The topic of technology that I chose to research was Speed Graphic cameras. Speedgraphic was manufactured by Graflex, who was a camera producer in Rochester,New York. Surprisingly what was found was that although this camera may have been one of the best cameras to ever be produced, they no longer make them. The Speed Graphic has not been manufactured since 1973; the Speed Graphicwas America’s first and last great camera. But what made the Speed Graphic camera so high-class? With its two shutters and many different lenses with wide frames it stood out from all other technologies in that time era.

This camera affected photojournalism because this was the camera of choice for most photojournalist during the World War II. It was simple to use and got the job done. When it came to the quality of pictures and the cameras abilities it was what photojournalists wanted. With being able to capture many photos within seconds it made this camera useful for war photojournalism.

                                                        Image by: Arthur Fellig

                                      Image Source: http://www.worcesterart.org/exhibitions/Past/fellig.html

What I discovered when I compared the pre-digital photographic technology with my experience taking my image on my phone was that my device didn't have much of a variety with the features. For example, for the Speed Graphic cameras you had different lens that you could equip to enhance your pictures depending on your distance etc. And for my phone, what’s built in my phone is what I have to work with. The Speed Graphic cameras also were told to be fairly difficult to use for beginners but once you got an understanding for it, it became easy to use. As for my IPhone 4, I feel that it’s easy to use for a beginner in all phases. The similarities in these two were that if you know how to adjust the camera or phone at its best positions you can come out with similar quality images. With the way that technology is advancing, I’m sure you will see some phones almost as good as well-developed cameras used by photojournalists.

                                                         Image by: Devonte' Dillion

For the cameras back then, having the motor drive which also could be called as the shutter speed was an advantage in your field of photography. As Nordell said, “When you hold the shutter button down its takes a series of images rapidly,taking 10 images per second.” As for the IPhone though it has a similar feature but isn't as good quality. Nerveless the fact that both these devices can take photos which is an up front similarity, without them many instances would be overlooked. Some such as to help families or presidents elections. “Historians saythat photography changed the war in several ways. It allowed families to have akeepsake representation of their fathers or sons as they were away from home.” People could follow a journey simply through photos. And for these people to get these story telling photos these photographers had to lay it all out. “Capawas known to say, If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.”   This connects to their ability, they had no choice but to be quick on their feet and decisive. As Weegee said, “Newsphotography teaches you to think fast.”