Ebonyi Journal of Science, Volume 3, Number 1, March 2020

THE APPLICATION AND CHALLENGES OF IN NIGERIA

OHIMAI, PATIENCE, E., PhD

DEPARTMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN,

AUCHI POLYTECHNIC, AUCHI, EDO STATE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the application and challenges of photography in Nigeria. The study considered the different types of photography, their prospects and limitations. The study revealed that the major challenges facing the practice of photography are insecurity, poor funding, cybercrimes, inadequate technology, lack of local content and unstable governance / politics. It therefore concluded that the practice of photography in Nigeria has a lot of advantages to the socio-cultural, socio- political and socio-economic development of the nation if all the major challenges are addressed.

1.0 Introduction production, recreational purposes, hobby, and mass communication (Marc-Olivier, Photography is the art of capturing 2011). light with a , usually via a digital sensor or film, to create an image (Belisle, The first permanent 2013; Peres, 2008). With the right camera was captured in 1826 (some sources say equipment, you can even photograph 1827) by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in wavelengths of light invisible to the France (Eder, 1945; Litchfield, 1903). human eye, including UV, infrared, and photography started to become radio. Photography is the art, application, popular and accessible with the release of and the practice of creating durable images Eastman Kodak’s “Kodachrome” film in by recording light, either electronically by the 1930s (Schewe, 2012). Before that, means of an , or chemically almost all photos were monochromatic – by means of a light-sensitive material such although a handful of photographers, as (Campbell, 2005; toeing the line between chemists and Needham, 2019). It is employed in many alchemists, had been using specialized fields of science, manufacturing (e.g., techniques to capture color images for photolithography), and business, as well as decades before (Anderson & Anderson, its more direct uses for art, film and video 1993).

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1.1 Types and Applications of a. Photography Portraiture is arguably one of the Below are some of the most most popular photography styles. Today, popular types of photography: virtually anybody can practice this genre with their smartphones. With powerful a. Portrait Photography specs becoming more accessible and social b. Still Life Photography media platforms promoting sharing the c. highlights of our lives, it’s become natural d. Food Photography to point and shoot (Marc-Olivier, 2011). e. f. Also known as candid g. photography, the beauty of portrait h. Event Photography photography is that it allows you to i. capture a subject’s personality. This can be j. Newborn Photography done through poses, close-ups, and k. evoking genuine expressions (Peterson, l. 2011). Professional photographers in this m. niche normally photograph supermodels or n. famous personalities on red carpets or at o. Weather Photography magazine shoots, but in some cases, they p. Architectural Photography also do graduation pictures, family q. Long Photography portraits, and professional headshots for aspiring models and actors (Belisle, 2013).

Figures 1-4: Images of portraits (Peterson, 2011).

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b. Still Life Photography billboards. One of the secrets in taking amazing still life photos is to have great As the name entails, this popular lighting, whether outdoor or indoor. In photography niche mainly involves taking product photography, many photographers photos of objects. It crosses over to use a lightbox. This eliminates harsh product photography, through which shadows by illuminating the item from all advertising agencies have branded items angles (Marc-Olivier, 2011). photographed for catalogs, magazines, and

Figures 5-7: Images of still life (Oloruntimilehin, 2018).

c. Landscape Photography while exploring the great outdoors. With such technology, it has become much This genre involves the shooting of easier to capture a bird’s eye view of tall trees, mountains, and anything else landscapes, breathing in more depth to that people may feel compelled to capture shots (Marc-Olivier, 2011).

Figures 8-10: Images of landscape (Marc-Olivier, 2011).

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d. Food Photography photos of our food, whether for fun or for marketing The aim of this type purposes (Mathur, 2014). of photography is to keep

Figures 11-13: Images of foods (Mathur, 2014).

e. Sports Photography and heavy lenses that are capable of zooming in to where the action is. These Sports photography is a more lenses are also specially made to shoot at professional niche that involves a lot of fast speeds, without ending up with high-speed shooting. Photographers who underexposed images (Mathur, 2014). shoot sports are normally armed with long

Figures 14-16: Images of sports (Mathur, 2014).

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obvious challenge of capturing good and clear images of wild animals without intruding on their natural habitats, a job in this niche requires major upgrades in f. Wildlife Photography camera equipment and a whole lot of Another rewarding and well-paying safety measures (Marc-Olivier, 2011). niche is wildlife photography. Due to the

Figures 17-19: Images of wildlife (Marc-Olivier, 2011).

g. Macro Photography is relatively easy, as long as you have the right equipment. These pictures are usually Those who want to take truly taken using a macro lens with a DSLR or incredible images tend to like macro mirrorless camera (Mathur, 2014; photography. Capturing objects to make Needham, 2019). them look much bigger than they really are

Figures 20-22: Enlarged images of microscopic organisms (Needham, 2019).

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Event photography is a wide and popular niche that includes many specific kinds of events, such as concerts, birthdays, corporate meetings, and weddings. It usually involves a mix of different photography techniques as you may be taking pictures of everything from h. Event Photography people and their candid moments to the venue and the food (Mathur, 2014).

Figures 23-25: Images of events (Mathur, 2014).

i. Fashion Photography body shots (Zand, 2017). However, it can also involve some portrait shooting. For Fashion photos typically feature decades it has remained one of the most supermodels and celebrities in high- lucrative niches, thanks to the demand for fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories. it in advertising and marketing (Peres, Due to the need to showcase the outfits, 2008). this niche usually involves a lot of full

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Figures 26-28: Images of fashion (Zand, 2017).

j. Concert photography photographers work freelance and are contracted through an artist or their Concert photography focuses on management to cover a specific show. capturing candid images of both the artist Concert are often used to or band as well as the atmosphere promote the artist or band in addition to (including the crowd). Many of these the venue (Schewe, 2012).

Figures 29-31: Images of concerts (Schewe, 2012).

k. Crime scene photography

Crime scene photography consists robberies and murders. A of photographing scenes of crime such as camera or an infrared camera may be used to capture specific details (Mathur, 2014).

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Figures 32-34: Images of crime scenes (Mathur, 2014).

l. Newborn Photography that come with it. Aside from newborns being very fragile, their eyes are sensitive Newborn, baby, or infant to light, so you’ll need to get the right gear photography is essentially the same as and learn how to use your camera to make portrait photography, but we’re listing it as the most out of the available light its own niche due to the unique challenges (Campbell, 2005; Mathur, 2014).

Figures 35-37: Images of newborns (Campbell, 2005)

m. Street Photography theme or topic. The best part is that you can use different types of for This is a unique genre in street photography (Belisle, 2013). photography that documents the human condition and captures unplanned events Usual subjects include street vendors, as they unfold, usually with no central street food, children, graffiti artworks, and

122 Ebonyi Journal of Science, Volume 3, Number 1, March 2020 a lot of concrete, sometimes in black-and- highlight or portray the reality of the white. They don’t necessarily have to be outside world (Marc-Olivier, 2011). taken in the streets, as long as they

Figures 38-40: Images of streets (Belisle, 2013).

n. Photojournalism Photojournalists create pictures that contribute to the news media, and help Photojournalism is a particular communities connect with one other. form of photography (the collecting, Photojournalists must be well informed editing, and presenting of news material and knowledgeable about events for publication or broadcast) that employs happening right outside their door. They images in order to tell a news story. It is deliver news in a creative format that is now usually understood to refer only to not only informative, but also entertaining still images, but in some cases the term (Marc-Olivier, 2011). also refers to video used in broadcast journalism (Oloruntimilehin, 2018). Photojournalism is a vocation that Photojournalism is distinguished from typically covers specific scenes and stories other close branches of photography (e.g., for the news. It uses elements of street documentary photography, social photography to take objective photos that documentary photography, street are more historic in scope. And because photography or celebrity photography) by they tend to get published in newspapers, complying with a rigid ethical framework professional photojournalists get paid a which demands that the work be both good amount of money for their work, honest and impartial whilst telling the particularly if they are affiliated with story in strictly journalistic terms newspapers, magazines, book publishers, (Needham, 2019). or certain agencies and organizations. Paparazzi is a form of photojournalism in

123 Ebonyi Journal of Science, Volume 3, Number 1, March 2020 which the photographer captures candid Photojournalism is another niche images of athletes, celebrities, politicians, where it becomes crucial to capture not and other prominent people (Mathur, necessarily picture-perfect shots, but those 2014). candid moments that best tell the story.

Figures 41-44: Images of news (Belisle, 2013).

o. Documentary that cover social and political problems Photography that are a lot more historically significant (Krebs, 2004). They capture raw emotion These include photographs of in real-life situations and significant historic events such as war, independence moments in time. Images tend to be given and other socio-political issues. These more universal captions as they don’t brave war photographers of the press are merely cover local rallies or any other part of the documentary photography celebrity (Belisle, 2013). niche, along with other photojournalists

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Figures 45-50: Images of anniversaries/ documentaries (Belisle, 2013).

p. Stock Photography for specific uses. Although it’s been around since the advent of photography, Stock photography is another the market for stock photos has increased growing niche among today’s professional significantly due to the growing demand photographers. Stock photographers for it in blogs, websites, and for digital supply and sell photos that will be licensed marketing purposes (Campbell, 2005).

Figures 51-53: Stock photographs (Campbell, 2005).

q. Weather Photography hailstorms, and even thunderstorms (Mathur, 2014). Many photographers Weather photography is basically around the world chase life-threatening outdoor photography that mainly storms to capture the beauty of what we showcases different—usually harsh and are usually quick to hide and run away extreme—weather conditions, such as from (Belisle, 2013). hurricanes, snowstorms, sandstorms,

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Figures 54-56: weather images (Belisle, 2013).

r. Architectural companies, and potential investors. It’s a Photography mix of artistic and technical skills and may involve some serious knowledge in the Photos of the exteriors and interiors elements of art and proper composition of buildings and other structures can be of (Marc-Olivier, 2011). great use to designers, architects, leasing

Figures 57-59: Images of buildings (Marc-Olivier, 2011).

s. Long Exposure This genre crosses over to photography and , which can result in incredible light streaks, Long exposure photography starbursts, and stunning gradients (at the involves making use of your camera’s very least) in what appears to be a dull technical abilities to hold the shutter open black sky in real life (Needham, 2019). It for longer periods of time—which allows also includes the use of an ND filter during you to capture surreal images that we daytime to capture velvety smooth lakes won’t ever get to see with the naked eye. and frothy rivers (Mathur, 2014).

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Figures 60-63: Images of natural changes in weather (Mathur, 2014).

3.0 Tabulation and Discussion of profession in Nigeria. Three hundred Challenges of Photography in Nigeria popular professionals were selected for the study from five different states in Nigeria. Perspectives of professional The following table shows the collated photographers were obtained so as to responses from the various professionals. determine the overall challenges of the

Table 1: Socio- demographic characteristics of respondents

Variable Frequency Percentage

Sex:

Female 126 42

Male 174 58

Total 300 100

Age:

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20-30 yrs 83 27.67

31-40 yrs 117 39.00

41yrs and above 100 33.33

Total 300 100

Job specification:

Photojournalism 65 21.66

Documentary photographer 28 9.33

Landscape photographer 15 5.00

Still life photographer 2 0.67

Wildlife photographer 14 4.67

Newborn photographer 2 0.67

Street photographer 3 1.00

Portrait photographer 27 9.00

Food photographer 3 1.00

Macro photographer 2 0.67

Event photographer 48 16.00

Fashion photographer 51 17.00

Stock photographer 4 1.33

Weather photographer 2 0.67

Architectural photographer 32 10.60

Long exposure 2 0.67 photographer

Total 300 100

Place of practice:

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Public sector 176 58.67

Private sector 124 41.33

Total 300 100

Length of practice:

< 5yrs 58 19.33

5-10 yrs 131 43.67

10 yrs and above 111 37.00

Total 300 100

From Table 1, out of the three photography (17%); event photography hundred respondents interviewed, 126 of (16%); architectural photography them were females while 174 were males. (10.66%) and Portrait photography (9%). Most of the respondents were in the age Landscape and wildlife bracket of 31-40 years, followed by those photography had 5% and 4.67%, between 41years and above which respectively. Most of the respondents were accounted for 100 respondents. However, in the public sector (58.67%) while the rest 83 respondents were between the ages of were in private sector (41.33%). Majority 20 and 30 years. In terms of job of the respondents (43.675) had between 5 description, all the areas of photography and 10 years of work experience or length were duly represented. The highly of practice; 19.33% of them had less than populated areas were photojournalism 5 years of practice while 37% had from 10 (21.66%); Fashion years and above.

Table 2: Challenges of photography in Nigeria

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S/No. Item Frequency Percentage Rank

1 Poor funding 57 19.00 3

2 Insecurity 93 31.00 1

3 Cybercrime 45 15.00 4

4 Inadequate technology 66 22.00 2

5 Lack of local content 24 8.00 5

6 Unstable governance/ 15 5.00 6 politics

Total 300 100

From Table 2, insecurity which they could not get to. In some countries, was agreed to by 31% of the respondents drones are employed. Thirdly poor funding appears to be the greatest challenge facing (19%) is another big challenge most of the professionals. This is due to encountered by these professionals. Due to the fact that the areas where they cover are lack of funds, the expected coverage is generally prone to crises. For instance either not achieved or seriously delayed. those that have been covering the pace or Cybercrime (15%) poses challenges to the trend of the war against insurgence in the professionals because sometimes, their North have either lost their lives or intellectual property is lost to such maimed beyond recovery. In some cases, criminals who sell them off as impostors, their equipment had been either seized or thus violating their copyrights. Lack of damaged or lost. Secondly, inadequate local content (8%) and unstable technology (22%) is another challenge. governance/ politics (5%) are other challenges. Sometimes, Nigerians prefer Respondents stated that due to poor photographs with foreign content and this technology, sophisticated equipment leads to loss of foreign exchange and required to achieve certain tasks were not discourages the professionals. Politicians available. Such equipment could be used chose who their personal photographers to take aerial photographs of places that

130 Ebonyi Journal of Science, Volume 3, Number 1, March 2020 will be and by so doing, they discriminate Inc. pp. 258–59. ISBN 978-0-486- against most experienced professionals. 23586-8.

4.0 Conclusion Krebs, R.E. (2004). Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions, The practice of photography in and Discoveries of the Middle Nigeria has a lot of advantages to the Ages and the Renaissance. Greenwood socio-cultural, socio- political and socio- Publishing Group. p. 20. economic development of the nation if all ISBN 978-0-313-32433-8 the major challenges are addressed. Litchfield, R. (1903). Tom Wedgwood, the First Photographer: An Account of References His Life. London, Duckworth and Anderson, J., & Anderson, B. (Spring Co. See Chapter XIII. 1993). "The Myth of Persistence of Marc-Olivier, P. (1 February 2011). Vision Revisited". Journal of Film Synthesis photography and and Video. 45 (1): 3–12. Archived architecture. Imagina. Monaco. from the original on 20 November Archived from the original on 16 2019. January 2020. Belisle, B. (2013). "The Dimensional Mathur, P, K.S (6 March 2014). Image: Overlaps In Stereoscopic, Developments and Changes in Cinematic, And Digital Depth". Science Based Technologies. Film Criticism. 37/38 (3/1): 117– Partridge Publishing. p. 50. 37. ISBN 9781482813982. Retrieved Campbell, J. (2005). Film and cinema 20 November 2019. spectatorship: melodrama and Needham, J. (2019). Science and mimesis Archived 29 April 2016 at Civilization in China, vol. IV, part the Wayback Machine. Polity. p. 1: Physics and Physical 114. ISBN 0-7456-2930-X Technology (PDF). p. 98. Archived Eder, J.M. (1945). History of from the original (PDF) on 8 Photography, 4th. edition September 2019. [Geschichte der Photographie]. New York: Dover Publications,

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