. Although examining the hypothetical is practically impossible, there is a bit of information available to make accurate guesses on the field. Let’s take a look!
Connectivity
Outside of just photography, connectivity seems to be implemented across all fields, jobs, and artforms. Not only in a social media sensation but how we integrate with one another via technology. As cameras evolve and change, will cameras implement direct connectivity without the need for a computer to process your photos? Or, in another sense, the ability to share what you’re seeing for tips and where to physically hold your camera for the best shot. One can argue this is already possible with smartphones, but how much further can this go regarding professional cameras?
Vintage Appeal Will Remain and Change
Similar to film photography, certain aspects come and go in the mainstream superiority of photography. Today, film photography is a vintage niche appeal that stills garners a big audience. Still, it’s nowhere near as popular as it once was. As cameras change or new pieces of technology introduce, one can assume the vintage appeal will continue to remain, but change. Meaning it’s no longer just film photography that has a vintage appeal. Still, countless other styles and cameras will be deemed obsolete compared to the modern mainstream of the field.
The Effects of Artificial Intelligence
Outside of the technological innovation in photography, other industries can play a significant role in changing the landscape of photography. Artificial Intelligence appears to be a game-changer for us as homo-sapiens, but how will AI affect photography? Will AI implement better gear, art styles, and construct perfection in the artform?
New and Innovative Cameras/Gear
As generally theorized already, cameras will evolve and continue to get better as time goes on. Basically, no one from the 1980s would’ve been able to predict what life in 2020 would be like with phones. Correlating this to photography, we have no idea what the technological landscape for photography will be like in 2040. One aspect for certain is the guarantee for better gear.
The Ability to Photograph Anytime and Anywhere
Picture a Sunday morning where you’re out for a drive and spot a practically flawless landscape shot of a rainbow. You pull over, go to your trunk, and realize you don’t have your camera on you other than your phone. Whether phones become as powerful as cameras or we get a technology piece inserted in us that’ll allow us to take photos anytime and anywhere, this seems to be inescapable.
The Death of Certain Cameras and Shooting Styles
Like anything else, as time goes on, certain pieces of equipment and styles will die off. Although it’s certainly possible for anything to come back, more will die off on the latter. One can assume that wedding and portrait photography will become antiquated as more people get their hands on better cameras of their own. On the other hand, that’ll leave the abstract and newer forms of photography to grow as the primary function of taking a photo becomes more prevalent.
Unpredictability
Although these theories seem plausible, the future is irregular. It’s incredibly challenging to predict exactly what’ll happen and change. It’s easy to assume certain styles and cameras will die off as others rise to the forefront, but to what degree? Not to mention anything innovative being added to the field. Regardless of this, one point is certain, photography itself will never die.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope you enjoyed our hypothetical assessment on the future of photography. For more articles, videos, and other information surrounding photography, follow Anthony Morganti on YouTube and Instagram.
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