Was Photography always so big in Ireland

MooseJam

Is this a new thing, a fad that will pass or has photography always been so big in Ireland, I never knew it was so big but this forum is one of the busiest and Easons and such are jammers full of photography mags, I'd never have guessed it was so popular what with how expensive it is, maybe it's a result of the celtic tiger, lots more money to be spent on hobbies ?

Thirdfox

I suppose - we are second to only Luxembourg in terms of GDP per capita...

I find it a relaxing hobby. Always have a sense of pride seeing yourself published or getting paid for a hobby

Zillah

MooseJam wrote:

maybe it's a result of the celtic tiger, lots more money to be spent on hobbies ?

Almost certainly.

JMcL

I think there was a spike in popularity in SLRs in the early 80s on the back of them becoming more user friendly with autofocus, metering etc. At the time, punt for euro they were probably as expensive, if not more so, than current DSLRs. I think large amounts of disposable income does no harm in the popularity stakes though!

jaqian

I think there has always been a great interest in photography in Ireland. I think thought that with the internet, camera phones and digital cameras in general its been given a huge boost.

Before the net you couldn't really share your photos and get feedback unless you were in a camera club (but how many are members of those) but the net gives everyone a chance to get feedback and to improve your skills.

kensutz

I always had an interest in photography ever since I got my hands on my dads SLR when I was younger and now I got my DSLR it has taken over most of my interests.

trishw78

I got my first compact when I was 9 or 10 so my interest has grown since then

ThOnda

This big?

Thirdfox

*speechless*

10-10-20

Yo Mama's so big that she's pregnant with her husband...

helios

ThOnda wrote: »

This big?

Hawt...

gandalf

Well thats a threadkiller if I have ever seen one!

ThOnda

Sorry

gandalf

ThOnda the Thread Terminator

(unless its processed by Fuji Minilabs!!)

City-Exile

There's a massive interest in Photography now & I think a lot of it has to do with two factors. Digital cameras make it easy to handle images & image hosting websites have given people more outlets for their work.

For the most part, the camera phone has given people a taste of what is achieveable & for many, they quickly look to step up a few levels, in terms of hardware.

Roen

Photography is about memories for most of us, and as long as we continue to love and cherish others around us then I don't think it will ever go out of fashion.
























Ugh, I feel dirty saying that.

Calina

People take photographs for different reasons. I think before you ask if photographery was always so big in Ireland, you need to ask what you mean by that. Most houses always had a camera of some description, be it a compact, or a 110 Kodak to take pictures of family events and weddings, and people were reprinting photographs for others or sharing negatives, or getting duplicate prints done for the gang in America to see the new grandchild. But it was always localised.

Now it isn't, any more. Now, you put your photographs on the web for people to see. Via the social networking sites, more people know about the photographs you are taking. More social dispersion means more people to stay in contact with, and more people interested in the occasional photographs. And if you had a camera, of any description, you still took the occasional pretty sunset.

I don't think that the interest has exploded per se, but the number of interactions between people has. Think about it. I've been taking photographs since I was 11 years old. If the internet didn't exist, I would still be taking photographs, I just wouldn't know most of you. And I'll bet the same is true for you. The critical mass in terms of photographers was always there. Now, more of them are talking to each other through modern socialnetworking liens.

oshead

I think Irish people are gadget freaks. I know I am and so are most of my mates. People like to get new, cool and technologically advanced equipment like computers and mobile phones. Gadgets have a generation life span, generally speaking it's about 18 months to 2 years.

Canon realised this 'gadget phenenmon' in the early part of this decade and now churn out new versions of cameras every 1 to 3 years. Just look at the new 40D. How long ago did they release the D30 - May 2000 is your answer. Since then we've had D60 - Feb 2002, 10D - Feb 2003, 20D - Aug 2004, 30D - Feb 2006. Including the 40D thats 6 generations in 7 years. They all sold out immediately and were all a huge success. They are playing the same generation game with the Digital rebel line (EOS 300D to 400D). Rumor has it the 5D successor will be released early next year.

So in answer to your question. We ARE a nation of Computer lovin, Mobile Phone lovin, Camera lovin, Playstation loving freaks. With I might add, more money than sense!

Just my tuppence worth.

Dave OS

City-Exile

oshead wrote: »

I think Irish people are gadget freaks.

I don't think that has anything to do with the popularity of photography.
For me, Calina has got it right.
I was trying to say what she said, but got lazy & gave up.


We love to capture memories & we love to reminisce.
I don't think that we could even begin to claim that this is exclusive to Irish people.

oshead

What i didn't mention in my last reply is that this is not the only reason... my bad.

Dave OS