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Friday, September 12, 2008

Hmmm...

You know how on automobiles, the steering wheel looks like a steering wheel and the accelerator and brake pedals look like you expect them to look? Perhaps more importantly, those critical items are pretty much where you expect to find them, right? One may have to look to find the wiper controls or the radio tuning buttons, but the really important things are pretty self evident.

O.K. So why aren’t digital cameras equally obvious and intuitive? True, unlike cars, there’s no safety issue. But it’s interesting how often folks offer to take a photograph of someone, using the subject’s camera, and the first question is: “What button do I push?” Frequently the second question is: “Where do I look?”, unless the oversized screen is staring right at them.

I know this isn’t an earth shattering line of inquiry. But as I thought back over Carrie and Al’s various celebrations, I did notice this recurring theme. And if one can’t ask the odd, niggling question here, well, what’s a blog for?

3 comments:

Ms Brown Mouse said...

Hmm, perhaps because they've not been around long and started so quickly and proliferated so well and there are so many people making them ... dunno really.

purpleronnie said...

It is an interesting question. My question to Steven is always, which button do I press to look at the picture I have just taken?

Pink Granite said...

Hi DMM -
Good thoughts all.
Over the course of those several occasions, the repeated refrain of “What button do I push?”, finally penetrated my consciousness. That's what got me thinking...
;o)
- Lee

Hi Ronnie -
Even after more than two years and thousands of photos, I still get a little nervous about using the camera to review the photos I've snapped. I think it feels too much like opening up a film camera and exposing the film!
;o)
- Lee