Five ways the digital camera changed us

[starvy]

<p>A BBC article on history of digital photography.<br>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16483509</p>

[luis_g]

<p>"The impact on professional photographers has been dramatic. Once upon a time a photographer wouldn't dare waste a shot unless they were virtually certain it would work."</p>

<p>It has encouraged more photographic risk-taking.</p>

[leslie_cheung]

<p>I am surprised the d70 wasn't in the top five cameras (changed things) list as it made dslr more affordable to the masses. It was *the* digital camera for me and many people I know... </p>

[robertbanks]

<p>I'm glad they didn't list the ipad, which I increasingly see people using at fashion events (shakes head) ;0</p>

<p> </p>

[rossb]

<p>Probably the one thing I wish I did not have to experience is my co-workers sticking their iphones in my face and making me look at all their snapshots. </p>

[starvy]

<p>Rob, I am pleased not to see the ipad mentioned as well. In a recent touristic trip to London I was taking a picture of two friends using my very old film camera. This guy was taking a picture of the Big Ben with his ipad!</p>

[Emmanuel Enyinwa]

<p>The biggest impact is that most people can now produce great pictures, especially with high end cameras like the 5d mk ii, which gives you Ansel Adams type resolution on a camera the size of an old Nikon FM. Given that most people take snapshots of family and friends, the need to "compose" a shot like that is not as important as, say a sunset at Yosemite.</p>

[starvy]

<p>The 5d mk ii is likely to be bought by someone who is serious about photography and knows the basics. So all the in camera wizardry is useful but not a prerequisite to taking great pictures. That user quite quite easily pick up a different camera and apply their basic photographic knowledge to snap an excellent snap?</p>

[jeff_livacich]

<p>Emmanuel-<br>

Most people can now produce great looking pictures, which is very different from producing great pictures. And the resolution is not close to a large format camera's.</p>

[diegobuono]

<p>...nor the size is the same of an old Nikon FM! Let's forget the weight!</p>

[ann_overland]

<p>I wonder how many award winning pictures we would make if we only made 8 pictures in 6 weeks...now that is a great idea for a personal project. I might just do that :-)<br /> <br /> They forgot to mention one thing, thow. The impact that the online photographic forums have on improving people's photographic skills. That is not to be underestimated.<br /> <br /> I wonder what the digital cameras will look like ten years from now. I am sure that they will have invented something that we can't even imagine today.<br /> <br /> Great article, thanks for the link.</p>

<p> </p>

[wogears]

<blockquote>

<p>"The impact on professional photographers has been dramatic. Once upon a time a photographer wouldn't dare waste a shot unless they were virtually certain it would work."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I guess that was why we had 250 exposure backs? This change did NOT occur because of digital; it is an outgrowth of the rise of the 'miniature' (35mm) camera. </p>