The Great Topic of Modern Photography
I am kicking off this series with the widely debated topic of hiring a professional photographer versus using your smartphone. Which is better? Are smartphones replacing expert photographers? We will shine light on this subject and provide the facts for you to consider for yourself.
Photography Quote of the Day
"You don't take a photograph, you make it."
The Photography Revolution
When photography was born in the late 1800s, the equipment used produced crude pictures and was anything but simple and convenient. Since then, photography has changed the world and brought the world into view for the common person.
As of writing this, there are over 26,034 professional photographers employed in the United States. Although, in modern times, the camera most people are likely to have is part of the supercomputer (aka smartphone) in our pockets. In fact, roughly 85% of the pictures taken worldwide in 2021 were captured using smartphones!
The question many people keep asking themselves is, “With this amazing, convenient, high-tech multipurpose camera I take everywhere, why are professional photographers even necessary?” Let’s investigate!
There’s a lot to be learned by comparing the pros & cons of professional photography and of smartphones.
The Pros of Hiring Expert Photographers
There are numerous advantages of hiring professional photographers:
1. Delegated Responsibility: It’s often preferable to entrust the role of photographer to experts, freeing you to focus on other responsibilities during events or weddings.
2. Skill and Expertise: Professional photographers possess years of training and hands-on experience. We excel in essential aspects such as lighting, composition, focus, and timing. Our methods for capturing high-quality images are precise and deliberate.
3. Equipment: Professional grade photographers utilize professional grade equipment that demands knowledge and skill to use effectively. Beyond this, we are well-versed in troubleshooting technical issues that may arise while on a photoshoot.
4. Creative Control: With our professional photography gear and expertise, expert photographers maintain full control over settings, enabling us to craft our vision precisely and achieve the desired outcomes.
5. Editing and Post-Processing: Even when camera settings, lighting, composition, and other variables are executed flawlessly, editing remains crucial. Editing images like RAW (uncompressed) files necessitate fine-tune adjustments, which is an even rarer skillset than taking good pictures.
The Cons of Hiring Expert Photographers
The downside of going pro:
1. Price: Whether hiring an expert photographer or investing in your own professional gear, the cost is considerably higher than simply using a smartphone.
2. Greater Commitment: Hiring a professional photographer or embarking on your own professional photography journey requires a substantially larger commitment of time and money compared to using smartphone cameras.
3. Increased Complexity: Aspiring photographers should be prepared for a steeper learning curve when using professional photography equipment compared to user-friendly smartphone cameras.
4. Limited Connectivity: While some recent professional cameras offer more connectivity features, they are still generally more technical and less intuitive than smartphones.
5. Equipment bulk: Professional camera gear, even at the basic level, tends to be larger and heavier than smartphones.
As we can see, the “pro” in “professional photographer” is well earned! The combination of talent and the proper tools results in high-quality imagery. However, achieving this level of photography is not a shortcut and demands significant time, effort, and financial investment.
The Pros of Smartphone Photography
Convenient photography at its best:
1. Cost-Effective: Utilizing your smartphone to capture images or videos is essentially inexpensive, excluding the initial purchase of the phone itself.
2. Simplicity: Overall, smartphone photography is incredibly user-friendly! They have been built to be easy to use aided by advanced AI technology that simplifies the process of capturing great shots without requiring much thought from you to consider settings such as exposure.
3. Portability: Even larger smartphones are highly portable, making them conveniently sized to fit in your pocket. In contrast, professional equipment can be considerably bulkier and more cumbersome.
4. Ease of Use: In modern times, it’s common for children to possess the skills to use a smartphone for basic photography, and these devices can produce high-quality pictures & video. Proficiency with professional gear, on the other hand, is more complex and requires substantial learning.
5. Connectivity: Smartphones excel at connecting to the Internet and easy sharing of images on social media. Professional photography equipment typically has more limited connectivity options.
The Cons of Smartphone Photography
The downsides of convenience:
1. Overall Quality: The results achieved by a skilled photographer often surpass what smartphones can produce.
2. Confidence: How confident are you that your smartphone’s results will compare to those of an experienced professional whose career is photography?
3. Lighting: The small flash on the back of your phone often produces terrible lighting! Experts understand the principles of lighting and utilize their knowledge and high-end gear to create superior results.
4. Lack of Control: Smartphone users regularly rely on the device’s automated settings, relinquishing control over crucial decisions that can significantly impact the outcome.
5. Delegating: Sometimes you just need the peace of mind to entrust a professional photographer with the responsibility of capturing images at events and weddings, allowing you to fully participate and enjoy the occasion.
Having compared both options, it’s easy to see why smartphone cameras are immensely popular: they offer convenience, good quality images & video, and ease of use. However, they may fall short in terms of the high-quality imagery and precision that experts and professional grade gear regularly deliver.
Summary of Photographers & Smartphones
Although they differ, pro cameras and smart phones share some of their cutting-edge technologies:
• Larger megapixel count: (millions of pixels) for producing high-resolution images!
• Improved Image Stabilization: which counteracts camera shake.
• High-Speed Burst Modes: enabling you to capture fleeting action shots!
• 8K+ resolution sizes for sharper, more detailed videos!
Photography technology continues to advance, with mirrorless cameras gaining popularity over DSLRs, increasing megapixel sizes, and emerging technologies such as drone and 3D tours gaining popularity.
In parallel, smartphones are also evolving rapidly. It’s not uncommon to find multiple cameras, enhanced low-light capabilities (to reduce image noise), and sophisticated features such as facial recognition with a variety of digital effects available on your mobile device.
I believe that both professional cameras and smartphones have important roles in our future, each offering unique value. Their coexistence enriches our creative possibilities, and losing either would be a significant loss! My hope is to see more photographers, whether professional or amateur, continue to create their art and share it with the world.
Wrapping up this Trending Photography Debate
In conclusion, smartphones are versatile and convenient tools for photography, providing quick and accessible solutions. However, when compared to professional-grade equipment wielded by experts, distinctions become evident.
Hiring a professional photographer for events, portraits, or special projects guarantees peace of mind and exceptional results. Your choice depends on the importance of achieving excellence, your available time and budget, and whether your smartphone can realistically meet your photographic goals. These are the factors that must be considered when making decisions about your photography needs.
