University Photography Trends Report: Cell Phone vs DSLR Cameras

This report analyzes the changing trends in the photography industry, specifically focusing on the impact of cell phones on the use of DSLR cameras. The research investigates whether cell phone photography is becoming the mainstream method of image capturing, comparing the features and preferences of both DSLR cameras and cell phones. The study includes a literature review on technological advancements, current market effects, and the professional photography industry. The methodology involves a mixed-method approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collected through surveys to understand user perspectives. Findings reveal that while many are interested in photography and capturing photos, preferences vary among casual, hobbyist, enthusiast, and professional photographers. The report concludes with a discussion on the implications of these trends, considering the future of photography and the role of cell phones in replacing traditional DSLR cameras.

Running head: RESEARCH AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Research and Project Management Skills
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Research Aim...................................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives.........................................................................................................................2
Research Hypothesis........................................................................................................................2
Literature Review............................................................................................................................3
Current effects of cell phone in the professional photo industry.....................................................3
Use of DSLR cameras in Professional Photo Industry....................................................................4
Effects created on the Professional Photographers..........................................................................5
Methodology....................................................................................................................................6
Research Results and Discussions...................................................................................................7
Quantitative Questions.....................................................................................................................7
Qualitative Questions.....................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
References......................................................................................................................................19
Appendix........................................................................................................................................20

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Introduction
The changes in the current market have the clear impacts on the perspective value of the
people. Currently, the advancements in the smart phones are affecting the traditional method
taking photographs. The hobbyist photographers usually prefer the DSLR camera for their
interests in the photography Lillie (2015). Even though the cell phone features in this current
scenario has the specific features for capturing images easily, many people still use the DSLR
cameras for the photography purposes. The study would present the ideas about the replacements
of the DSLR cameras by the cell phones. The technological advancements and the trends of
using cameras would also be discussed in this study.
Research Aim
The aim of the research is to identify whether cell phone has replaced the technologies of
DSLR cameras in terms of capturing photographs. The study also attempts to identify the
preference of the DSLR cameras among the hobbyist photographers.
Research Objectives
 To identify the emerging trends of cell phone usages for taking photographs
 To present the comparison of the photography aspects through cell phone and DSLR
cameras
 To critically analyze the possible trends of cell phones that are becoming the mainstream
media of photo imaging

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Research Hypothesis
H0: Cell phone photography is not the mainstream media of photo imaging
H1: Cell phone photography is becoming the mainstream media of photo imaging
Literature Review
The development of the technological trends has been the major concern in every media
channel. The mainstream media is highly influenced by the technological advancements and
current methods of media use. However, there are still some of the contradictory views and
arguments present regarding the use of these media methods (Hjorth and Pink 2014). Especially,
the easy use of the cell phones for capturing images has been replacing the camera uses. The
literature study would thus provide the insightful ideas about the current trends of the cell phone,
which is replacing the most common mainstream media for capturing images.
Current effects of cell phone in the professional photo industry
The enormous changes in the world seek betterment in every aspect. Accordingly, people
shift their choices towards the advancements. The technology and art world also experience such
changes in the patterns. It is notable that the photo imagining industry is much concerned with
the progressive increment since the times of Renaissance (Alper 2014). People usually use the
high quality camera for capturing the priceless moments and the photographs. The hobbyist
photographers are even fond of using the well-featured cameras to make their photographs more
attractive to the viewers. However, it has been observed that since last couple of decades, the
emergence of advanced mobile technologies has been replacing the use of these traditional
methods of capturing images. In current time, it has been observed that people have been using

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the easiest and quickest ways of capturing moments of their precious events. The highly
advanced mobile technologies are influencing the minds of the people in a significant way.
Therefore, the use of the DSLR is degrading continuously (Shipley 2015). The report even
reflects that the sales of the DSLR cameras have been degrading since last few decades. It is thus
assumed that the sudden fall in the sales ratio may affect the use of the mainstream media of the
DSLR cameras in the photo industry. On the contrary, some of the hobbyist photographers prefer
to use the DSLR effects and cameras for making the pictures more attractive. In the professional
photo industry, people use the professional cameras for their imaging purposes. Hence, it is a
contradictory view that the use of the mobile phone is situational for the professional
photographers.
Use of DSLR cameras in Professional Photo Industry
The professional photo industry has the ultimate bond with the DSLR and well-featured
professional cameras. The industry is almost dependent on such ecosystem. The features of the
Mirror less cameras are specifically seen in the DSLR cameras, which are chosen mostly by the
professional photographers. However, Rubinstein (2005) argued that the current advancements in
the technologies have been improving the mobile camera quality that is becoming more
competent in front of the DSLR cameras. It is giving the mobile phones more opportunity to
replace the traditional method of capturing the photos with proper effects since the features are
already available in the cell phones. It is important to mention that the declines in the sales ratio
of the DSLR cameras and the rise of the cameras of cell phones have influenced the professional
photography world quite drastically (Shu 2016). Generally, now-a-days, people usually do not
seek the professional cameras when they can get the similar effects and features in their cell
phone camera.

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Effects created on the Professional Photographers
Photography is undoubtedly one of the most difficult skills to adopt by the people. The
adequate knowledge about the photographs and tactics would make a perfect capture. However,
it has been observed that the rise of the modern cameras has brought the drastic changes in this
scenario. These big cameras are thus becoming affordable and smaller. The use of the films even
made it more accessible to the users. Eventually, photography gained the most popularity among
the hobbyist photographers (Boissin et al. 2015). However, it has been observed that the films
used in the cameras are quite expensive and it is quite time consuming. The developed world
then introduced the high-tech facilities to minimize the errors and become more available and
user-friendly to the people. The professional photography world was thus affected by the
emergence of the cell phone cameras. Currently, it has been observed that people are more
inclined to capture images through the cell phone instead of the professional cameras. In fact,
now-a-days, it is not necessary for the people to become a knowledgeable one too use these
technologies. The user-friendly features present in the cell phone cameras are quite helpful for
them to capture the images instantly (Villi 2015). As a result, it is observed that the world of
professional photography has been declining and dying with time. In fact, it is also observed that
the future of the professional photography is also uncertain. Now, the ordinary people are
capturing their moments at wedding, while travelling, or in any events. However, it is needless to
mention that the cell phone camera has not yet reached to the quality of the DSLR cameras. The
optical filters, flashguns, tripod, and other essential activities are not available in the cell phone.
Hence, if the comparison is present between these two methods of photography, the DSLR
cameras would win the show with its most remarkable image quality that attracts the customers
much significantly.

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Methodology
The study concentrates on the comparative analysis between the cell phone cameras and
the DSLR cameras. The major concern of this study is whether the cell phone cameras are
becoming the mainstream media or photo imaging by replacing the DSLR cameras. The research
is conducted by developing the mixed method process where both the primary and the secondary
data are collected. The secondary information developed in the literature review section is
collected from the secondary sources, such as journals, research articles, newspaper articles,
websites, and books. On the other hand, the primary data collection process is associated with
two major methods, such as quantitative data collection process and the qualitative data
collection process. In order to derive the results from the primary data collection process, aa set
of questionnaires is formulated.
The opinions and perceptions of the people will be collected regarding their interests in
photography. A wide range of people participated in this data collection people and presented
their interests on photography skills. The major focus of the research was to gather the ideas
about the photography interests from a number of people who have been quite fond of this
particular field. The public opinion was collected to ensure the effects of the emerging cell phone
cameras that are eventually replacing the DSLR cameras. The survey has covered a diverse
community, such as university students, workplace, social media, and friend groups. An
informative and simple set of questionnaires were formulated there were 4 different kinds of
questions that covered the vast area of research subject. The research focused on 50 subjects
containing the age groups between 18 to 46 years and above. The data was collected from both
the online and offline sources. The copies of the questionnaire were sent to people through the
online sites. On the other hand, the set of printed questionnaires were distributed among the

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offline people in order to gather their responses over this subject matter. The further study would
concentrate on such collected data and would present the analysis to understand the perception of
the people.
Research Results and Discussions
This section of the study would present the findings obtained from the quantitative and
qualitative data collection process. The findings and the discussion of the information is
presented further.
Quantitative Questions
1) Are you interested in photography?
Table 1: Interests on Photography
(Source: Created by the Author)
Option Response Frequency
(%)
Number of Responses Total Respondents
Yes 56% 28 50
No 44% 22 50
Mean 1.44
Median 1
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 0.501427

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Yes No
56%
44%
Interests on Photography
Graph 1: Interests on Photography
(Source: Created by the Author)
Findings and Analysis
The above table indicates that majority 56% of the respondents are interested on
photography whereas remaining 44% of the respondents are not so much interested. Therefore, it
is clear that majority of the people are much fond of the photography field, be it casual or
professional. Mean and median in this questionnaire is 1, which indicates that majority of the
respondents selected the first option. The standard deviation is 0.50, which tends to 1. It implies
that the risk in this questionnaire is low.

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2. Do you like to capture photos?
Table 2: Capturing Photos
(Source: Created by the Author)
Option Response Frequency
(%)
Number of Responses Total Respondents
Yes 92% 46 50
No 8% 4 50
Mean 1.08
Median 1
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 0.274048

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Yes No
92%
8%
Capturing Photos
Graph 2: Capturing Photos
(Source: Created by the Author)
Findings and Analysis
The obtained idea from the above question highlights majority 92% of the respondents
mentioned that they are interested in capturing pictures whereas remaining 8% of the
respondents did not show any interests. It is thus defining that majority of the people has the
casual interests in capturing the images for any events or any moment. The median and mode in
this questionnaire is 1, which indicates that the majority of the respondents selected the first
option. The standard deviation is 0.27, which tends to 1 and indicates that the risk is quite low in
this questionnaire.
3. What is your level of photography?
Table 3: Types of Photographer

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(Source: Created by the Author)
Option Response Frequency
(%)
Number of Responses Total Respondents
Casual 32% 16 50
Hobbyist 24% 12 50
Enthusiast 16% 8 50
Professional 28% 14 50
Mean 2.4
Median 2
Mode 1
Standard Deviation 1.212183
Casual Hobbyist Enthusiast Professional
32%
24%
16%
28%
Types of Photographer
Graph 3: Types of Photographer