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Instagram: Is it killing the photography industry?

Friday, June 8, 2012 Posted inALL,ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

They say that the new culture of having a camera on your phone is the beginning of the end for professional photographers everywhere. That we should be so concerned because people no longer NEED you to take a picture, they can take it themselves. They say that with free photo-sharing apps like Instagram it allows people to be more creative with photography, and its killing the need to hire a creative photographer because nowadays anyone can be a creative photographer.

They say a lot of things.

But I think the easy access to cameras on our phones, and the awesome photo-sharing apps like Instagram may actually be beneficial to us photographers. People are falling in love with photography more today than ever before. And as people fall more and more in love with photography, they are more and more fascinated by us as professional photographers. I think it helps create value for us. Most of the time when you compare the work of a professional photographer to that of an amateur there is a huge difference, and if anything – the explosion of photography is helping to highlight that difference, adding value to those of us who understand a thing or two about photography. It’s not all about clicking a button, it is so much more than that, and I think people realise that now more than ever. I think that adds value.

But what do I know? ;)

Anyways … Scrolling through Instagram has become so nostalgic for me. Like a diary. My phone contract is up for renewal this month and I will finally get to kiss my iPhone 3 good-bye and hopefully say hello to a brand new lightning-fast iPhone 4s. What does that mean? More instagraming :). YAY!

What is YOUR relationship with Instagram like? Do you think it’s killing the industry?

Posted inALL,ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

  • http://www.davehodgkinson.com/ Dave Hodgkinson

    I settled on Camera+ for toy camera.

    Do you get much out of the Instagram “community”?

  • http://thephotogshelper.com Kathy

    I *adore* Instagram. That was one of the main reasons I was so excited to switch to my iPhone 4s. It’s so amazing, and the camera is so fantastic….you will LOVE it.

    And I totally agree with you. I feel that the interest that everyone is putting into and giving to photography now (and even the fact that anyone can get a DSLR) actually has helped our industry. Because of the availability of the equipment, there is a greater exposure to the fact that the camera doesn’t make the photographer, that there is more than just clicking the button, etc. So it’s helping us I believe in fully.

  • http://www.flickr.com/vewolff Ve

    i really like instagram. and i don’t think that it destroys the photopraphy-industry. for me the most important difference is the quality. photography-photos have a better quality and you have much more options to edit them. instagram is nice to do some beautiful snapshots but yes, i think it’s nothing which is possible to be a danger for real photographers. and like you said Alex, maybe more people get interested in photography. don’t know if you now these projects where you have a topic everyday and then you take a photo which belongs to this topic. a lot of people do it on instagram and it’s really fun and you can be creative everyday wihtout taking your camera with you. here you can see the concept of june ;) http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/2012/06/photoa-day-june-its-time.html
    Love, Ve

  • http://www.laurenbythesea.com Laurenbythesea

    I’m absolutely addicted to it, it feels like a big part of my day. It’s a treat to myself and i am also so thankful to it because it makes me photograph what I’m drawn to in a way that my DSLR does not. We take our phones everywhere and so the little details or moments I now capture tell the story of my every day life, thoughts and desires. I couldn’t be without it xxx

  • http://www.fitforthesoul.com Ellie@Fit for the Soul

    Oh man I tooootally agree with your theory Alex! When I started to love taking pictures (although super amateur, even now) and see the creativity that goes into them, I became equally fascinated by professionals. For example, when I got to take engagement photoshoots I was so in awe of our photographer and all the fun and hard work he put into it. :)

  • http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com Alex Beadon

    Ellie!

    Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your comment – it’s really great to hear someone else’s opinion, so thank you! I appreciate it :)

    Big hugs
    xoxo

  • Lucy

    I love instagram. I deleted my facebook a couple of months ago, and using twitter and instagram feels so much better! I love keeping up with my friends via their pictures, it feels so much nicer to do. Maybe it’s because I love photography, but you know, I prefer visually interacting with people and instagram is great for that :) x