And now this

The death of photography as we know it and have practiced for years has occurred some time ago; just that we were in some sort of denial. With the advent of the photo sensor the paradigm shifted but we tenaciously held on to the notion that we could go on as before. Many of us did to our detriment since we did not realize that digital offered many more possibilities. We just shot as if we had film in our cameras. We bought more and more expensive stuff that looked like film equipment and shot away with abandon. Our happiness was augmented by the fact that we didn't have to buy film anymore. But we were fooling ourselves. We belittled the smaller cameras that we deemed  derogatorily as focus and shoot and lauded our large sensors. This sensor pride reached it's peak when cameras with so called full size sensors became  commonly available. Actually Kodak, the inventor of the photo sensor and of it's own poison, has come out with a full sensor cameras at the dawn of digital but it was plagued by weak bodies and other early problems that plagued the field. Just the name full sixe, i.e 24X36 mm is size, exactly that of a 35mm frame is an acceptance that film was still the determining factor. Actually, every size sensor is full size.

What ensued very quickly was a slide to the abyss of traditional photography and a reluctantly acceptance by many of us that things had changed. Not only did things improve with small cameras but now phones have incredible photo taking abilities. Naturally the expensive gear will produce better images but there's such a diminishing return in price versus quality that one has to wonder. Sure one cannot shoot as a pro using a small camera or a cell phone but the video capabilities and frame rates of newer cameras are such that the creative moment itself is becoming a thing of the past and is in danger of dying. So what is left then other that traditional photography's funeral? Not much I'm afraid. The fact that I have been using my E PL-2 as an ideal travel camera sort of proves my thesis.  So now this, a fun system that allows not only direct access to social media but prints a  images as the old Polaroid did.  Photography should be fun and easy. It's the end result that counts. There are those who still shoot at brick walls to test how sharp their very expensive lenses are and if this makes them happy who am I to criticize them. I think that many of us understand where I'm heading so this announcement doesn't worry me. As my old and great teacher Josef Breittenbach used to say, when talking about  photography getting easier" "you can still count the great photographers with the finger of one hand." He had the class to exclude himself from that august hand but I include him. I will never think of being in that small club, however.

The Instagram Socialmatic Instant Camera is Coming in 2013

A few months back, a concept camera dubbed the Instagram Socialmatic was getting quite a bit of love from the internet. It's a cool idea, essentially combining the convenience and customization of Instagram with the instant printing of a Polaroid.  Using it, you can share photos you take online or print them out for instant appreciation.

As it turns out, the Socialmatic has made it to production.  The new camera boasts 16GB of storage, Wi-Fi and even a pair of lenses. It's definitely something that's unique to the market, and could see a lot of love when it comes out.

The release date is slated for mid-2013 at the moment, and a price has yet to be announced.