Millennials. It seems to be a word with which our world has recently become obsessed. Before you roll your eyes and close your laptop, I would like to offer an alternative perspective on the millennial culture -- that of photography.
I tend to disagree with the constant generalizations from older generations that conveniently identify all that we are before we have the chance to do so ourselves. We are expected to be disrespectful individuals, carrying a mad-at-the-world attitude and a short attention span, with our phones glued to our fingertips.
While some may argue that we are ruining the world, I would argue that behavior depends heavily on how a person was raised. When I was young, my screen time was limited and my parents encouraged me to find entertainment and happiness through playtime and adventure outside. Now I am an environmental studies major who cannot stand the thought of having a career inside an office. And cubicles -- no way.
On the other hand, there are parents who depend on toys and technology to discipline their children. As a coach, a babysitter and an observant civilian, I'm disgusted when I see a little kid stop throwing a fit at the sight of an iPod or his mom's phone because that is a reward for their actions; I'm not trying to write a parenting book, here. My point is that like all things, everything is beneficial in moderation, especially technology.
From my vantage point, there is a discrepancy in our culture in the use of the modern-day camera. As someone who went through four intensive years of photography, starting with film, I have noticed a lack of understanding towards the device and all of its wonders, along with a general lack of appreciation towards the true art, itself. I know people who go places just to take cute pictures with their friends, only to be stumped later by what the caption will be. And I don't mean to be a snobby artist who thinks her art is only worthy of the Gods, but I just wish there was more of a necessity in how many pictures we take, especially knowing how expensive film and printing paper are. My main goal is quality over quantity, people.
As someone who has spent time taking pictures, developing them by hand and creating other kinds of photographic art, I just wonder why the convenience and advancement of the camera has brought us to a point of frequent self-obsession and the belief that others care about how our sunglasses look sitting next to our cappuccinos at brunch.
