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10 Eye-opening Photography Stats and Facts You Need to Know

Photography is considered both a fine art and an art form. It has evolved into a popular hobby among both professional photographers and people with an interest in photography, as well as artists of all kinds. This has led to an increase in artistic creativity across the board, including an increase in high-end cameras and impressive photography portfolios. Here are some eye-opening photography stats and facts you need to know whether you’re a professional or a newbie:

1. The World Wide Web Consortium estimates that approximately 1.6 trillion photos will be taken in 2023.

a man is taking photo with his camera

According to the World Wide Web Consortium, approximately 1.6 trillion photos will be taken in 2023. The organization also estimates that one trillion of those will be uploaded to social media sites. In recent years, better camera technology and apps have made photography easier than ever before—but it's also contributed to an overload of visual information.

Photography is a popular hobby, but most people don't share their pictures online. Canon's study found that 97 percent of respondents took photographs for their own use only and didn't share them with anyone else. Only half a percent of respondents shared their work on social media sites like Facebook, while two percent submitted their photos to photo contests or online exhibitions.

2. The demand for photographers is expected to increase by 17 percent between 2020 and 2030.

a man is taking photo with his camera

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of photographers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of photographers is expected to grow as more people create and post their own videos and photos on social media, while also wanting to preserve these images in a tangible format.

The BLS expects employment growth will be driven by multimedia artists and animators; photojournalists; videographers and camera operators; web developers; and photographers. These jobs are expected to increase as technologies advance, creating new opportunities during the pandemic for photographers who can capture moments using new devices or develop apps to allow users to view or edit photos on the go.

3. Importance of White Balance

White balance is the process of adjusting your camera so that whites appear white and other colors appear accurate. If your images have a yellow or blue cast — or if they're too magenta or green — then you haven't set the right white balance for the scene.

white balance chart elucidation

The most common mistake photographers make is using Auto White Balance (AWB) in situations where it's not appropriate. AWB works well in some situations, but it doesn't handle others well. Most cameras offer at least two other white balance settings: Daylight and Shade. These are more accurate than AWB in many cases because they take into account the color temperature of light sources such as daylight, incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights.

4. Canon and Sony are the leading camera manufacturers, with a combined share of 70% in the global market.

image of a Canon camera

The camera market is dominated by Canon and Sony, with the two companies holding 70% of the global market share. This is according to the latest data from CIPA, which shows that Canon and Sony are followed by Fujifilm, Nikon and Panasonic.

CIPA's report for the first half of 2019 shows that Canon and Sony each have a 28% share of the global camera market, while Fujifilm has 10%, Nikon has 7% and Panasonic has 5%. The rest of the top 10 are Samsung (3%), Olympus (2%), Kodak (1%), Leica (1%) and Pentax (1%).

5. Median salary for photographers will increase from $39,060 to $44,970.

a man is taking photo with his camera

It is estimated that job opportunities for all photographers will increase from 106,400 in 2016 to 117,900 in 2026. It is expected that the median salary for photographers will increase from $39,060 to $44,970 over the same time period.

Aspiring professional photographers have the option of pursuing photography jobs in many different fields, including commercial, fashion, sports and studio photography, as well as wedding photography. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment growth in all five areas will be about 10% through 2026.

The majority of people have now heard of a photo or video filter that automatically applies certain effects to digital images and videos. Before thinking about the type of photography work you want to specialize in, it's helpful to know a little about the history of such filters. A good place to start is with some key characters involved in their development.

6. Top 5 Photography Trends for 2023

a beautiful picture of houses along the river

The photography industry changes constantly, as new technologies come along and old ones become obsolete. The key to predicting future trends is understanding how the past has driven change. Here's a look at five top trends we predict will shape photography in 2023:

 a) Using Equipment in Innovative Ways

To get a fresh perspective on your work, use items in new ways, carry a different piece of equipment or try different lighting techniques. Rather than shooting landscapes with a long telephoto lens, for example, bring it along on a portrait shoot and try bouncing natural light off a reflector into your subject's face at an angle. A similar approach can be made to light sources as well—instead of relying solely on strobes, bounce natural light off of a reflector into your subject's face at an angle.

b) Color designers and manufacturers have come to expect that photographers will use the color, saffron (Pantone 14-1064).

As mentioned previously, Saffron is a color that has been so highly anticipated by virtually everyone in the image-editing world. By typing in its Pantone number, which is 14-1064, you can easily find this yellow-orange color in various image editing software, e.g. Photoshop. Because of its popularity, it is also available in a digital paint program called Corel Painter and has been used as a primary color in many artworks.

c) Captivating Colors

Captivating Colors is a form of art using vivid colors to capture moments and feelings. This still-developing style has been loved by many photographers around the world, who have used it in documentary and photojournalism as well as commercial photography for businesses and products.

d) Authenticity and Candid imagery

Trends in photography include authenticity and candid imagery. Increased access to cell phone cameras and the popularity of post-processing applications like Instagram have made it easier for photographers to capture images that look candid, even if they were not originally taken that way. The trend is largely due to a response from photographers who are tired of seeing the same staged, posed photos being uploaded to social media.

e) High Drama Photos

The past several years have seen dramatic changes in the market for photographic equipment, with camera phones replacing many professional photographers' bulky SLRs and point-and-shoot cameras flooding the market. As a result of these developments, high drama photography—in which the photographer captures an image with a strong emotional impact, often relying on a powerful composition to have that effect—has become increasingly popular.

7. More than two-thirds of the top 120 photographers don’t use brand names in their work.

a picture of a laptop

A study by PhotoShelter found that 66 percent of the top 120 most successful photographers do not use brand names in their work. The study looked at portfolios of 1,200 professional photographers over a 3-year period and cross-referenced them with brands mentioned in the credits. In many cases, this is an attempt to distance themselves from the commercial aspects of photography.

8. Photos, video, and other multimedia elements received 36% more views as compared to text-only releases.

a visual image showing the tranforming APPs from iPhoto to Apple watch

A new study by Muck Rack, an online platform that connects journalists with PR professionals, found that press releases with multimedia elements receive 36% more views as compared to those that are only text-based. The press release was primarily used to announce products and services from clients in order to spark interest amongst readers.

Newspapers and other media outlets now use multimedia, including videos and pictures, in an attempt to attract and retain audiences. But a recent study published by University of Washington researchers shows that while the media industry—and, specifically, professional writers—may benefit from the use of multimedia, other industries might not. However, this study remains valuable because it shows how powerful images and videos can be in making a point even if people don't want to read something or are compelled enough by images or videos to take a look anyway.

9. Photographers are most in-demand in Washington, DC.

image of the camera preview box

Washington, DC is the most in-demand location for photographers in the country. The city was one of the top 10 markets for photographers in 2013, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Although it's not surprising that a city with as many high-profile events and landmarks as Washington would be a top location for photographers, it does have an outsized presence when compared to other cities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly rate for photographers in 2013 was $18.48 across the country. In Washington, DC, however, the hourly rate was $22.99—more than double that of photographers elsewhere, and nearly 50% higher than photographers' rates in any other large metropolitan area.

10. Adding a backdrop to a photo can improve its quality; 40% of shareability is based on the quality of your social media content and factors such as engagement and accessibility.

Kate Unicorn Carousel Backdrop Dreams Designed by Mandy Ringe Photography

A good photographer can capture a moment in a single shot, but that one shot won't be as powerful without the right backdrop. 40% of shareability on social media is based on the content itself, while the remaining 60% is attributable to factors such as engagement and accessibility. This means that the quality of your pictures, videos, and other content has a direct correlation with their ability to go viral.

One obvious way to improve the quality of your photos is to invest in a good camera and lens. What you may not realize, however, is that editing software can also make a big difference in how eye-catching your photos are. For example, adding a subtle background—like a solid color or an abstract image—can do wonders for your subject's complexion and overall appeal by drawing attention to it without overpowering it.

The best photographers are also the most open-minded, as they seek to both improve their artistic vision and connect with a global community. Photography is a constantly evolving art form, and all photographers benefit from learning more about the tools at their disposal and how to optimize them for a variety of creative tasks. As your photography skills grow, the following photography statistics and facts will help you explore more creative possibilities.

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