The rapid advancement of technology has majorly changed the way people take pictures and view images. Digital technology and social media have revolutionized photography, making it easier for people to share images with the rest of the world. As Professor Nordell says in his video, “Facebook if by land, tweet if by sea.” Throughout history, we have used different kinds of photographic technology to take pictures of images that evoke emotions and tell stories. Cameras, as well as other equipment necessary to produce the perfect shot have helped capture key moments in history, and have impacted how people view the world. As photographer Bob Capa once said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.” The evolution of photography has changed the way photojournalists are able to take pictures, allowing them to be closer to the action. This change has created a more dominant role for photojournalism in mainstream media.
Cameras have radically changed throughout history, and new advances in technology have allowed modern day cameras to capture crystal clear images. However, in earlier years, cameras did not have the same features as they do today, making it harder to take a perfect shot. In May of 1959, the 35 mm Single Lens Reflex camera was developed, and helped improve the way photojournalists took pictures. Unlike any other camera of its time, the 35mm Single Lens Reflex camera, as author Rene Smith explains, “use[s] a mirror and prism system to allow photographers to accurately see the image that will be captured. This system uses one optical light path whereas previous cameras had two, one through the lens to the film and the other to the viewfinder.” This camera gave photographers the chance to see images at eye level, directly through the lens and also allowed them to change the lenses. Photographers were able to capture images as they truly were. The 35mm SLR camera, which contains a 35 millimeter film, was made to be lightweight and easy to use.
The 35 mm Single Lens Reflex camera had a major impact on photojournalism, by allowing photojournalists to take more accurate pictures that could be shared with the world. Since the camera was more compact and lightweight, photojournalists were able to take photos of people or events instantly without having to lug around heavy equipment. Unlike the SLR cameras, the earlier photojournalists, as author Eric Niiler explains, needed “an entire wagon worth of equipment and chemicals… Each time they moved, they had to secure bottles of chemicals and plate,” "Each time they stopped, it had to be level.”’ With the invention of this new hassle free camera, it allowed for photojournalists to travel to different places and capture images, all while storing their camera in their bag. The 35 mm Single Lens Reflex allows a photojournalist to be where the action is, and as Arthur Feligg says in the video, “Quality does matter, especially since our reputation is staked behind it. But we still need to be there, and we still need to get the shot. Otherwise, we’ve got nothing.” When trying to take a picture, photojournalists try to capture images that show the truth, no matter the place or time. The 35 mm Single Lens Reflex camera gave photojournalists the ability to take shots using different lenses. As Professor Nordell explains in his video, this camera had “the ability to have different lens, and the technology and film changed so you can take pictures in areas where it was darker, which was a great help for photojournalists. Also with these lenses some were really wide angled so if you were in a tight space you could take a shot…some are much longer... if you can’t get close to a subject.” Having a camera that gives you the ability to change lenses makes it easier to get a shot, especially if you cannot be up close to the action. Photojournalists were able to take photos like never before with this camera and it did not matter the location of the event. This camera also allowed the photographer to see an image as it really was. As author Tom Davis says, “the scene that is projected on the film is exactly what you saw through the viewfinder.” This changed photojournalism because people were able to see exactly what the photojournalist saw when taking a picture. The photos taken were not distorted and these photos gave people a real perception of the conflict or event.
With all the modern day advancements in photographic technology, it is hard to imagine what it would be like taking a picture using an old camera. Nowadays, people are so use to using their phones as cameras, that they are able to take pictures anytime they want. When taking the picture of the sunset on the lake, it was super easy and convenient because all I had to do was pull out my IPhone and hold it up to the landscape. By just pressing on my phone once, the camera adjusted the lighting and focused the image all by itself. It was so easy and fast to take the picture and I was able to view it right away. If I had tried to take the picture using a 35 mm Single Lens Reflex camera, I think it would have been much more difficult. First off, since it was getting dark outside, I would have had to put a different lens on the camera that was specifically designed for night time. I would have also had to adjust the focus on the camera, as well as possibly zoom in or out. Since the camera takes 35 mm film, I would have had to wait to get my negatives developed to see the picture I took. However, both types of cameras are easily portable and do not take up much space, which allows photojournalists to travel the world and document what is occurring.
Photo By Burt Glinn
Image Source: http://www.burtglinn.com/Favorites.html
Photo by Brittany Burnett
Shot on an IPhone
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