Photographers capture a moment in time. Their photographs record history.
Ansel Adams’ (1902-1984) black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West are historical studies of the environment, then. His final prints offered images with high contrast and sharpness because he calculated the right light exposure and because he used a large format camera.
Diana Arbus (1923-1971) photographed “marginalized” people. She wanted to portray the reality of “others” on static film. Many critics considered her art ugly. Over the years she used several cameras and played with lighting for the purpose to highlight the relationship between herself and her subjects.
These photo-journalists-artists used many cameras, changed their lens, adjusted lighting, and employed various development techniques to produce photographic images as Art.
That was then.
The first real camera phone was produced in 2000 in Japan but it was Sanyo’s 2002 chunky clamshell design with a 0.3-mega-pixel capacity that launched using the mobile phone as a camera.
Contemporary photographer Robert Fisher’s work gives us a glimpse of a state in time.
“I love using my cell phone (as a camera) because I can shoot people more slyly; I look like I’m just checking my phone for email,” Fisher said.
Today’s pocket-sized and easy to use camera phone allows people the opportunity to capture unplanned or posed moments we deem important. We don’t require technical knowledge because phone camera settings are automatic. Format and edit features are built in and easy to use.
Liz Miller chats and snaps using a Samsung S5note cell phone. The ease of taking a photo with this small device that is always camera ready gave her the ability to record her “outlook on life.” It launched her into a career as a photographer.
She is drawn to vivid colors, architecture, flowers, and cloud formations. She sees and records shadows falling on buildings, reflections in raindrops, and intimate parts in a flower. Once Liz snaps a photo, she may, or may not keep it. It’s easy to review photos, trash those she doesn’t want, and enhance others. She selects images to reproduce on paper and canvas.
Throughout February her work was shown at SLO Provisions (1255 Monterey Street). In April a new set of photo reproductions can be viewed at B. Anthony & Company jewelers (674 Higuera).
The camera phone does have limitations. Its technology is low-resolution pixel quality that limits a sharp image to a smaller reproduction size. For large prints the pixel file must be large, colors enhanced, and sharpness defined. With adjustments and enhancements, the camera phone images could be reproduced in large sizes on paper and canvas. And, there’s an App for that.
Phone picture taking is all about the “moment.” The instant printout feature that we enjoyed with the boxy Polaroid camera isn’t available, yet, with a camera phone. But, who needs an instant print when we can easily share our memories to social media!
What is important is that photographs taken with camera phones are being recognized as art. The taker makes the difference.
Happy snapping.
By Jayne Behman
