Behind the Scenes

In 1978, camera manufacturer Canon launches the first camera with automatic program mode. Aperture, shutter speed, focus and ISO values can now be automatically recognized and set by the device. This technical revolution opens up new possibilities even for amateurs without professional photographer training, as hardly any prior knowledge is required to operate the working tool. Joachim Giesel wanted to prepare training for technological progress, which is why he took over as Chairman of the Central Association of German Professional Photographers in the same year and campaigned for reforms. In this context, he publishes several texts for trade journals and publications. In the article Die Ausbildung zum Fotografen von morgen – müssen wir umdenken? (1979) for the magazine ProfiFoto: “The mastery of technology is the basis of our profession. But […] without the ability to train seeing and thinking before pressing the shutter release, the photographer of tomorrow will pass his time”. Giesel recognized early on the risks of an outdated approach to teaching photography only as a “physical-chemical process”. His efforts were aimed at training photographers who could assert themselves on the market thanks to their technical expertise and photographic quality. But after six years, he drew a resigned conclusion: “internal [disputes] and overly traditional thinking” were blocking the reform process.

Adrian-Rezan Öner