Generally speaking, I’m not particularly savvy on how technology does its wonders. Like many, I too like to get my hands on the newest gizmos, toy with them, even master them –I’m just not going to try to comprehend the science behind how the designers built their complex device. As much as I love the camera, it’s a complex device. So, fortunately for you, this is not a tutorial.
The camera is one of the great technologies of the last two centuries. It’s influence on people globally is unmistakable & its ability to affect how we feel, think, see & rationalize is undeniable.
These impacts have been felt by all. No exceptions. Even people in the most remote, under-served & disregarded parts of the world have been been in the presence of one at some point. Hell, over 66% of the world’s population has one in their back pocket daily! In that ubiquitous presence the camera has influence. In that influence it displays its intrinsic power over us all.
I do not own this image, no copyright infringement is intended
An article in The New York Times by Harvard assistant professor Sarah Lewis started me down a rabbit hole I wasn’t even remotely aware of. As a creative who often works with cameras, I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that, but it’s true. Her article on how the emergence of color photography came to be, who it targeted & what it took to begin to shift this brought back memories & realizations of my own experiences. I distinctly remember old photos of my me & my family on grainy stock with reasonable color balance & lightness everywhere in the image… with the exception of our faces. I recalled portraits of my parents from the 70s, my mother (of fair complexion) quite visible, my father (of darker skin) less so. I even revisited my high school class photos, grad photos, childhood photos & realized why if the lighting wasn’t just right, if I wasn’t positioned ideally, it was not always the best representation of or easiest to discern the subject at hand was me!
I do not own this image, no copyright infringement is intended
Fortunately, manufacturers have moved away from the inherent bias of their products in recent decades. The technologies continue to improve. & ways to get the most out of cameras for everyone has become more of a priority, if only for continuity’s sake. I found it striking, however, to discover that even through the lens of the camera –not just by way of narrative or subtext or character creation –but through its very design, we’ve been segregated throughout the ages.