Photo How To

Now that we’re nearing the end of 2021, it’s natural to reflect on all the exciting innovations we’ve seen over the past year. But the interesting video below is all about tomorrow and beyond, rather than today or the past.

NY-based pro David Bergman frequently responds to questions from his fans, and sometimes his answers result in helpful tutorials on photographic techniques. Other times, as in the quick video below, Bergman reflects on the state of photography—both as a professional shooter and a consumer of gear.

In responding to a question about the future of photography, Bergman takes a forward-looking view on potential emerging technologies, discusses the impact of smart phones with better and better cameras, and wonders out loud whether photography will remain a financially viable business.

This episode from AdoramaTV begins with Bergman’s predictionsw and sort of a wish list regarding possible camera technologies in the not-to-distant future. He says, “the megapixel race is almost over, and the quality of the megapixels is more important to me” as camera’s continue to evolve.

Bergman also anticipates future developments in high ISO capability, buffer speed, build quality, and waterproofing in the cameras of tomorrow. While these advances are likely to be incremental, Bergman expects more dramatic improvements in computational photography.

He predicts that all the recent artificial intelligence capabilities of today’s advanced smartphones will slowly drip into the world of “real” cameras with better and faster processing power and mind-blowing features. Of course technical innovation is only part of the equation, and Bergman provides his view on what it will mean to remain creative in the days, months, and years ahead.

As for the financial viability of a career in photography, let’ just say Bergman is more optimistic than a friend who once told me, “All you have to do to make a million bucks in photography is start with two million.”

There are plenty of interesting videos on the AdoramaTV YouTube channel, so be sure and take a look. And you can find more questions and answers on the Ask David Bergman website.