Jose K Joseph
post news network
Bhubaneswar, August 18: Of the numerous features that mobile phones offer, the most sought-after one, by many accounts, is the camera. This feature has not only spawned a craze for selfies but is also giving those with a flair for photography a handy tool to hone their skills.
Amit Kumar Shetty, a college student, said: “Selfies are part of campus life today and everybody loves to share pictures on platforms such as Whatsapp and Instagram. But photos of poor quality do not fetch likes and could even draw criticism on social media platforms. This has made the camera the most important component of a smartphone.”
Even while some of the features that smartphones offer remain conundrums for elderly users, most are definitely familiar with and even adept at using the cameras their phones sport.
“Phones today are mediums of entertainment. I am not familiar with all their features but I bought a smartphone to upload pictures of my daughters and grandchildren on WhatsApp. Although I am not a fan of sharing pictures, my grandchildren insist on posting selfies on Whatsapp,” KS Panda, a retired professor, said.
Leading mobile phone retailers, too, said customers were approaching them with a multitude of queries about the cameras on mobile phones.
“Some leading smartphone manufactures have released phones that guarantee the perfect selfie. Such phones are in great demand. Customers are particular that their phones should have excellent front and back cameras,” Shibasis Rout, a phone salesman, said.
Camera shop owners feel mobile phones have covered a gap that expensive devices such as DSLRs are unable to fill.
“Expensive DSLR cameras cannot be carried everywhere at all times. That is why there is a demand for portable cameras which can ensure that one does not miss precious moments. Good camera phones can also guarantee this,” Miland Gupta, the owner of an electronics shop, said.
While camera phones have made photography and sharing photos child’s play for many, they signify signs of worry for professionals such as Satya Narayan Rautray.
“Professional photographers today are seeing a dip in business. Editing software available on mobile phones are able to give even photos by amateurs a professional touch. Cameras on smartphones have definitely affected us,” he said.
While photographers are worried about business, girls are worried about rampant misuse of camera phones.
“I fear misuse of photos. Some people take photos of girls without permission and share them on social media platforms. That makes the increase in the number of camera phones a matter of concern. But we, too, love to share photographs on secure social media platforms,” Soubhagya Mohanty, a plus III student, said.