Modern living is inconceivable without smartphones which influence not just our daily routines but also our perspective of the world. A large portion of Australians, close to 90%, own one of these ubiquitous gadgets and spend about 5.6 hours daily utilizing them. Furthermore, most photographs taken this year, over 90%, were attributed to smartphones. Yet, a comparison between the photo collection of a 13-year-old and a 60-year-old would reveal stark differences. In our study, published in the Journal of Visual Literacy, we examined generational variations in smartphone photography and emergent trends that are transforming our world's perception. Here are the five key patterns we identified.

Firstly, pictures are taken more casually these days, encompassing an expanded range of subjects. Prior to the smartphone era, cameras were exclusive to specific events and purposes. Today, they have pervaded our daily lives — we use smartphones to capture images of our meals, physical progress, academic work and other routine activities in addition to the rare special occasions. Whilst older generations took out their cameras only for special occasions, the narrative has changed dramatically today.

In the second place, we found that our participants were not as captivated by selfies as many assume. Only 14% of the time was devoted to utilizing the phone's front-facing selfie camera. Participants were consciously cautious not to come across as self-absorbed.

Thirdly, a rise in the popularity of vertical compositions was noticed. Previously, whether you had a bulky camera or a disposable one, they were conventionally held horizontally. The vertical design of smartphones and their apps such as Instagram and Snapchat are encouraging more pictures taken in portrait mode.

Fourthly, participants preferred maintaining a distance while photographing people as opposed to close-ups. Intimate framing was observed in less than 10% of the pictures. Teenagers, in particular, expressed their annoyance when their parents zoomed in for a picture or overstepped their personal space while taking a photo.

Finally, photographic inspiration, especially among the younger generation, seems to stem predominantly from what they see online especially on social media platforms such as Instagram. Comparatively, the older participants were influenced more by physical media like photography books, posters, and magazines.

In essence, as technology evolves and continues to mold the way we view and capture the world, it's vital to contemplate the reasons and effects of our photographic choices. For instance, the angle at which we photograph a subject can imply or strip them of their symbolic power, not unlike how photographing a politician from a low angle can make them appear more powerful.

As we move forward, with the increasing number and novel means of image production, it becomes more crucial to be mindful of our use of cameras and other imaging technology.