Digital Photography Redefines Some Family Photo Albums
In the Circuits section of The New York Times, Katie Hafner describes how digital cameras has changed the way many Americans take photos and show them to friends and family. The article estimates that 9 million digital cameras will be sold this year (versus 15 million non-disposable film cameras). The widespread use of digital cameras has changed the way photos are handled: "Those crossing over to digital are beginning to use cameras in ways they would not have considered with film. One of the biggest changes is the end result: just 12 percent of digital photos are ever printed...."
However, many people are steadfastly holding to the traditional way of using and managing photographs:
Lisa Brinton, a project manager for the city of Watsonville, Calif., bought a digital camera while preparing for the birth of her first child, Sierra, nearly six months ago.... Yet the desire for the tactile experience has driven Ms. Brinton to order three hardcover albums — one for her and one each for her mother and sister.... This is a common rift that digital photography engenders: the desire for photographs printed on glossy paper versus those stuck on a hard drive, available for viewing only in front of a screen.