Cameras and photography have experienced an interesting roller coaster ride since the 1960s.
In 1960, there were an estimated 10 crore cameras worldwide and these produced upto 80 lakh photographs everyday. Learning film photography from shooting to developing took the best part of twelve months. Learning the intricacies of composition, light metering, developing and printing took time and attaining proficiency required a good degree of both theoretical plus practical knowledge and experience.
As we enter 2025, there are an estimated 70 crore cameras including smartphones and upto 50 crore photographs are reckoned to have been taken every day. Smartphone and digital technology call the shots and film cameras are a memory. Learning mobile photography is significantly easier and can take just a few weeks. Mobile apps like Snapseed and Instagram do not take long to master. Technology handles most complexities. AI can do all the cropping, filters and colour correction that you want.
What has not changed, however, is the creativity required to take a good picture.
All best wishes for 2025!
H. S. Billimoria
