HW10: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

DISCUSSION

What are the effects of photography technology on youth culture?

Definition of Photography Technology

Photography technology at present has the peculiar dominion in producing its effects insensibly and invisibly over the world. With the discovery of internet, the field of photography has grown tremendously in just a snap. It has dominated already the lives of people especially the youth. Photography now, as an art form, applied with the modern technology become the stepping stone for a greater development. According to Michael R. Peres of Rochester Institute of Technology, photography as a field has become progressively dependent on technology in the era of digital technology where imaging equipment, software, and related products are necessary in producing and delivering photographs as well as related services at a professional level. Typically, it does not only pertain to one kind of technology which is the cameras or gadget and equipment used in taking photographs. Photography technology was maximized to three types which includes the gadget and equipment, photo editing software, and social media sites.

Types of Photography Technology

A. Gadgets and Equipment

Photography would not be complete without cameras. The only thing which can record a certain event permanently that the eye can only capture for a couple of seconds is the camera. With the innovations nowadays, cameras became digital and were added some features and applications not present in the previous cameras invented. With better accessibility and convenience in usage, youth was easily hooked to be in the field of photography. As what Mr. John Crippen said, unlike other forms of technology such as computers, televisions, cell phones, and game consoles, digital camera is the only way of teen to explore outside the four corners of their houses and get some exercise. This is one form of technology which allure the youth and enhance their interaction with the world. In addition, the contributing factors to the attachment of young adolescents to photography technology include maximize storage of photographs using memory cards and personal computers, instant review of the photographs, time-saving characteristic in which reproducing, printing, editing, and uploading is very fast and attainable, and its other features such as shooting a video and recording audio.

B. Photo Editing Software

The demand for photo processing or editing nowadays is merely a need for the people wanting personalized photographs. Also, the fact that its existence and continuous growth in number contribute to the spread of this kind of programs in every computer. Photo editing software is a computer program that permits a user to change, edit, or enhance the photographs. The errors in anyone's photographs can be fixed with just few clicks of the mouse using the tools provided in the photo editing software. Photo manipulation is the process in which the image editing techniques are applied to photographs using photo editing software. When dealing with software which has a lot of useful functions, it is essential to be knowledgeable about this because it involves a degree of learning. Some photo editing software provides tutorials to show how to use specific tools and features. Among the photo editing software found on the internet, Adobe Photoshop is the oldest, but the professional standard of all other models of photo editing software are Photoscape, Paint.net, Corel Paint Shop, Pixlr.com, and most recently, Instagram. The member of tools available and different file formats supported are the main differences between these software products.

C. Social Networking Site

One of the most influential thing in our society is the social networking site. This web site is widely used by million of people around the globe. A virtual community which allow users to share their time-to-time moments and activities with family and friends was provided through this thing. Improvement of social life by means of making friends, knowing other people through chat or email. Was also a benefit for the users. Moreover, it created a better way of communication with other people in distant peaces with different races.

An online profile similar to a biographical data or resume was made wherein personal information about the users were secured. In relation to photography, a social networking would not be complete without photographs which made it unique from other sites on the internet. Uploading and sharing photos were allowed as long as it does not affect other people. Facebook is the most common and top social site at present. It was introduced last 2004 targeting college students but the amount of users were multiplied when it was opened to public having no age limits. Other common social media sites include Twitter, Tumblr, and on the previous years, there were the Friendster and Myspace which also became popular and created their own radical change.

Effects of Photography Technology on Youth Culture

There are two ways on how photography technology help the youth in socializing: through social media site, and interaction outside their houses. Allowable reconnection to the world were sharpened through photography. Eighty percent of the respondents in the survey said that photographs uploaded help in making friends and socializing with other people through the social media sites especially on Facebook. With the cameras on hand, youth can easily take photographs anywhere and anytime they want. Participation and accompaniment of the parents help to bring back the family bonding.

Photography technology does not greatly harm the studies of youth today. Based from one of the researches, teenagers tend to do multitasking, but when it comes to photography, it is the other way around. Many teenagers set aside the unimportant things to do and learn to prioritize tasks. Based on the survey conducted, youth do the taking and editing photographs only on their free time. Learning new knowledge about the usage of cameras and software was also a benefit for them.

Happiness and satisfaction were the majority feeling of youth at present when taking and editing photographs. By means of taking photographs, the youth can merely express their ideas and mood. With the application of technology on photography, the tendency is the exploration of youth to new things.

Accessibility, affordability, and quality are the basis of teenagers in choosing the right gadget or equipment in taking photographs. Ease of use, time-saving, and photo sharing capabilities are the qualifications in choosing a photo editing software. These factors were affected by the youth's economical status. Practicality also comes to this issue.

Enhancement of creative thinking and improvement skills were discovered through the influence of photography technology to the youth. The photographs taken or edited through the photo editing software did not affect the way of thinking of the young adolescents, but instead created the broad imagination.