There was a time when capturing an image is a laborious and complex process. The technology back then was just enough to capture an image in black and white; the cameras require a real professional to operate and the equipment are not as portable as they are today.
But in the 21st century the radical change in image capturing technology has reached a point where it is not only portable but it can miniaturized so that it can be fitted inside an already small-sized mobile phone. Thus, users can instantly take pictures under almost any condition.
The speed of processing the image and transmitting it to computers and mobile phones half-way around the world is creating a new phenomenon when it comes to image capture. As a result the main issues that would arise from this technological breakthrough would be privacy and ownership of the said images.
The best example is the recently made famous shot of a couple kissing in the midst of the Vancouver riot (Kwek, p.1). In the past the same image can only be captured if the photographer was able to set-up the equipment ahead of time.
In the case of more complicated shots the cameraman has to work closely with the subject but in the 21st century the same thing can be achieved instantly and without the knowledge and consent of the subject. In addition the same images can be easily downloaded from a camera or mobile phone and sent wirelessly all over the nation or even in a location thousands of miles away.
The main issue here is privacy because total strangers can discreetly take a picture of another person. They can take pictures in a time and place where the subject can be seen in a negative light and therefore can hurt his or her image or reputation. This can be a source of scandal and can potentially ruin the lives of people that are caught off-guard unable to determine that another person is aiming a camera and liberally taking pictures without permission.
The secondary issue is the ownership of the images taken. In the case of the Vancouver riot the image was taken and then it was transmitted via the World-Wide-Web. It became an instant hit and became famous just like the other iconic photos taken in the midst of a historical event. Now, the popularity of the image can easily mean that newspapers, magazines and TV networks would pay top dollar for the owner of the picture. But since it has gone viral over the Internet it has become difficult to prove ownership.
Conclusion
The rapid development in image capturing technology has enabled engineers to fit cameras in portable devices such as mobile phones. This makes it easier for any person to take pictures under almost any type of condition. Thus, it is also easy to capture images of a person without asking permission.
This action can easily violate the privacy of people. Something has to be done to regulate the power to instantly capture images. Furthermore, there can be a major conflict that would arise with regards to the ownership of photo images. There must also be rules established with regards to determining the real owner of a photo.
Work Cited
Kwek, Glenda. Love Among the Ruins: Mystery Kiss Picture during Vancouver Riot goes Viral. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2011. Web.