Doug Hammerberg

Today's Photography: A Blend of Art and Technology

Photography today is a dynamic blend of art and technology, offering endless opportunities for creativity and expression. The evolution of photography has been remarkable, transitioning from the early days of the camera obscura, daguerreotypes and silver halide on glass plates to the digital age, where high-resolution images can be captured with the click of a button and stored as a computer file.

Brief History

The history of photography is rich and varied. It began in the early 19th century with the invention of the camera obscura and the first permanent photograph by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. The development of film photography in the late 1800s and early 1900s brought photography to the masses, with innovations like the Kodak camera making it accessible to amateurs. The late 20th century saw the rise of digital photography, revolutionizing the way images are captured, stored, and shared.

Today's photography is a testament to the incredible advancements in technology and the enduring power of visual storytelling. Whether through professional equipment or a smartphone, photography continues to inspire and connect people across the globe.

Equipment

Modern photography equipment is diverse and some, very sophisticated. Other equipment is as simple as point and shoot. Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and mirrorless cameras are popular among professionals and enthusiasts for their versatility and image quality. These cameras offer interchangeable lenses, allowing photographers to choose the perfect lens for any situation, whether it's a wide-angle lens for landscapes or a telephoto lens for wildlife photography. Additionally, smartphone cameras have advanced significantly, providing powerful tools for casual photographers and social media enthusiasts.

DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) and mirrorless cameras are two popular types of digital cameras, each with its own advantages and characteristics.

• Mechanism: DSLRs use a mirror mechanism to reflect light from the camera's lens up into an optical viewfinder. When you take a photo, the mirror flips up to allow light to reach the image sensor. Mirrorless cameras, as the name suggests, do not have this mirror mechanism. Instead, light passes directly to the image sensor, and the image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder or the camera's LCD screen.

• Size and Weight: Mirrorless cameras are generally more compact and lighter than DSLRs because they lack the mirror and optical viewfinder system. This makes them more portable and easier to carry around.

• Autofocus: DSLRs traditionally had an advantage in autofocus speed and accuracy, especially in low-light conditions, due to their phase-detection autofocus systems. However, modern mirrorless cameras have significantly improved their autofocus capabilities, with many now offering fast and accurate autofocus performance.

• Battery Life: DSLRs typically have longer battery life compared to mirrorless cameras. This is because DSLRs can use the optical viewfinder without consuming battery power, whereas mirrorless cameras rely on electronic viewfinders or LCD screens, which consume more power.

• Lens and Accessory Availability: DSLRs have been around longer, so they generally have a wider range of lenses and accessories available. However, the selection for mirrorless cameras is rapidly growing as they become more popular.

• Image Quality: Both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can produce excellent image quality. The choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and specific needs rather than image quality alone.

Ultimately, the choice between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera depends on factors like size preference, lens availability, and specific features that are important to the photographer.

Applications and Opportunities 

Photography today spans a wide range of applications. In the commercial sector, photographers capture images for advertising, fashion, and product photography. In journalism, photojournalists document events and tell stories through powerful imagery. Artistic photography allows individuals to express their creativity and explore new perspectives. Moreover, photography plays a crucial role in scientific research, medical imaging, and even forensic investigations.

Photography offers a diverse range of career paths, each catering to different interests and skills. Portrait photographers specialize in capturing the essence of individuals or groups, often working in studios or on location. Wedding and event photographers document special occasions, creating lasting memories for clients. Commercial photographers focus on advertising and marketing, producing images for products, fashion, or food. Photojournalists tell stories through images, capturing news and events for media outlets. Fine art photographers express creative visions, often exhibiting their work in galleries. Additionally, wildlife and nature photographers explore the natural world, while sports photographers capture the excitement of athletic events. Each path requires a unique set of skills and offers distinct opportunities for creative expression and professional growth.

The digital age has opened up numerous opportunities for photographers. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest provide a global stage for photographers to showcase their work and connect with audiences worldwide. Online marketplaces and stock photo websites offer avenues for photographers to sell their images. Additionally, the demand for visual content in marketing and branding has created a thriving industry for freelance photographers and content creators. 

Science and the field of medicine also offer a variety of opportunities from capturing images that aid in research, diagnosis, and education. Scientific photographers document experiments, specimens, and phenomena, providing visual data that supports scientific research and publications. Medical photographers, also known as biomedical photographers, create detailed images of medical conditions, surgical procedures, and anatomical specimens for use in patient care, medical education, and research. These professionals often work in hospitals, research institutions, or universities, where their work contributes to advancements in medical knowledge and practice. Both fields require a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of scientific and medical concepts to effectively communicate complex information through imagery.

Conclusion

Whether as a career path or a hobby, photography is a dynamic and versatile skill that combines technical skills with creative expression. Understanding the basics of photography, such as composition, lighting, and camera settings, provides a strong foundation for anyone interested in this art form. As technology continues to evolve, photographers have more tools at their disposal to capture and share their vision with the world.

The Road Less Traveled: A Personal Journey

4 AM, two days after Christmas, it was snowing like crazy, and there was no one on the highway. I was driving to Detroit from Kalamazoo to start the next phase of my life. Joining the Navy was a step that made sense—a step that offered stability, a step that would make me money, a step that would grow me up and grow me up fast. And, I was going to be a photographer. Not just a photographer, a US Naval Schools of Photography photographer.

The US Naval Schools of Photography was world-renowned. It would teach me everything I needed to know. In 1984, everything in photography was still analog, tactile, hands-on. I would learn to load my own film canisters, develop my own film, and print my own photographs. I would learn everything I needed to know to become a proficient and professional photographer. And I did. I became a very good photographer. 

What I didn’t know was how the United States Navy and the people I would meet along the way would change me. It would help shape me and make me the person I am today.

In 1984, life seemed simpler, less dangerous, friendlier. Making it through boot camp was tough, but not impossible by any means. Keep your head down, mouth shut, don’t draw attention to yourself, eat fast, and sleep whenever you had the chance. That would get you through. And I did make it through.

After that, it was on to photo school. The goal had been set almost a year earlier when I told a US Navy recruiter the only way the Navy was getting me was to sign me up for their photography program. 

Mind you, I had scored high enough on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) that the recruiter was pushing hard to get me into their nuclear field, a big feather in his cap. He told me there wasn’t a spot in the photo school. 

I held firm to my goals and told him that I would wait for as long as it took to get a spot in the school. Seven months later, it was 4 AM, and I was leaving Kalamazoo for Detroit on a snowy morning in late December.

Things were different at photo school right after boot camp. I was in sunny Pensacola, Florida, in March. The feeling was freedom. Yes, there were still rules, regulations, order. However, understand, I had been so conditioned in the last two months to not think for myself, to just do as I was told. Now I could come and go as I pleased, spend my money—freedom. 

At 18, I could buy a beer from a vending machine in the lobby of my barracks that was right next to the pay phone. A pay phone that I would share with about 20 other guys daily to call my girlfriend, who would a year later become my wife. Life was good.

I can only say thank-you. Thank-you to my wife for sticking with me. Thank you to my twin brother for all of his support. Thank you to the United States Naval Schools of Photography for providing me with a foundation that is still relevant, and rock solid today, as it was the day I graduated in late 1985.

Life has come full circle for me. I will retire in a year or so after over 30 years in law enforcement. The next step? Getting back on that road less traveled.