Lens-Artists Challenge #232 – The Evolution of Things

And So It Begins

“Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.”

Bruno Barbe

This week Sofia challenges us with presenting an evolution – defined as “the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form“. While one can think of hundreds of things we’ve seen evolve in our lifetimes, few have evolved more than technology. In fact, if not for technology we wouldn’t have blogging, would we?!

Having spent my entire career in technology, I have experienced first-hand the wonders (and the challenges) it offers. Taking advantage of its leaps and bounds, photography equipment and editing software both offer wonderful examples of progress. From my first camera, my beloved Nikon FM shown above, to today’s iPhones, there is no longer any reason anyone interested cannot learn to make memorable images.

IPhone Antiques

“Although the technology made everything easy, good images still depend on the creative eye.”

Lakshman Iyer

Apple’s IPhone offers an excellent example of a remarkable evolution since its introduction 15 years ago. Along with many other improvements, the quality of the images (and videos) it can produce today is simply remarkable. From a 2 MP, stills-only camera and a max 16 GB of storage, today’s iPhones deliver up to 128 GB of storage and a dual-camera system with both optical and digital zoom, image stabilization and HD video recording. The image quality competes easily with many of the cameras available today, and offers an advantage they do not – ubiquity! How many times when out and about have you wanted to make an image but had no camera? I’m guessing you used your omnipresent cellphone without a second thought!

IPhone 12 Pro Max

“Everybody now has a camera, often as part of our phone, and most of these cameras require little to no technical training.” 

Michael Kenna

Beyond the capabilities of our cameras and phones, once an image has been made there are an incredible number of software products which allow us to alter them in multiple ways. From simple cropping or straightening to combining layers, adding or deleting elements, softening reality, replacing skies…….I could go on and on.

While traditional photographers see images as art, there is an entire world filled with cellphone users who love memorializing the important moments in their lives. Children and grandchildren will have thousands of images to pour over in their later years, iconic buildings and landscapes will be captured during millions of journeys, and Mother Nature’s finery (and treachery) will be available for all to see whenever and wherever we want. There are also dozens of cellphone apps, often designed simply to make photography fun, and many outlets for sharing such as Facebook and Instagram.

Before

“A good eye can edit before the shutter opens.”

Craig Coverdale

I’ll close my post with an example that illustrates some of today’s thoughts. On the left of the side-by-side images above I’ve positioned an unedited iPhone image captured last month. On the right i’ve removed the cluttered background using the tap-and-lift technique Donna describes here. From there I’ve used some readily-available editing tools as an example of the artistic freedom that offers both opportunity and challenge for today’s photographers.

Blushing Flower, Topaz Textures

Dark and Stormy, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Abstract, Topaz Impressions

“Artistry is important.”

Sarah Kay

Technology has in some ways made our lives easier, and in others, more complex. When it comes to photography, technology gives us the ability to capture what we see, which is of course critically important. But it is the seeing that defines us as artists. A palette filled with all of the colors in the world is nothing without the hand of the artist who visualizes and then creates a masterpiece. Our cameras offer us the technical ability to create art, but our eyes, heart and vision are what brings it to life. Here’s to a New Year filled with creativity, challenge, and at least occasional satisfaction with a job well done.

Sincere thanks to Sofia for this week’s challenge, which I’ll admit required a bit more thought than usual. Be sure to link your responses to her original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. Thanks also to John for his Favorite Images of 2022 last week. It was so much fun seeing the images everyone chose and understanding why they chose them. Finally, be sure to join us next week when Anne leads our challenge on her beautiful Slow Shutter Speed blog. Until then, remember to stay safe, be kind, and enjoy the journey.

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Tags: editing, evolution, iphone, LENS-ARTISTS, Photo essay, photography, technology

• January 15, 2023
• Photography
• 93 Comments