Why Multimedia Is the Future of Photography
[by Jay Kinghorn]
As the mobile phone begins to replace the television and personal computer as the primary screen for interfacing with the Internet, and print continues to decline in popularity, this shift will impact the way photographers create photographs. While a two-page magazine spread can contain a rich array of subtle tones and fine details, the relatively low resolution screen of a computer or a mobile device cannot. To have impact on a small screen, a photograph must be tightly composed, cleanly lit and catch the viewer’s attention immediately.
Unfortunately, these small screens remove much of the subtlety that makes photography such a powerful medium. To bypass the limitations of the small screen, my guess is photographers will adapt to the technological limitations of mobile screens by using a series of images to tell a story, instead of relying on a single, all-encompassing photo.
Photographers who take time to rethink their compositions, lighting and visual storytelling options will be better suited to succeed in all mediums, regardless of the twists and turns technology throws at us.
6 Responses to 'Why Multimedia Is the Future of Photography'
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I agree with you and to go a step further – photographers need to be consumers and early adopters of all those technological twists and turns in order to understand how their viewers are consuming their images.
Andrea,
Great point. One of the significant challenges I see in the near future is for photographers to serve an advisory role to clients who may need some convincing to make the leap to mobile advertising, multimedia promotions or other new form of marketing.
You’re right that we need to get ahead of the curve so we can see opportunities, anticipate problems and help lead the way for our clients.
Great thought. With any medium, I think, story is the key. Viewers get tired of bells and whistles after a while, so what’s left? Compelling narrative and interesting characters.
What this is saying to me is the opposite of what I hear at ASMP conferences and from consultants – to find and express your unique vision as an artist.
“verb
1 (dumb something down) informal
simplify or reduce the intellectual content of something so as to make it accessible to a larger number of people”
(Oxford American Dictionaries)
Great point, Drew.
yeeah. i totally agree with you guys!