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Last night Lateline www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2242621.htm ran an interview with Richard Heinberg on the effects of increasing oil prices, and the prospect that world is now in the period of peak oil. Given that oil extends to every facet of our lives slight declines in supply will have significant impact across a range of activities. It got me thinking along a new line - what will happen to photography?
Would the world of "Mad Max" be documented digitally, or would photography revert to some analog means of recording. The value of existing, printed images of the old world may acquire some currency and represent valued memories and sentiments. My Canon, an electronic wonder would likely become an inert piece of polycarbonate. The few remaining fully manual cameras would be lovingly maintained and perhaps only be used furtively.
I guess that even my OM4 would have problems, so perhaps it's time to seek out an OM1! Oh yeah, and stock up on all that film. Mind you I don't expect I'll be able to exhibit here.
Scoo pro says:
Better discard that photo vest (should one have one) in favour of a leather jacket...
Steve says:
Scoo pro says:
s2art says:
Steve says:
Brisbanites are installing water tanks with assistance from council and state govt.
Floating Imitations says:
In all honesty, I think water and food shortages will affect far more lives than the lifestyles curbed by oil scarcity. That may already be true, as described on Jerry Lee's Rice - Oryza Sativa album.
As for photography in a future with no oil, I suspect digital would be the norm. If there is really no way to power factories, supplies of film would eventually run out. People might be able to able use chemicals to expose plates(?), but the chemicals and means to produce them would eventually run out as well. Digital cameras only require electricity to capture an image, and electricity can be generated independently by the average person. Villages in places with no telephone have already connected experimentally to the Internet by long-distance wireless using human-generated pedal power. Of course this depends on the digital cameras (or film cameras) lasting, but I see more of a "Blade Runner" or "Matrix" future.
I think I would stock up on film anyway! :-)