The return of the compact 00’s digital camera and the rise of Y2K nostalgia art
Trends might come and go but the interest and creative endeavors they spark are long lasting. When our phone took the prefix “smart” and their camera’s characteristics seem to mimic those of professional cameras, many photographers, creatives, and artists responded to a nostalgic need for a more traditional and tangible medium and analog cameras made a comeback.
And now that Y2K nostalgia seems to have taken over mainstream media, it seems logical that the next item going to take the spotlight are the compact digital cameras that had their peak in the 00’s. And this is not only a trend powered by the creations of Gen Z and Millennial artists, many others are rediscovering the power of these ready-to-shoot cameras that were a staple two decades ago and the precise results they convey image wise.
Keep reading to find out more about compact digital cameras, how to use them, experiment with them and showcase your results.
What is a compact digital camera
Compact digital cameras are also known as ready-to-shoot cameras. They had their peak in the mid 00’s. They are easy to recognize due to characteristics like their small size, compact design, they are lightweight and easy to carry with you at all times. One of the best examples of these types of cameras or the one most people remember from their reign during the 00’s is the Sony Cybershot camera.
But there are other characteristics that made these cameras so popular in the first place. They were designed to make taking a good quality picture an easy task. These cameras worked with a fixed lens and automated settings options the user could choose from according to the scenery, the equipment focused and made all necessary adjustments needed to take a shot by itself.
Even the more advanced compact digital cameras that came with semi-automatic or manual settings had an easy-to-use approach to it. Plus, these cameras came with an integrated screen where you could previsualize the image, expandable memory space to take several pictures that you could pick from and even a very basic record video option, ideal for mixed media productions.
How to pick a compact digital camera
If you are looking to acquire your first compact digital camera or find one similar to the one you used to experiment with a few years ago, make sure to go over this list to pick the right one for you.
Available scene modes: as mentioned before, compact digital cameras come with pre-settings that allow the user to simple point-and-shoot in different sceneries or conditions without having to adapt values like ISO or aperture.
Pixels count: the reason why everyone in the 00’s was competing to have the digicam with the most Megapixeles had to do with the final image quality. A higher Megapixel count can translate into a better resolution and image that’s fit for printing. But it all depends on the intended use and the result you want to achieve. Choose anything from a 3.25 Megapixel and up.
Digital Single Lens Reflex: yes, most compact cameras have a single lens that does all the job from framing to focusing, to actually capturing the image. You just need to make sure the DSLR is fit to the quality of picture you want to achieve. This single lens is also responsible for the high vibrancy and blurred focus characteristic of digicam pictures.
Zoom: These cameras come with a single lens and zoom options are limited but any zoom capability ranging from 3X to 5X offers a better result and resolution that the one you could achieve with a smartphone.
Face or eye detection: taking into account these characteristics we just reviewed, this simple feature can increase the chance of obtaining better focus over subjects.
RAW capture: one of the most sought after characteristics of digital cameras is their RAW capture. The digital images they take are stored in the memory card in a minimally processed and uncompressed file. Is like having a digital “negative” of the image, that you can further edit to obtain your desired results.
Memory space: most compact digital cameras come with a fixed memory space but you should look for one with a port of port for different types of memory cards that can help you expand your memory space.
Battery: here the options vary and you need to choose according to the use you intend to give to the camera. Some of this ready-to-shoot equipment comes with a separate rechargeable battery, space for single-use batteries or an USB port for in-camera charging.
A nostalgic aesthetic: how to recognize compact digital camera’s photography
Point-and-shoot cameras have a charm and it goes beyond their physical and utilitarian characteristics. Y2K nostalgia has made a huge impact in current trends and creations in the fashion world, cinema, series, and more. The art world couldn’t stay away from it.
With Gen Z taking their first steps as art creators, coming back to the visual aesthetics they grew up with and giving them new meaning was natural. Millennials are having a second brush, with a tool that was for many their first medium or what peaked their interest in photography.
But what differentiates photos taken with a compact digital camera from those taken with mirrorless or analog cameras?
It’s all about the final result. Compact camera photography has a characteristic more pixelated and less sharp look, which can be seen as more “organic” with modern image editing software, digicams might have scene settings, but are free from filters. Their dynamic range is narrower, the highlights are blown accentuating the shadows. The noise reduction in the pre-settings is simpler compared to those of modern cameras. All of these little details make them ideal to capture portraits, still life and street photography with this distinctive look.
And of course, for those looking for a really nostalgic feel: they have the well-known orange timestamp that can take us back to the 00’s in one look.
How to showcase your compact digital camera photos
Your compact digital camera work or digicam work can take many forms, as mentioned before. Maybe you have a full series around a subject or you have delved into collage and other types of edits. The important thing is, once your artworks are ready it is time to showcase them.
The possibilities are endless for this type of art. And in the digital work there are powerful tools that allow you to share your work in creative ways that also capture your aesthetic and your vision as an artist. With ArtPlacer’s Room Mockups you can choose from thousands of spaces, pick one that captures your style, “drag and drop” your photos, frame them, and even customize the wall colors and layer them behind objects to achieve a realistic look that portrays your style. In a matter of minutes you can have Instagram-worthy images of your work ready to download and share.
You could also create an immersive experience with a 3D online virtual gallery. These digital spaces are ideal to engage with people interested in your art and develop a storytelling around your work. You can showcase your photography, customize the gallery to achieve a certain look, and even add 3D-like objects to accentuate what you want to express through your curatorial take.
Now is time to grab your digicam, point-and-shoot to create your next piece!
Originally published at www.artplacer.com.
