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The future of photography

Technology thinks for itself? Do we want our cameras to have a brain?

The more digital technology advances the more thinking the camera does for itself. This could be seen as a good or bad thing depending on what type of photographer you are. For the enthusiastic and professional photographer there will always be a manual type of camera that they can control however for the masses the invasion of the brainy camera can be seen as an exciting or scary factor.

A recent product that falls into this category is the Party-shot IPT-DS1 from Sony. Compatible only with the new compacts from Sony, the Cyber-Shot WX1 and TX1, the 360 degree turn table sits in the centre of the room and captures images without you having to do a thing. The machine works in conjunction with face, smile and blink detection and is marketed by Sony as being able to capture natural shots as the subject is unaware that they are being photographed. Is this technology gone too far or the way the masses want camera technology to go? Sony has certainly come up with an innovative product and the concept of the camera not needing a photographer anymore has become a reality.

Face, smile, blink detection and intelligent auto modes are now common place features on every compact model. The technology has the capabilities to take away any sort of control from the user however more manufacturers appear to be including manual controls alongside these features. This gives the user options to advance up the camera ladder trying to encourage them to progress to the next model.  Included on many compact are additional features that go beyond the control of the user, for example lighting features that are designed to help in bright contrast conditions and dynamic range settings are becoming more common in many models. This type of technology means the amateur photographer can achieve excellent result with a point and shoot compact and for the masses, this is surely is a good thing. 

It is not just the thinking capacity of the camera that has increased but innovative features are now becoming increasingly popular. We have already discussed the Fujifilm 3D technology but Samsung and Nikon are also recent competitors to produce products into this end of the market.

Robert King the director of Samsung Electronics claims “Consumers lead very sophisticated and complex lifestyles and they require solutions that offer ease of use, more intelligent image management systems and greater connectivity.” This quote ties in to the new dual LCD compacts, the ST550 and ST500 that Samsung has recently launched. This type of technology may not appeal to everyone and could be seen as a bit of a gimmick however it does have its uses. Firstly being able to take a self portrait shot is a great novelty but the use of the front screen does not stop there. The self timer counts down on the front and Samsung has even included a children mode that is a animation of a clown designed to keep children’s attention as you are taking a photograph. The camera has now become more than just a camera, it is entertaining us and telling us what we need to do. 

Another innovative product recently announced is the S1000pj compact camera from Nikon. This is the first camera with a built in projector however the S1000pj does come with its limitations such as a one hour battery life and the projection size of the screen cannot go that large. These issues aside the camera is significant in changing the way we view images and videos and in a few years time projectors could become an additional feature on many cameras. 

Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the gimmicks and what is ground-breaking technology however the popularity of most of these products rests on the consumer’s shoulders. There is no predicting the exact future of feature technology however one thing is for sure if the manufacturers carry on with their creative thinking than the possibilities are endless. 

“This technology is highly impressive however for some people it may have gone too far. Do people want a machine to do the thinking for them or is this the type of world we live in today?” Claire Gillo, Digital Camera Essentials.

"Wireless technology in cameras has many applications of use whether it be commercial or personal. Travel photographers can pinpoint exact shot placements and routes during photo-shoots creating a point of interest map with their photos. Underwater cameras can be connected to onboard computers to relay images in the case of camera damage allowing for much more adventurous shots." Steve Litton.

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