How Has Technology Changed Photography for Different Generations?

Gigi’s Story: Capturing Life’s Moments

As a college student passionate about digital media, I’m constantly amazed at how technology shapes our lives, especially photography. To dive deeper into this evolution, I interviewed two incredible women who play an important role in my life my daughters’ grandmothers.

Born only five years apart, I wanted to see how this small generation gap might have influenced their experiences with photography and its progression. What I discovered was fascinating and inspiring, as they shared how photography has changed from a luxury to an everyday tool that captures the moments that truly matter.

Angela Patterson (Gigi)

Angela Patterson, my boyfriend’s mother, was born in 1968, and her earliest memories of photography date back to pre-K, when she had her first professional photo taken on school picture day. She still remembers how massive the camera looked and how the bright flash lit up the room. In a way, the story behind the photo is unforgettable she had just given herself a fresh and uneven haircut, adding a personal touch to that moment in time.

For Angela, photography in her household was reserved for special occasions. Cameras made appearances during holidays, birthdays, and vacations. Kodak, Polaroid, and disposable cameras were staples of her childhood, and she remembers receiving her first disposable camera at around 8 years old. From that moment, she started taking pictures, mostly of family and pets.

Hearing her talk about the transition from film to digital photography was eye-opening. For Angela, the biggest improvement is the ability to see photos instantly, without waiting for them to be developed. "It’s so much faster, more convenient, and way cheaper now," she said. She values photography for its power to preserve memories, especially those of family and friends who are no longer with us. “These pictures last forever,” she told me, “and that’s something we can all be grateful for.”

My Mom’s Story: The Wonder of Photography Through the Decades

Next, I spoke with my mom, Trina Dee, born in 1963. Her first memories of photography came when she was around six or seven, also tied to school picture day. She recalls how challenging it was to take photos back then you never knew if a picture turned out well until the film was developed, and sometimes you didn’t get around to processing it until it was too late. In her words, "It was all guesswork!"

Trina Dee (Nana)

Unlike Angela, Trina didn’t start taking photos until she went on a high school trip to Europe at age 16. That adventure sparked her love for photography, and she began capturing moments of her own family, friends, pets, and travel.

Listening to her describe the transition from physical photo albums to today’s digital cloud storage made me realize how far we’ve come. She remembers her mom painstakingly developing film and assembling albums that took up so much space, were expensive, and fragile. Today, she marvels at how easy it is to store thousands of photos securely in the cloud something unimaginable when she was growing up.

What struck me most during these conversations was how both women, despite their age difference, found a deep connection to photography. Both spoke about how photography has improved their lives not just because it’s easier to take and store pictures now, but because of the memories these photos represent. For Angela, the convenience of today’s technology is invaluable. For Trina, the ability to safeguard those memories in digital form is nothing short of revolutionary.

As someone studying digital media, these “point-of-views” introduced a new appreciation for photography’s role in connecting generations. It’s not just about the technical evolution from film to digital; it’s about capturing moments we can revisit and cherish, no matter how much time has passed. Photography allows us to hold on to the people and experiences in our lives.

These stories remind me that while technology constantly evolves, the heart of photography remains the same: preserving the fleeting moments that shape our lives. That, I think, is what makes photography so powerful not only for us but for future generations who will look back on these images and feel connected to the past.