The global spread of mobile technology and what it means for visual storytelling

[wolfnowl]

If you do business online this will be of interest:

http://www.david-campbell.org/2013/05/16/the-global-spread-of-mobile-technology-and-visual-storytelling/

Mike.

[Rob C]

I can appreciate there's value in a domestic computer-sized display, but a cellphone, to be of any use, must by definition remain tiny. Who in their right mind wants to look at pictures or read someting so small that constant scrolling is the only way to absorb the offered information? I sometimes need to show a person something on my website: I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace device, and it takes forever to get anything up, so long, in fact, that the subject goes dry before the picture arrives. In fact, as as example: I was eating with a yachtsman I know who's also been to Porto Cervo, and when I decided to show him a shot of the port, my food was ruined before the picture came up. In fact, the picture never came up: I couldn't find the damned thing despite knowing in which gallery it lay: the thumbnail display is far too small for me to recognize my own shots.

As for carrying a larger pad around, are you all going crazy? It's bad eneough carting a camera on a string, and that when you have something positive or even pressing in mind, but to saddle yourself with an object that you can't slip into your hip pocket, dare not leave alone at the table in any public place if you need to go pee, is nothing but a demonstration of the victory of ego, wedded to the desire to show off, over common sense. You know what? masochism is the new cool.

One day folks will leave all that shit at home - if they buy it at all - and realise that freedom comes from buying into less.

Rob C  

[RFPhotography]

Took a day trip to Niagara Falls last September for some kitschy street shooting.  The number of people walking around with tablets; using them to search for attractions and take pictures, was quite surprising.  My next book is going to deal with the use of smartphones and tablets in a photographer's workflow.

The first thing I do when I make a major update to my website is ensure it's still 'mobile friendly'. 

Rob, your Galaxy Ace is positively ancient in tech terms.  It works on older 2G/3G wireless bands, it's got a 'small' 3.5", low rez, VGA screen and it came out with Android 2.2.  Try viewing images on a modern HD screen that's 4.5" or larger with a fast processor and fast data connection using up to date apps that make finding images simple and quick and that have been properly organised and formatted on the computer before uploading to the device.  It's a much different and more pleasing experience.

[Rob C]

Took a day trip to Niagara Falls last September for some kitschy street shooting.  The number of people walking around with tablets; using them to search for attractions and take pictures, was quite surprising.  My next book is going to deal with the use of smartphones and tablets in a photographer's workflow.

The first thing I do when I make a major update to my website is ensure it's still 'mobile friendly'. 

Rob, your Galaxy Ace is positively ancient in tech terms.  It works on older 2G/3G wireless bands, it's got a 'small' 3.5", low rez, VGA screen and it came out with Android 2.2.  Try viewing images on a modern HD screen that's 4.5" or larger with a fast processor and fast data connection using up to date apps that make finding images simple and quick and that have been properly organised and formatted on the computer before uploading to the device.  It's a much different and more pleasing experience.

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I think I bought it last year; you really believe that I'm about to throw it away and spend another pile of money on such stuff?

My older mobiles sit here on a shelf, the only thing wrong with them being that I could no longer buy replacement batteries. Or so the local Telefonica store told me. I see this technology as a goldmine for everyone but the user.

Rob C

[RFPhotography]

Rob, I'm amazed that you have a smartphone of any stripe.  So, no, I don't expect that you'll be running out and getting a new one.  As with zoom lenses; however, your experience isn't exactly one that should be relied upon as comprehensive.

[Rob C]

Rob, I'm amazed that you have a smartphone of any stripe.  So, no, I don't expect that you'll be running out and getting a new one.  As with zoom lenses; however, your experience isn't exactly one that should be relied upon as comprehensive.

Quite; and so am I!

The only reason I do have one is that I couldn't replace batteries on two old ones: mine and that of my late wife. At the same time, I kept getting bumff from Telefonica telling me how many thousands of 'points' I had to my credit and that I could upgrade to X, Y or Z 'phones for a modest charge.

In the end, I compared the included cameras (magapixels only!) and decided that as I had no choice but to replace dead units, I might as well get a pocket camera at the same time.

The camera has proved its worth to me time after time, despite being almost impossible to see the subject in sunshine; the rest of the functions have been pretty unimpressive, complicated to get to memorize, and even accepting a call means sliding a mark on the screen across part of the screen; what the hell was wrong with the simple pressing of any key, as the previous 'phones allowed?

I also agree that my personal experiences do not make any general rules; equally, I'd be an idiot to disregard the evidence of my own, personal experiences.

Rob C