Abstract

‘Opening the Shutter’ explores how the rapid development of technology has greatly affected the way that photographers capture an image. The overflow of digital cameras in the market  has brought changes in social media and how we share moments. The saturation of the internet by digital imagery indicates that there is now more focus on post-production and manipulation of an image rather than on the crafting of the photograph as it’s being shot. The study incorporates primary research techniques such as interviews, product experimentation, user research, and prototyping, and secondary sources through a review of academic papers and studies, online media, and other published literature. The project outcome and developed product concept intend to demonstrate that low-technology methods in the use of photographic devices and instrumentation have the potential to reaffirm photography as a relevant and engaging craft practice, and as a result, enhance the meanings we attribute to the photographs we create.

Design Intent

Our world is sorely lacking in things we can properly feel and so much of our stimulus relies on intellectual processing rather than the immediate joy of the sensation itself. There is less engagement with products that require physical interaction, and this is a problem. Craft practices are becoming a niche hobby to the general public as there is more desire for efficiency and rapid content creation. This is evident in the context of photography, which has become extremely accessible, thanks to the development of camera phones and digital cameras that are on the market. Although its accessibility has its benefits for photographers and others, the meaning of a photograph has become devalued. 

Further, the practice of taking a photograph is no longer the result of careful consideration of variables that ultimately affect the outcome. We live in an age where craft practices are being rapidly replaced by automation. Automation in photography has rapidly taken over and there is less of a need to learn the fundamentals of photography. However, through industrial design practice, we can reshape our relationship with the people who use the products we design by reintroducing the foundational technologies into our products. 

The overarching objective of this research project is to reshape the relationship we have with the tools we use in craft practices. This relationship is significantly altered when there is an introduction of technology, as there is a lack of human authenticity and identity in the craft tool. 

This dilemma led to the creation of ‘Lento’, a pinhole camera with an adjustable focal length. Lento means ‘slow’ in Spanish, as pinhole photography is often referred to as slow photography. Lento includes a set of 4 focal length parts: 15, 35, 50 and 70mm. Providing the user with the ability to swap between focal lengths encourages more experimentation. With the adopted fundamental technology and design details, Lento reminds us to not disregard what has been done before, but rather investigate it, practise it and utilise it. 

Bio

Emily Marcos is a Product Design Honours graduate at the University of Technology Sydney. She has completed her Bachelor of Design in Product Design and is passionate about user-centred design. At the beginning of this project, she knew very little about photography and how to operate a camera. However, her passion for user-friendly invention has driven her to learn all there is to know about photography. When she is not in the workshop or at the drawing board, she is reading a good book, acquiring a new creative skill, or hanging out with her best friends.

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