I'm not sure I completely agree with that portion of your post that I singled out.there might be a bright side or two. there is a much expanded interest in viewing and making images; bound to promote some creativity
those who want the quick and easy product now have a way to get it , but that only differentiates the quick product even more from the more studied work and separates the less serious photographers from the more serious
in today's market, i'm sure the camera makers go where the money is and that is the volume product, but that is the most competitive market as well. hopefully still leaves room for the development of the kind of gear we are interested in as a specialty market.
How many times have we said to ourselves, "I can't really judge the quality of that image on the web". Yet, that is where 99% of images are now viewed … and probably an overwhelming majority of that on another smart phone, tablet, or iPad, rather than a 27" color calibrated monitor.
Creatively, people can get better at selecting the right light, get better at composition, and get more insightful with their content, but they do not need a 36 meg camera to do any of that.
The incredibly inspirational Apple ad campaign that ends with … "What Will Your Verse Be?" is what is happening out there … verses agonizing over corner sharpness at 200%. I take each of the instances in that ad as people who are "Serious" about it all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiyIcz7wUH0
This human challenge, this direct connection to the artistic potential in everyone, is what the dozing complacent camera companies missed. It screamed undetected over their heads like a F-117 Nighthawk and eviscerated their cash base.
Now they will slug it out for the crumbs left behind.
Were I not already addicted to self-gratification, refuse to let go of craftsmanship that most viewers can't see or don't give a tinker's damn about, and brainwashed about IQ … were I just starting out just for the creative joy of it all … the smart devices would appeal on so many levels that it'd be difficult to resist.
- Marc