Is Pokémon Snap really inspiring the next generation of photographers?
Is Pokémon Snap really inspiring the next generation of photographers?
Is Pokémon Snap really inspiring the next generation of photographers?
June 10, 2022
By Beth Nicholls
Summary
A year ago, Nintendo released a remastered version of one its most loved Nintendo 64 games, Pokémon Snap.
We've been raving about this game on DCW since it was first released, and the growing popularity of photography-based video games doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
This got me thinking... could the New Pokémon Snap game be the perfect safe gateway into educating the next generation of younger photographers? Of course, nothing will ever beat actually getting out there with a film or digital camera and practicing composition and the rule of thirds - but I don't think this game gets enough credit for the teachings and photographic aspects it employs.
Nintendo did encourage gamers to share and compare their pokémon Snap images by sharing their screenshots online when the game first released, which can be a pleasant and positive experience.
That's not to say that gaming or virtual photography isn't "Real" photography, as many people have made a career and a living from gaming and screenshot photography, but that's a separate article.
While some elements of photography are crucial to learn in understanding the fundamentals, and can't be learned from a video game, it could be argued that photography as a practice isn't really something that can be taught past a certain extent, and a personal journey of developing your skill and finding your style is what makes a photographer successful, and everyone does it differently.
While Pokémon as a franchise might seem childish to some, and gaming certainly isn't for everyone, I really do believe that interactive photography games and courses such as Pokémon Snap, amongst others, are the future of educating younger children and aspiring photographers as a first step, acting as a perfect way to train and engage your photographic eye in a virtual setting as it were.
Reference
Nicholls, B. (2022, June 10). Is pokémon snap really inspiring the next generation of photographers? Retrieved June 17, 2022, from https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/i-think-pokemon-snap-is-a-brilliant-way-to-get-kids-into-photography