The landscape of the internet has been drastically altered with the digital camera. Creators can easily purchase a digital camera and upload their unique content for the world to see. The innate simplicity of this process has cause a new genre of artists to develop, making use of film and photography to fill social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Many have built multi-million dollar empires with videos ranging from topics such as video games to makeup tutorials.
Citizen Journalism
With a digital camera in hand, a snap-shot can turn into a world-wide news story or online trend. Aided by social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, any person has the ability to upload media straight from the source of the action, providing a first-hand account of world events. This media can elicit any emotion, with content ranging from lighthearted and funny, to heart-wrenching and controversial. Now more than ever, the average man has the ability to upload material that can have a significant impact on society.
Privacy Within Our Homes
With the rise of digital film and photography, so has risen era of increasing concern for security where surveillance has become commonplace. On every street corner and in every building, there are security cameras recording our every movement. Although this surveillance is meant to ensure our safety, many worry it infringes on our privacy. The government, and even our fellow citizens, are equipped with the tools needed to spy on others, presenting a war on privacy never before seen. In this day and age, it is nearly impossible to do anything without being documented through the lens of a digital camera.