I don’t profess to be a soothsayer so you won’t find some huge prediction from me in this post. I see all sorts of blogs and articles with headlines that go something like, “Is this the death of photography”, “This invention may soon replace photographers” or “The death of the SLR camera”.
What I find interesting, a few years ago many predicted the death of film cameras. While there are not many new advances or new models of film cameras being developed but you can still buy film and film cameras. In fact, looking at a big-name photography retailer and online store you can even buy a pinhole camera.
A few short years ago smartphone cameras took small, grainy, blurry photographs. Today’s modern smartphone cameras can rival the quality of many dedicated cameras and the technology is advancing. As I think about it, my smartphone is a miniature computer. It has replaced my address book, my GPS device, my landline telephone, and my radio. I can stream movies and television with my smartphone. I no longer need a dedicated device to store and play digital music. While I still have vinyl records and compact discs with music I rarely use them. Although, I am getting back into listening to vinyl records.
I’m not saying I’m giving up my dedicated cameras for smartphone photography. Not in a moment. Hell, I started shooting film again with my twin lens reflex and a 35mm film camera. I may soon look into adding to my film camera collection and do more with them along with developing my own film again.
I’m thrilled to think where photography may go next because we will have more options available. I, for one, love to embrace new advances in technology.
Photographer Clay 
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