Is it just me, or has there been a seismic shift in how people consume landscape photography—and even how they approach it?
For years, the fundamentals of photography have remained unchanged. There’s only so much that can be said about settings and camera gear. The real value lies in how to compose an image, and that applies across all photography genres.
Yet, as a landscape photographer, I’ve noticed a shift. There seems to be less interest in field-based YouTube videos and more focus on shiny new gear. I see it everywhere—thumbnail after thumbnail showcasing the latest cameras, lenses, and accessories. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Understanding your gear is essential. But I can’t help but feel that something is being lost along the way.
Think about it. We all start photography with a desire to capture moments, to tell a story through images. But more and more, photography seems to be reduced to specs, settings, and the latest firmware updates. Yes, these things matter, but they aren’t the soul of photography. The real magic comes from seeing, from understanding light, from waiting for the right moment—and that’s where composition and creativity take center stage.
Why the Shift?
The process of taking a photograph hasn’t changed. The goal remains the same: control light. Whether it was Ansel Adams meticulously metering exposure, Galen Rowell, high up a mountain, or a modern photographer dialing in settings, the fundamentals are unchanged. The difference? Today’s technology does much of the heavy lifting for us.
We no longer carry external light meters or wait weeks for film to develop. Instead, we get instant feedback on the back of our cameras or in an electronic viewfinder. Exposure bracketing, autofocus tracking, and real-time histograms mean we have more tools at our disposal than ever before. But has this made us better photographers, or has it just made things more convenient?
Maybe that’s part of the shift—photography consumption has sped up just as the process itself has become more immediate.
The Social Media Effect
We live in a world that moves fast. Our brains are bombarded with images, sounds, videos, and choices at an increasing pace. We scroll endlessly, barely pausing to appreciate the work in front of us. So why is photography, an art that should encourage patience and immersion, falling into this trap?
Instead of being an opportunity to slow down and absorb a moment, photography is becoming another part of the fast-consumption cycle. We see it in the way content is presented—quick edits, rapid transitions, and bite-sized tutorials that prioritize efficiency over depth.
It’s easy to blame social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X thrive on short attention spans, designed to hook us in and keep us scrolling. TikTok has perfected the algorithm, feeding users content they can’t resist, keeping them in an endless loop. But this doesn’t encourage focus or creativity. Instead, it overwhelms.
And yet, photography should be the antidote to this, not another casualty of it.
Are We Shooting for Ourselves?
Heading out with a camera should be a chance to disconnect, immerse ourselves in nature, and create for the sake of creating. But more and more, photographers seem to be shooting with one goal in mind: feeding the social media machine.
- Are we capturing images we truly love, or just producing content that fits the algorithm?
- Are we choosing locations based on what inspires us, or because they’re trending online?
- Are we taking the time to refine our craft, or rushing through it for the sake of engagement?
As someone who regularly creates both images and videos, I find this shift hard to fully grasp. Personally, I still enjoy watching photographers take us into the field, show their process, and share their thought patterns as they compose a shot. Seeing the final edit at the end of a video makes it feel like a complete journey. But that style of content seems to be fading in favor of quick, high-engagement gear reviews and fast-paced edits.
The Power of Print and Slowing Down
This brings me to something I’ve been thinking about more: the value of print and books. Unlike endless scrolling, physical prints and photography books force us to slow down and appreciate images in detail. There’s something special about sitting in a chair, flipping through pages, and studying the work of others—something that simply doesn’t happen when consuming content the way we do now.
Think about how different it feels to:
- Hold a fine art print in your hands vs. seeing it on a tiny screen.
- Study a photography book for inspiration vs. flipping past dozens of images on Instagram.
- Take time to digest and appreciate a composition vs. scrolling past it in a second.
Instead of letting photography be another high-speed, disposable piece of media, shouldn’t we encourage a return to slower, more intentional engagement?
Why Field Photography Still Matters
Gear will always be part of photography. There’s no denying that. But there’s something about being in the field, dealing with unpredictable conditions, and making creative decisions on the spot that can’t be replicated in a studio.
When you’re out in nature:
- The light is always changing. You have to adapt.
- The conditions are never the same. Weather, tides, and seasons all play a role.
- The creative process is fluid. You can’t just rely on presets and formulas.
And yet, field photography is taking a backseat to controlled, scripted content that’s designed to sell a product rather than teach a craft. That’s what worries me the most.
My Questions to You
Slow down. Appreciate photography for what it is, not what algorithms want it to be.
If we let social media dictate the way we consume and create, we risk losing something valuable—the ability to truly connect with an image.
Otherwise, the future of photography might not be photographs at all, but AI-generated composites and viral videos of teenagers dancing. Don’t believe me? Just look at how Instagram has shifted its focus away from photography and toward video content.
So, I’ll leave you with this:
- When was the last time you truly studied an image?
- When was the last time you shot for yourself, not for social media?
- When was the last time you let a photograph sink in, rather than just swiping past it?
What are your thoughts? Am I off the mark, or do you see this shift happening too? Let’s discuss in the comments.
