SPECIAL REPORT: Are Smartphones Replacing Photography?

Sodiq Yusuf

In the modern era, the business of photography has evolved in leaps and bounds, with varying innovations and ideas aiding its transformation.

One of these transformations is the rapid growth from analogue to digital cameras, greatly assisted by the invention of smartphones, which is fastly eroding the usage of cameras.

OSUN DEFENDER reporter in this report takes a look at the endangered photography business, occasioned by the use of smartphones.

Photography and the Business

The art of photography in Nigeria dates back to the colonial times and has since become an acceptable profession due to its profitable venture.

Predominantly, the essence of photography is to keep memories. Memories range from that of personal achievements, events, and very important occasions that make the world go round.

This implies why the craft remains valid among people, making them attach great importance to having good photographers at events to capture epoch making history moments for them. In fact, the beauty of photography radiates in journalism as a picture is said to worth more than a thousand words.

With the arrival of digital photography, many people no longer use film in their cameras. The era can even be said to have phased out.

In recent times, many people usually use their smartphones to take photographs, rather than going to the photo studio or inviting photographers to a function to work with their professional cameras.

What Photographers Think

Some photographers at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, shared their experience on how the advent of smartphones have affected their businesses.

A photographer, Lanre Aminu, told OSUN DEFENDER that: “Our business is largely affected by the advent of smartphones. People no longer come to us. They prefer taking photos on their phones. When you look at the calibre of the new smartphones in the market, some have camera resolutions that can take 4k resolution images.

“The import is that when people buy a smartphone for as high as N1.2 million or even more, you can imagine why more do they need a professional camera when all they need is on their phones.

“For some of us, we have gone ahead to optimise other Ventures. Personally, I do more videography, movie production, and documentaries. Aside from those who come to take passport photographs, we may not have patronage throughout a week. I will advise my colleagues to explore.”

Also, a professional photographer, John Adeyi, said it is imperative to get acquainted with modern technology in order to have good results.

“The era of analogue or semi-digital photography is gone. We need to explore areas of photography that people have not done. If we explore and get acquainted with the latest technology, we will get more patronage and best results,” Adeyi noted.

They urged their colleagues to be proactive and ensure that no effort is spared to remain professional so as to stay relevant in the business.

Findings further revealed that regardless of the influx of smartphones, the people still engage the services of professional photographers for passport photographs and other big events.

Another good news, however, is that while the era of mass studio photos is fading out, the window of documentary photography is another profitable venture for upcoming photographers with many of them becoming official photographers the well to do in the society, most especially, political office holders.