"Nearly 20 years after moving into the new millennium, there has never been a clearer change of photography styles and mediums. Camera-abled phones, selfie sticks, technology advancement were what contributed to this great shift into casual photography—mainly through selfies."
"Forgotten are proportions, editing and aesthetic pictures. Pictures don't matter if they are only taken for archive purposes anyway, especially if it is not shared on social media."
"Trying to fit everyone into the photo is more important. Cropping heads and bodies is normal, and faces hold the centre and focus of the image, even if this may erode the purpose of taking the photo at any particular location or during a particular event."
"This is because selfies became another way to “check-in” on social media: posting a photo to say, “Hey! I’m still alive and well. By the way, check this out, I’m having a meal with my family!” or simply, “My parents celebrated my birthday for me. Look! It really happened!”"
"Full-family selfies are usually a complement to the nicer shots taken on a DSLR. On top of having nicer individual shots with backgrounds, family selfies take on the role of including the entire family in a photo series."
"Modern family portraits are impromptu and sudden. There is no need to carry around a camera; everyone can decide to take a photo anytime, anywhere, as long as they have their phones. This truly captures the moment."
"We also take multiple shots of the same photo in slightly different poses since there is so much memory space. Every photo becomes valuable not for the background, but the minute actions of the photo subjects."
Over the years, we can clearly see the change in photography. From formal, planned and painting-like portraits, to more relaxed but purposeful photos, and finally impromptu, casual shots—all over the place, but nevertheless funny and genuine.
Even though we grew up with the same face, the photos that we took turned out to be vastly different. My childhood was pictured more than my mothers’ because of the availability of technology. But growing up, her family shots definitely had more planning and meaning than mine.
Our families stay the same, but what we choose to show is different. Would I rather replace timeless, meaningful shots for spontaneous, candid pictures?
Only time will tell.