Let there be Technocamography
December 5, 2008
For most of us the holiday season evokes a lot of good, warm emotions and memories that seem to come floating down with the snow. But recently there seems to be a few other emotions that have been venting themselves. What’s all this I hear about the new Nikon D3X? It’s expensive? …Sorry my surprise at all the fuss, it has been a very long time since I have classified any new digital SLR D3, D300, D700 or otherwise as “inexpensive.” There is no need to rewrite what others have said already (e.g. here and here) but I did want to write this post for one very particular reason. All-ya-all writing mean comments on photography blogs have inspired me and I think I have determined the problem. People aren’t getting bent out of shape over issues of photography, but rather something else altogether. Never-fear, I think I can fix the confusion -I’ve decided to give it a name.
Intro to Technocamography
I am quite certain that many, if not most serious photographers are not getting bent out of shape at the price of the latest Nikon, but there is a growing number of people who own and use expensive cameras, photographic gear, and software etc. more or less just because they enjoy the experience. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and if given the chance I would probably join right in. However, a subset of those in this group take their photographic experience very seriously. These individuals are generally much less concerned with photography and much more concerned with taking pictures. In this category performance, speed, megapixels, newness, and yes price are everything -not because they are needed to take the picture but because they define the art of technocamography. In short, for lack of a better term or definition, I have defined technocamography as: the serious discussion, evaluation, and use of the latest in photographic equipment; generally concerned with technical aspects and infrequently with artistic value or substance.
This is indeed where the conflict starts. Photographers and technocamographers come at a similar subject from very different angles and for such a long time have been forced to believe they must agree to both be valuable to society. Now I hope we can finally come to the realization that there are two groups using photographic equipment; both are valuable although they are considerably different.
Why photographers need technocamographers
It may not be obvious but technocamographers are actually very important to photographers. Here is just a short list of reasons why.
