The Hipstamatic

In a recent class, our discussion led to the use of the Hipstamatic application for iphone. We used this story as our reference for both pictures and the background information: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/through-my-eye-not-hipstamatics/ . The person of interest in this article won third place in a photography contest; he used his iphone with the Hipstamatic app. to create his images.

During our discussion some people in class commented on how every one can now make a good picture and that the artists (trained photographers) are getting mad that these photos were even given recognition. In my opinion, I think the photographers, those who have spent many years of both their time and money working and learning photography have the right to complain and be mad. Those of us who are spending our time and money to go to school and learn are having our techniques, that we worked so long to master, taken away from us with the push of a button. Those of us who have taken our time to create intricate photographs and who have done editing that could only be achieved before in Photoshop with many hours of work, are being under minded by an amateur using an iphone that does all the work for him. The hard work a photographer does in the editing process is being given to just any one with this application. Sure the photo looks cool but the person using the phone did nothing but push a button to get it to look that way.

The skills and practice of an artist/ photographer are being thrown out the window because now everyone is able to create an image and any one can be a photographer. It takes more practice and knowledge to be able to create an image then clicking a button. I'd like for the amateurs using this app. to trade in their iphones and pick up a real camera (NOT a point and shoot) and take a good picture. I dare them to explain to how shutter speed and aperture work and what lighting they used in order to create their shot. Then I'd like them to use Photoshop or go into a dark room and edit their work. Many people have the notion that photography is easy, it's not, those experienced make it look easy but really it take a lot of time and attention to detail to make some thing look good. 

There is more to photography then clicking a button.