Technology has opened a new world for photographers. We have smarter cameras, lighter cameras, creative lenses, ingenious tripods and remote controls, amazing image editing software, and the possibility to share our work with just one click. Deciding between a DSLR, a mirrorless, and a smartphone camera became a debate subject. Deciding what lenses, filters, lights, batteries, and accessories became almost a nightmare. It seems that we cannot ask for more new technologies. Still, 2019 has more than an ace up its sleeve.
Luminar 3
In 2019 Skylum will launch Luminar 3, a smart image editing software. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI) , Luminar 3 is created by photographers and AI experts and aims to ease your editing work. Luminar 3 is also a photos restoration software, allowing you to bring to life old analog pictures.
It organizes and rates your images. It gives you simple and efficient browsing methods. It offers you easy ways to deal with the most common and frustrating adjustments. In 2019 you should look for AI Sky Enhancer, Accent AI, and Sun Rays. Available for Windows and Mac, Luminar 3 works as stand-alone software or in form of Photoshop plugins. But many photographers already use it as a Lightroom alternative.
Using Luminar 3 will save you time and energy. It combines basic adjustments in a single function, is adaptive, and understands the subtlety required by a photographer’s work. Its effects are realistic. They enhance image quality and let you decide how much is too much. Artificial intelligence may be impressive, not because it’s better than other technology, but because it offers you exactly what you need.
The Rise of Smartphone Photography
Smartphone photography is sometimes blamed and sometimes praised. But having a weightless camera at hand is amazing. Having the possibility to put the camera literally in any position is a great advantage. Also, many have manual settings and a lot of good effects. Add the fact that smartphone cameras are getting better and better. For example, some say that Samsung will release in 2019 a smartphone with no less than six cameras. Samsung Galaxy S10 is said to have a 6.7-inch screen and 5G technology. It supposed to have two front cameras and four rear ones. Well, 5G won’t be available everywhere in 2019, but the trend is here. 3D photography with a phone is just a step away.
Organic Camera Sensor
Organic camera sensor is not a new idea, but it will be 2019 the year when we will have it in our hands. Panasonic has announced the first 8k camera with an organic sensor. AK-SHB810 will be launched in the autumn of 2019. The organic sensor is designed to give a better dynamic range and a low-light sensitivity. The reason for this is the use of an organic photoelectric conversion layer instead of the common silicon photodiode. Producers expect the new sensor to have faithful color reproduction and high reliability.
AK-SHB810 won’t be for every photographer. The technology is new and expensive. The camera is bigger than you are used and it is designed for broadcast and production-level video work.
Panasonic Lumix S
Announced at Photokina 2018, Panasonic Lumix S will be launched in spring 2019. It will be the first full-frame mirrorless camera. It has image stabilization both in the camera body and the lenses. It is also advertised to have the highest shutter speeds and highest flash-synchronization speeds. Producers also announce it will have the highest resolution and highest precision for the viewfinder, very closed to human vision. So even if we have a lot of cameras to choose from, producers still work to deliver a better one. This doesn’t mean you have to change the camera every year, but it’s good to know what technology has to offer.
Lately, there are voices saying that photography is no longer an art, but a show-off of technology. With a good camera in almost any phone and a vast social media network, anyone can be an admired photographer. Indeed, times are changing and technology helps us to take sharp and colorful images in any condition. Still, even if the methods are changing, the requirements for a great photographer remain the same: passion, dedication, and storytelling talent.