Today’s smartphones allow anyone to shoot quality images. In fact, no serious photographer refutes the advantages of portability, convergence and convenience any more. “Smart cameras” are products and services to fill or solve people’s needs. Nothing beats the look and texture of images from a high-end digital camera. But downsized to Web and personal use, it’s hard to tell the difference. Thanks to ingenious software algorithms even noise and white balance have become no-brainers. A few clicks, and the lousiest of images look nice.

For the majority of people it makes no difference with what device they’re shooting. The more serious photographer appreciates the interaction with a nice tool rendering the best possible images, for the average snapper photography is not about taking or making pictures, it’s about sharing, being seen, selfies, and so forth.

The more serious photographer takes pride in gear and technique. Photography is an earnest and inspiring way of self-reflection. The casual smartphone shooter couldn’t care less about camera specs. Photos are here for the purpose of self-promotion and interacting with people.

On the one side we have the more lonely, complicated, mysterious photographer. On the other the cheerful, outgoing, smart and fun-loving smartphone user. That’s at least how marketing plays us. First one of the somber Nikon Df commercials (which really appeal to me), then the much more positive Samsung photography putting functionality above substance:

Two so different approaches, epitomizing the gap between old and new generation photography.