HAPPENINGS
Remember how badly you wanted a camera as a kid? Then smartphones came and you never thought about getting one. Surely, smartphone technology was bad news for the camera industry. According to Camera & Imaging Products Association, worldwide camera shipments dropped by 84 percent between 2010 and 2018 (Statista). After all, who would buy a bulky DSLR that costs an arm and a leg when a cheap smartphone does a pretty good job at taking everyday photos?
Professional photography is, of course, a separate story. Here, photographers are never satisfied with their equipment so they are always looking out for better technology to bring out the best photos. And especially wildlife, interior and aerial photographers require high-end cameras and sophisticated gear to carry out the business. For this audience, camera industry has to push harder than ever to revolutionize photography and introduce new innovations to the customers seeking smoother photography experience. So one big innovation introduced to the camera world was mirrorless technology, which is also set to replace DSLRs in the near future.
It all began when Epson, a printer company, developed its first mirrorless camera in 2004; since then, every camera brand has introduced some finest ranges of mirrorless technology cameras. At a Canon Photography Workshop, recently held at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, photographer, Rahmatullah Khan, emphasized on keeping tabs on technology developments in the camera industry and explained why it’s important for professional photographers to switch to new camera technology in the modern age.
Importance of switching to mirrorless
DSLRs are the most popularly used cameras in the world; but, they needed to be improved in terms of design, user experience and performance. So, camera manufacturers are investing in improving the mirrorless system that they’re offering in the market. Mirrorless cameras are lighter, faster, more compact and make no noise during the shoot; autofocus system has been upgraded; they’re better for video shooting; the lack of mirror makes it easier to capture a lot of images quickly. Obviously, technology can never be perfect but in order to improve your craft, you will have to keep up with technology and use the best tools that the market has to offer.
What’s next?
You can expect anything in the future. Possibilities are limitless and mind-boggling! Rahmatullah Khan recalled, “We never thought we would be able to take hundreds of multiple shots in a small amount of time and see them right away. I remember we had to take a restricted number of photos on 150 rolls for a project; then later, process them and find out what we had done. Life is so much easier now.”
Technology will only get better with time. You never know if some other kind of sensitive technology gets introduced that allows direct exposing and lenses become obsolete or maybe some other kind of electronic lenses arrive in the market.
One irreplaceable thing
Though it’s important to embrace technology, we must not forget the human mind; no technology can replace that! Camera doesn’t take photos, photographer does. The photographer makes ordinary things look photogenic. Equipment should never restrict your creativity.
Want to learn professional photography? Check out photography classes with Professor Rahmatullah Khan at Alliance Francaise, Karachi