Future of Photography

The mirror less Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are starting to dominate the headlines. They’re starting to break all the records for resolution and image quality. Fujifilm has sensed a change in the wind. They no longer produce DSLRs. They now focus their energy on mirrorless cameras. And Sony has also adopted a similar strategy, moving into the mirrorless market.

And, as well as DSLRs, Nikon and Canon do have mirrorless machines available. It’s not just the image quality that is drawing people away from DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras have are smaller and lighter. And they have fewer moving components.

Without the mirror, they are completely silent when shooting. For sports and wildlife photographers, a silent camera is a godsend. They can get the perfect shot without scaring the animal or distracting the player.

Smartphones Cameras

The latest phones are capable of near-professional level image quality. It’s not just about uploading selfies to your social media. You can take high-standard photos for professional purposes.

Social media is also becoming a hub for young professionals. Fitness gurus and influencers can run their businesses from their phones. They don’t need to transfer images between devices. They can take a picture and upload it to their account in seconds. And that includes editing and processing.

The introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is something we’re familiar with from science fiction films. They’re either set in the future. AI is already a feature in many modern cameras and lenses. But don’t worry. Your camera isn’t plotting to kill you and take over the world. Not yet anyway.

The autofocus and image stabilisation systems both use AI to achieve precise results, as does tracking and automatic exposure features. And similar AI software is being introduced to smartphone cameras and editing apps.

The iPhone 7 has a new Portrait mode which blurs the background to create a pleasing shallow depth of field. And Skylum’s Luminar has AI-powered filters that make editing a breeze.

The editing software on your computer will also develop with more AI over time. It will be able to recognise specific objects and label them. It will change your setting without you needing to request it.

Reduced Demand for Professionals

There are many ways to make a living as a photographer. From weddings to photojournalism, there are many ways your camera can generate income. Good cameras are easy to find and cheap to buy. Smartphones are even able to perform professional photography tasks, both when taking pictures and for post-processing.

People and companies can take great pictures themselves. They no longer need to hire a professional photographer. And as we head into the future, this trend will continue further.

The Rise of Vintage

With every new generation of digital cameras, we see higher resolutions and better specs. Digital cameras are more versatile and convenient than ever before. Film photographs have a texture and quality digital has not been able to replicate. And it’s not just the images; it’s the process too.

Digital photography can be easy and convenient. But some still prefer the manual approach.

What the future holds for photography can see exciting. Things we thought impossible a few years ago are now becoming a reality. But something is also being lost. New technology makes photography fast and convenient.

Lomography and Polaroid Originals are two companies intent on keeping older technologies alive. They revitalise traditional photography tech to keep it popular and relevant. Other major brands are strictly digital these days. But in the future, I can see many trying capitalise on the vintage trend in photography.

Constant Connectivity

Over the last few years, we have seen DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras with wireless connections. WiFi, Bluetooth and Near-Field Connectivity (NFC) now come as standard. Previously, you would tether your camera to your computer using a cable. You’d transfer the photos from your camera to your device using software such as Lightroom and Capture One.

To share images, you’d have to send them from your computer. You’d have to send them via email or cloud storage programs like Dropbox. It was a time-consuming process.

But cables are becoming a thing of the past. You can connect your camera directly to a mobile device using WiFi and Bluetooth. It makes image sharing much quicker and easier. You can share your work with clients as soon as the shoot is over. Or even mid-shoot. And it enables you to free up space on your camera while you work.

Immersive Photography

Photography is an art form that has developed over 200 years. It has been used to depict important events. Or to create beautiful imagery. It’s used for work, and it’s used for pleasure.

3D photography has been around for a long time. Stereo cameras came and went. And now, you can create 3D images with your smartphone. But 3D has always been a niche indulgence, a bit of a gimmick.

Cameras and computers are on the verge of creating fully immersive 3D images. When they’re projected, you can walk around and view them from all angles. A few months ago, we tried to photograph a statue and turn it into a 3D model.