Business Opportunities in Digital Photography - By Daniel Ochefu
When digital photography was first introduced into the Nigerian market a few years ago, it was seen as a thing of class as the price of printing photographs digitally was higher relative to the more popular mode. But those in the business say it is one of the most lucrative businesses today, as it has become the rave of the moment and relatively easy to start. In the view of those who are currently deploying the digital technology in photography, many people are now embracing it.
There are reports that producers of photography films abroad are currently reducing their production capacities due to the drop in demand for such films for photography purposes.
Digital photography is a technology in photography that uses computers and other technology accessories to produce more quality pictures.
Experts say it does not need the use of negative films or dark rooms, as would the analogue system. They say the only dark room is one�€™s laptop where he could edit photographs.
One amazing phenomenon about the applications of digital pictures, according to experts in the business is the quality and durability of the pictures. They say a hard copy of a digital picture is a product of a process called �€˜thermal dye sublimation�€™ and this makes the pictures coated, thus, making them water-proof.
The normal colour laboratories from where pictures are usually printed have also been observed to be gradually replacing their equipment with digital tools to enable them deliver digital photographs. And this, photographers say, is an indication that the demand for analogue pictures is on the decline.
According to them, digital pictures have been proved to have a life span of over fifty-two years without alterations on the surface, whereas, analogue pictures are usually affected by water and heat. They say photography could be taken to a new level by the digital technologyas a person�€™s creativity is enhanced by the application on offer
Experts say many people are increasingly embracing digital photography now because it is quick, a feature they say, gives it an edge over the conservative analogue photography.
Niyi Ibrahim, a Civil Engineering graduate from the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho in Oyo State, is a photographer and the Technical Director, Water Page Nigeria Limited, in Lagos. He says the opportunity for making handsome income from digital photography still lies untapped.
He says, There are lots of open doors to be self-reliant in digital photography. The market is not saturated yet. I wanted to work in a big multinational corporations like every Nigerian graduate naturally would, but I looked inwards, took out time to learn the technology, and I have no regrets today. Infact, when I started, I was gate-crashing for almost one year, in other words, I would attend events in places as far as Abuja uninvited.�€
Niyi now runs a training centre in digital photography and he says it takes only a few days to learn the trade. He says with about N12, 000, a fresher would be adequately equipped with the necessary skills to begin the business.
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