The Globalisation of social media has, with it, created and
opened up a whole new level of use for digital imagery. No longer do we have to
sit through the passing of crusted colour photographs around the dinner table at EVERY family gathering. Yes, gone are the days where my Aunties
and Uncles would drab on and on about their summer sojourns, or fishing fiestas
to us cousins, as we struggled to fend of the temptation of the friendly, roaring
television in the background.
The ingenious modernism of social media has opened my eyes
to marvellous world of digital imagery from all over the globe, helping deepen
my understanding of other cultures through MY OWN exploration.
A more modern art movement which has caught my attention (as
well as the whole of Gen Y it seems) is the GoPro: a rugged, professional, wearable, mountable, and immersive line of
digital cameras, allowing the user to literally ‘Go Pro’ in the way of action
photography.
The GoPro system allows
sports enthusiasts in particular to get up close to the action, with the
ability to strap the camera to many different surfaces. The GoPro has been
marketed to action sports in particular with the ability place the camera on
the front of a surfboard, or the handlebars of a BMX bike etc. allowing every drop
of water, and every speck of dust to be captured on screen.
The increasing popularity of the GoPro has also perhaps
amplified the definition of selfies, relating you average ‘selfie queen’ to the
likes of rugged, professional, wearable,mountable, and immersive athletes, showcasing their abilities to the online
world (via YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo etc.).
On a more serious note, GoPro technology has assisted elite
and up-and-coming surfers by allowing the High Definition playback of waves
ridden and manoeuvres attempted. Alas, there has become less need for squinting
photographers dangling their toes in the white wash. Surfing can now be filmed
and reviewed up close and in much greater detail, allowing for the ease of
improvement in surfing technique and abilities.
In relation to my week one post, in my view, it is this
shift in technology, and popularising art movement that has helped transformed
local surf culture into its current state of global professionalism.
With the GoPro, it seems, even your average Joe can ‘be a hero’.
References
GoPro Be a Hero2013, [Homepage of
Woodman Labs. Inc], [Online]. Available: http://gopro.com/hd-hero3-cameras
[2013, August/04].
Garnham & N Emancipation,
the Media, and Modernity : Arguments about the Media and Social Theory:
Arguments about the Media and Social Theory, Oxford University Press, 2000.
Hey Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteI found this post really interesting. I hadn’t thought about GoPro as a form of art before (most probably because it is fairly new to me) but I completely agree!
As well as providing an art form for sporting enthusiasts, I think that it will show people who don’t necessarily participate in these sports what the experience is like – it’s a massive advancement in technology/art in this way as everybody gets to see the beauty in what these athletes are doing and also shares the beauty they get to see!
As well as an art form I think that GoPro will be useful in terms of safety as well as learning for individuals and the sport in general. Getting a closer look at different situations may educate us on things that we previously were blind to, like you said!
The linkage to selfies is something I hadn’t thought about either, but I think it will be exciting seeing GoPro photography become more and more present in the art world!
Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteI do agree the GoPro has completely taken over the Gen Y's attention in this day and age. It has been used globally for over hundreds of activities whatever they may be. You chose your words carefully and show wonderful connection to the topic required. Very nice examples and I like the way you use your references. Well done indeed!
Rio