Discussion in Advisory Board Meetings: Broadening the Scope of Photography
Adapting to the Digital Landscape: Thriving as a Photographer in the Post-COVID Era
In the ever-evolving world of photography and digital creativity, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes, particularly in people-oriented photography. However, the industry has shown resilience, with many creatives expanding their skillset to meet the demands of the post-COVID era.
Employers now recommend having a clean portfolio on platforms like Behance and LinkedIn, and for motion and video work, maintaining a YouTube channel is an option. The most in-demand skills for digital creatives include AI-enhanced editing, computational photography, mobile-first content creation, and inclusive, authentic storytelling through visuals.
AI-powered editing tools like Luminar Neo and Adobe Sensei are becoming increasingly popular, automating enhancements, detail refining, and even generating images from text prompts. Canva's Magic Studio stands out for its AI-based features such as object removal and replacement, supporting quick graphic design and marketing content creation.
Computational photography techniques, encompassing multi-frame processing, depth mapping, and hybrid optical-computational methods, are critical in transforming image creation. Mobile photography dominates content trends, with vertical video and immersive compositions for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels becoming essential skills. Creatives should also master hybrid photography that combines stills and motion.
In terms of photography styles, retro and vintage aesthetics with grainy, film-inspired looks; emotionally authentic portraiture emphasizing natural light and imperfections; and inclusive photography that represents diverse identities across race, age, gender, and ability are in high demand. High-ISO, low-light photography has also grown in importance due to advances in camera sensor technology.
The role of a content creator and social media manager has emerged, requiring training in photography, video production/motion graphics, design, and proficiency in programs like Dimension and Adobe XD, Express, After Effects, and Premiere Pro or Rush. A new trend has emerged where more remote work has led to an increase in home studio work, stop motion, cinemagraphs, short video, and time-lapse.
Web and social media content creation is highly valued. Despite this, product photography, architectural, and interior residential photography have continued to thrive. Employers value communication, planning, and the ability to multitask quickly while generating quality work.
For photographers, camera skills with both stills and video or motion capture, lighting strobes and LED video lighting positions and modifiers are essential. A custom portfolio website can be created using Adobe Express. Trustworthiness and a positive attitude are essential, as is maintaining a social media presence, such as Instagram, for marketing purposes.
For multimedia applications, a designer must understand various software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, Premiere Pro, Premier Rush, Adobe Aero, Adobe Dimension, Adobe Express, Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Behance, Hootsuite, or comparable posting software schedulers. A strong work ethic, including being early and the last to leave, is important.
Motion designers require an understanding of motion techniques such as stop motion, cinemagraphs, time-lapse, and After Effects and Adobe Animate. Companies are seeking experts who know their craft, with traditional graphic designers needing to know Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. A print portfolio is recommended for face-to-face meetings.
Lastly, students should complete internships while in school to gain practical experience and build their portfolio. This hands-on experience will undoubtedly set them apart in the competitive post-COVID digital creative landscape.
- To excel in the post-COVID era, graphic designers may need to incorporate AI-powered editing tools like Luminar Neo and Adobe Sensei into their art portfolio, showcasing their skills in mobile-first content creation, vertical videos, and immersive compositions.
- For lifelong learners in education-and-self-development, understanding computational photography techniques, the latest technology in graphic design software, and various motion techniques, such as stop motion and cinemagraphs, can help expand one's skillset to meet the demands of the evolving digital creative landscape.
