Why We Love Digital Photography

Article: America Online's Digital Pictures Survey Finds That Instant Gratification Factor Tops List of What Consumers Love Most about Digital Photography (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040511005429&newsLang=en)

Summary: AOL did a digital photograph survey recently and found that the ability to see images instantly, print images whenever they want and share images easily with friends and family are the most popular benefits of digital photography. The survey also found that the number one method for sharing digital photos today is online. Digital cameras beat out sunscreen, a good book and video cameras as the top item survey respondents must have when leaving for vacation.

Some more interesting finds from the survey: Close to one-third, 31%, of younger respondents (aged 18-49), say they take pictures several times a week; however, more than 80% of all respondents say they take pictures at least once a month
Among those respondents with multiple cameras, digital film cameras are used most often than other types of cameras. Seventy-one percent of respondents said they use their digital film camera regularly or occasionally
About one-fourth of those surveyed, 29%, received their digital camera as a gift; the next biggest reason for purchasing a digital camera was an upcoming vacation
Over a quarter of respondents, 27%, say they take photos with their digital cameras 100% of the time while a third say they take pictures with their digital cameras most of the time
More than half of those surveyed, 64%, believe it is easier to use a digital camera now than in the last few years. In addition, 74% of those surveyed believe that the picture quality has improved
Approximately 70% of those surveyed use a home printer to print their pictures
The ability to print pictures whenever they want is the second most popular feature of digital cameras (right behind the instant gratification factor of seeing an image right away)
Thirty percent of those surveyed print their pictures at least once a week, while 42% print them at least once a month
More than 70% of those surveyed share their pictures via e-mail and about one-fifth of respondents also share them via instant messages. Sharing images via instant message is particularly popular with younger respondents. Close to one third, 29%, of respondents aged 18 to 34, IM photos to friends and family
The two top digital media activities digital camera users do with their photos are creating screensavers on their PC, 37%, and creating personal photo albums, 34%
Other emerging popular activities include burning digital photo albums on CDs, 29%, creating digital slide shows, 23%, and posting pictures on online auction sites, 21%
Younger respondents (aged 18-34) also indicated particular interest in using their digital pictures to customize screensavers for their mobile phone and posting pictures on online dating services. Close to one in ten respondents between the age of 18 and 34 identified these two activities as some of the things they do with digital photos
In terms of storage, 45% keep all their digital pictures on their computers' hard drive, 33% store them on other digital media, and 12% print them and organize them in a photo album
About 30% of respondents upload pictures from their camera at least once a week, while 39% upload them about once a month
Over 70% of those surveyed say they will likely photograph family this summer
Over one-third of respondents, 36%, say that vacations are their favorite occasion to use their digital cameras
Beyond using their digital camera to capture memorable moments with family members and friends, the next most popular reason people take photographs is for a holiday card/invitation (online and printed), 34%, followed by tasks specific for their work/business, 30%, items to post on an online auction, 30%, archiving valuable/irreplaceable items in their home, 26%, and for a school project, 19%

Question: Did these numbers surprise you at all? What are your thoughts on the digital photography industry after seeing these numbers?

Didnt surpurise me. But I dont see why people print thier pictures at home when its like half or 1/3 the cost to take them to walmart, but still. :0)

Convenience, perhaps? Privacy of being able to do it without a number of people in the development place seeing their photos?

Perhaps, but im not private about my pictures. Pictures are meant to be shown to people, so then what difference does it make if the developers see it? Besides they process alot of film and probably dont have time to pay close attention. But I do understand the sort of pictures your talking about. :0)

;) lol. :lol: