Technology has changed almost every aspect of our lives, so it should come as no surprise that huge strides are constantly being made in the world of the visual arts too. While some still cling to the somewhat magical physical mediums of film reels, dark rooms, and ribbons – now, you can take high-definition photos and videos directly from your phone.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the key ways that digital technology is still revolutionizing videography and photography with the advent of smartphone cameras, digital video production and editing, and even the ability to scan old prints and switch super 8 film to DVD.
The Digital Photography Revolution
Although they have now become so much a part of our everyday lives that we barely go anywhere without one in our pockets, the first digital cameras weren’t available until 1995.
Instead of using a piece of film to capture the light that it is exposed to when the shutter opens, digital cameras use electronic equipment which allows for a digital version of the image to be stored. This simple change made the art of photography much more accessible and available, and it led to even more rapid technological advancements in the industry.
Now, around 85% of Americans own a smartphone, the vast majority of which comes with a digital camera built-in. This level of integration into our lives has had a profound impact on how we behave, how we interact with the world around us, and even more besides.
Digital Photo Scanning
Besides the use of digital cameras themselves, technology has also been used to give a whole new life to original photo prints. As a physical medium, prints have always been relatively vulnerable and temporary objects – fading and wearing down over time or simply becoming lost or hidden away.
Now, digital photo scanning services allow you to preserve, retouch, store, and share printed photographs in a way that was never possible before. Black and white images can be colorized, damaged images can be restored, and low-quality images can be enhanced.
Rather than becoming forgotten relics of a bygone era, digital technology provides ways to bring film photography into the modern age, and ensure that its value is never forgotten.
Digital Videography
Of course, the world of videography has also been irreversibly changed by advancements in digital technology as well. Being able to capture and store video in a digital format has allowed for a huge number of innovations in almost every area you could imagine, including:
- Cheaper, faster, and easier production (Around 10% of the cost of the traditional film)
- High quality (4K, 8K, HD, etc.) with more control
- Smaller, more capable equipment
- Advanced post-production and editing software
- Special effects and Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI)
- Digital preservation
- Distribution (Streaming services, digital downloads, etc.)
- 3D, VR, AR, and much, much more…
Digital Video Conversion
Not only are there new ways to capture, edit, and distribute video, but there are new ways to revitalize your old home movies too.
Super8 film was one of the first videography revolutions, putting video into the hands of millions of people around the world. Now, you can actually digitize your Super8 film and put it onto a DVD, preserving it forever and even allowing you to edit and improve it too.