According to the Ancient Greek philosophers, a thing could be good in two ways. Either it could be beautiful, or it could be useful. Photography, as a discipline, straddles this line. On the one hand, it is an art form, where images from the world can be captured in gorgeous focus, through perfect angles and with dazzling lighting. In this way, photography is an innovation in art, the infinitely duplicated image, where there is no ‘original’. Over the past century, photography – and its extension, film – have revolutionised media, entertainment, and visual art.
However, photography and film are also extremely useful. They can be used for research, taking pictures of the tiniest life forms and microbes, or the largest, furthest heavenly bodies. They can be used to show what someone looks like, to record events for historical purposes, or just as an aid to memory. And they can be used to preserve a view and put it in a new context, where it can aid and enlighten and achieve a new function.
A reversing camera might not take particularly beautiful shots, but it is supremely useful. What you see behind your car when you reverse probably isn’t an artistic masterpiece. But having that extra vision might just prevent you from getting a nasty dent or running over the neighbour’s cat. That’s why it’s well worth investing in a rear vision camera – it might not be a world-changing aesthetic experience, but its utilitarian value is what you’re really paying for. Like your vehicle itself, beauty isn’t necessarily the main draw of the tech. Sure, a flashy ride looks cool and might be impressive, but it’s far more important to drive something that’s reliable and safe. And ultimately, a reverse camera kit makes your driving experience safer, protecting you, your vehicle, and those around you. And if you are driving a fancy, expensive vehicle, then that’s all the more reason to shell out a little more to ensure it doesn’t get damaged.
