Digital Communication
What is Digital Communication? Digital Communication is information transmitted digitally. In particular, this information can be many things but this page will look at the role of Digital Communication involving photographs.
When Photography was first introduced in the early 1840's, inventors or buffs were the only ones who really had access to cameras. They were a select group of individuals that knew how to operate them. In some ways, Photography was seen as evidence. It captured art and more importantly life. The photos meant something and supplied an emotional charge. They had the ability to jump out and really engage and stand out to the audience much like the concept, 'punctum'. Photographs had the ability to dent public opinion where there was an appropriate context of feeling and attitude. They enabled the viewer to be touched and moved depending on the meaning and the effect of a single image. (Please note that the images below try to convey the effect of 'punctum'. As a result some of these images may be quiet graphic)
When Photography was first introduced in the early 1840's, inventors or buffs were the only ones who really had access to cameras. They were a select group of individuals that knew how to operate them. In some ways, Photography was seen as evidence. It captured art and more importantly life. The photos meant something and supplied an emotional charge. They had the ability to jump out and really engage and stand out to the audience much like the concept, 'punctum'. Photographs had the ability to dent public opinion where there was an appropriate context of feeling and attitude. They enabled the viewer to be touched and moved depending on the meaning and the effect of a single image. (Please note that the images below try to convey the effect of 'punctum'. As a result some of these images may be quiet graphic)
As the digital age hit after the industrial revolution, digital communication evolved. It was now easier for the "average Joe' to purchase a camera. Similar to the previous years before the industrial era, photography was once again used to capture life. However, Photography was not just limited to buffs or inventors any more. Those who could afford the luxury of owning a camera also indulged in this art. People started to capture family events, holidays, tourist attractions, events to show participation etc. Photography had become a tool for experience something, for giving an appearance of participation. They supplied a glimpse of our past and began duplicating the world at that very same moment. Along with the digital age came the evolution of computers, internet, the invention of smart phones which included cameras and the invention of Social Media.
Our desire for technological evolution has not slowed but rather rapidly increased. In 2000, the first camera phone was introduced and by 2008 Apple released the iPhone 3g which included a camera. Social media sites/applications began to formulate on the web which included Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat and many more.
Our desire for technological evolution has not slowed but rather rapidly increased. In 2000, the first camera phone was introduced and by 2008 Apple released the iPhone 3g which included a camera. Social media sites/applications began to formulate on the web which included Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat and many more.
With the ease of access of camera photography along with the ease of sharing those photos that are taken, the quality and meaning behind an image slowly dwindles away. Generations of today grow up with this technology. These camera phones and DSLR cameras are mere accessories to teenagers and all else who jump on board. The mass production of images and the ease of sharing do not share those same principals that Photography once had. For example, in today's day and age there is an application called Snapchat. It enables the user to send short snaps of images that have a time restricted time limit to view them. 10's, 100's and even 1000's are sent by single users per day. The idea that over time, a photograph loses meaning, diminishes the power of the concept 'punctum'. As the evolution of photography does not just include innovations in camera technology, but covers a broader area of smartphones and the development of social media. These developments have overthrown the value of a single photograph, and encourage the fleeting nature of photography through mass exposure.
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