We all are used to making selections from the camera roll on our iPhones: eyes trained to find information in small canvas
Small photos tell the story of Robin William’s career in the movies and TV.
I hope that researchers will give us the answer to a question that is often in my mind: Are those of us who use iPhones and tablets constantly getting used to “reading” small images better than before these devices existed?
What brings this to mind today is the August 25 edition of TIME Magazine with a very thorough tribute to actor/comedian Robin Williams, who died recently.
A double page of photos revisiting Williams' career uses 93 small photos. It is as if one was glancing at the iPhone camera roll. It would have been unthinkable five years ago for a photo editor to accommodate so many photos in such small canvas. Right now, however, I see it happening more often.
Is it because we are used to seeing and to reading small images on our digital devices?
This is a question for students of visual journalism to consider as part of their theses and dissertations.
I'd dare say that,indeed, our use of digital media has prepared us to feel comfortable with small photos. Does not mean that big photos are still the preferred, but it offers possibilities for more visual storytelling through photo galleries.